Chicken-a-cago: Day 2

On our second day in Chicago, we took it pretty easy. Heath and uncle Mark to the waverunner out on the river early in the morning and the kids and I stayed back and took the morning pretty slow, which was nice. I was worried when we were planning the trip that it was going to be rushed and we'd be exhausted. We were still exhausted, but I think that was more from the traveling than the actual trip. When they got back, we headed to the new White Castle for some lunch...it's hard to go to Chicago and not have White Castle! And they put one a minute away from my mom and dad's townhouse!

In the afternoon, we headed to uncle Billy and aunt Mary's for dinner and to swim in their awesome pool! The kids had a lot of fun! They are both really comfortable in the water. Madelyn is a little more comfortable than I would like her to be. We'll have her in swimming lessons the day she turns 2! She likes to put her face in and blow bubbles. She's way ahead of Brody in that area! We have been working on that for a few months with him. The weather was georgous!

Water aeorbics Barbie!

Having fun swimming with Jillian and Emily! I used to take care of them all the time when I was Emily's age and now I have them to take care of my kids! I was 15 when Emily was born, and Emily is 13 now, so the age differance is very similar!

Trying to get a pic of all of them was a little difficult...the kids wanted to swim and not sit still for a picture!

Mmmm...dessert! You can't go to aunt Mary's house and not have dessert! Brody LOVED the cookie cake with the blue frosting! I made an awesome ice cream cake. It was a recipe that my mom found in a Paula Deen magazine. I can't find it on the internet, but it's definitely one that you have to plan ahead for...it was kind of a lot of work...but so worth it! If I get my hands on the recipe, I will post it here.

Madelyn and Papa!

Brody (aka Popeye) and Emily!

Brody and Madelyn LOVED their dog, Burhle. She is a sweet little dog, but I was sort of nervous about the kids being gentle enough with her...

 

Look at that sweet face! I think Madelyn made her a little nervous!

We had a great time, and we were so glad we got to see so many people on our quick trip! I wish we could make it up there more often, but with my lack of vacation days, and the 10+ hour drive to get up there, it is difficult to make it work as often as we'd like.