Ohio

Yesterday we went to Bowling Green to help Pat load his things into his moving truck. He is moving to Texas to pursue his doctorate. We will miss you Pat! We finally live fairly close to him (3 1/2 hours away) and now he is moving!

We had a fun and fast trip. We left yesterday morning. Got there and checked into the hotel. The kids and I stayed there while Rob helped out Pat.

When they were done we took a tour of the Bowling Green State University campus. It was fun to see where Pat has been the past 5 years. The classroom we were in was one that Pat actually taught in. We were laughing because it was so small plus it had a mirror on the back wall. Pat would be teaching and he could see himself in the mirror. Knowing Pat, that was probably very distracting!

I loved that cool "man" statute. It was all muddy by is so it was a quick picture. I was bummed because it would have been neat to get lots of pictures of the kids on him. When Jude saw the statute he started to run towards it yelling, "MAN."

Then we had to get a picture of Jude on Pat's shoulders wearing his BGSU shirt. Gabe was given the shirt by Pat when he was 2 and now Jude wears it. I loved looking at gabey-gabe when he was two years old. Such a cutie!

We got some pizza that night and took it to the hotel. It was so yummy! When Pat got in the car with the pizza Jude said, "Pat, pizza good." He is so funny!

We also went swimming at the hotel pool which was fun. It was a great trip and we were happy to finally see Bowling Green!

The Best Gift Ever!

Crying after receiving the letters
Calling my mom

Reading the letters

My husband is the most thoughtful, amazing, selfless, and caring man I know! As all of you know I decided a few months ago to apply for graduate school at Valparaiso University. And a little after that I found out I was admitted to the Clinical Mental Health Program. It was an interesting time for me. I had so many emotions. I was excited, terrified, proud, scared, happy and a lot of "what did I get myself into" talk. I expressed to Rob often my anxieties of taking this next step in my life. And this thoughtful man of mine, without my knowledge, called my mom to talk to her about it. He asked her if she would ask people I know to write a little note in a card and give it to me. Of course my mom was happy to do this. It has been 2 months in the making and today I received a stack of letters that my mom had sent to Rob. So sneaky. And Rob presented them all to me. I was in tears. First, I could not believe that I had no clue about this. Second, I was so happy that I married a man who is so thoughtful and considerate. He is always there for me but knew it would be good for me to hear words of encouragement from others. And third I was so grateful for my mom who went all around town to ask those who know me to write a little bit of inspiration. Most of the people have known me my whole life. Oakesdale is a small town of about 500 people. I now feel like I have the whole town cheering me on in this endeavor just like I did when I was in sports. I am so happy I was raised in a small town where everyone knows everyone. And so thankful for a loving husband who knows my needs and a mother who is willing to do anything for me! I am so lucky and blessed.

Porter County Fair

Went to the Porter County Fair today with my friend Larua and her five kids. It was a blast. Here are the highlights.

1. Went on the swings. All the kids loved them. I wasn't sure how Jude would do so I went by him. Concentrated so hard not to throw up. I still feel sick!

2. Jude got to sit on a little tractor.

3. The Eagle Owl. I was obsessed with it! There were also Eagles and Owls. But the combination of the two was fierce! I think it is all the Harry Potter reading I am doing.

4. My three little pigs!

5. All of the fun animals the kids saw. Bunnies, cows, pigs, horses, cats, dogs, goats, sheep. You know, all the barnyard ones!

6. Tried to get a picture of all 8 kids by a cool thresher. Sibley would not cooperate. So her friend was out of the picture too trying to get Sibley to come back.

7. Sibley was in the little barrel train. Which by the way she went under the ropes to sit on. But it was too cute of a picture opportunity.

8. The firemen gave out stickers, pencils and a coloring book. Plus the kids got to sit in the truck. Fun for them and great for pictures!

9. It was free! If you go before 1pm. Which somehow made it all more enjoyable! We might have to go back soon. I saw some kettle korn with my name on it.

Gabe turns the big 7

Sears Tower

Right below the Sears Tower
View of the lake from the top of the Sears Tower

More of Chicago

The kids checking out the view

Gabe finally on a skyscraper

Downtown Chicago

So scary. The ledge 103 floors high.

Loved the ledge!

The kids at the top. Gabe wanted a candy. Don't blame him, we were starving.

Tiger at the zoo.

Gabe loving his burger

My Chicago dog and Rob's polish dog. Mine was better!

Flamingo's

Sibley, Alisse and Gabe. Sibley was mad because she wanted her own picture. She will do that with her arms when she is so angry.

Birthday Boy

Happy now

Ape

Rhino

I don't know what this was but they liked it.

All five of us. Sibley was hiding.

Gabe's Spongebob cake from DQ.

Happy Birthday!

One present from us was a football. I think Gabe liked it.

Today Gabe turned seven. It is hard to believe. Since this year was a family party we decided to take the kids to Chicago. We first went to the Sears Tower and then met Andra and Ben and their kids at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

What we planned

1. Go to Sears Tower and ride the fast elevators up and see the view and be done in 30 minutes.

2. Go to Lou Malinati's Pizza Place.

3. Go to the Zoo.

4. No fighting or sad faces.

What really happened

1. Went to the Sears Tower. This trip was a surprise for Gabe. So we told him where we were going about 10 minutes before we got there. Found out once we got there that it would be 2 1/2 hours until we made it to the top. That is right 2 1/2 hours! We bought non-refundable tickets the night before so we knew we were going to go.

2. The kids were pretty good for the long waiting in lines to get to the top.

3. Once there they were happy and they had no fear when going out on the all glass ledge where you can see 103 floors below to the ground.

4. Finally left and were starving and excited for pizza.

5. Went to the Lincoln Park area to Lou Malinati's and realized there was a festival going on and there was no parking anywhere.

6. Finally got to the zoo at 2pm and we were starving.

7. Ate at the zoo. Pretty good and everyone was much happier after that.

8. Had a blast at the zoo seeing Andra and her family and the kids all had a good time together too.

9. Today went to church and had ice cream cake from Dairy Queen after lunch. Then opened presents before dinner.
10. Gabe was happy and had a good birthday.

We love you so much Gabe!