Sunday, September 8, 2013

Isaac's birthday wish.


Poem, by Lincoln.


First day of school and a visit to the ER.

Laura, before her first day at HIGH SCHOOL.  

 Boys are not too thrilled...

 ...but trying to muster some enthusiasm.




 After school, Noelle showed us a bunch of red spots on her legs.  They looked like broken blood vessels.  After dinner, her feet began to swell so that it hurt to walk.  Eventually we had to take her to the ER.  Here is a picture of her at 11:30 PM, smiling because I wanted to take a picture.
 Her diagnosis:
It was totally random, and she recovered very quickly.  No big deal.  Phew.

So many things wrong about this picture.



Nauvoo Pageant and Chicago Mini Vacation Pix

In July, we went to visit Lincoln at scout camp, and then immediately left him there to go on a super fun vacation.  The only rule:  We couldn't do anything that Lincoln would want to do, which meant that we could spend endless amounts of time at the American Girl Store.  Here are some of the highlights:
 The lone picture of Lincoln.
 Noelle, clinging to me at the campsite.  She was terrified of all the bugs.
 The campsite was in Nauvoo, Illinois this year.  Before we drove to Chicago, we decided to attend the Nauvoo pageant.  We've lived in Iowa for 11 years, and NEVER been to the pageant before.
 Noelle made a little pioneer "doll" with a cotton ball and fabric.  
 Isaac made this weird thing.
 Steve pulled all our kids and one random stranger kid in this handcart.
 Laura, looking super charming.
 Lots of singing.  Lots of dancing.  Lots of dramatization, which is why we have avoided the pageant in years past.
 But all in all, it was okay.  And Noelle loved the temple and the occasional pink dresses worn by the cast members.
 The next day we went to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago.  We saw lots of animals.  














 The third day was spent in downtown Chicago along Lake Michigan.






 Finally, FINALLY, we appeased the six year-old and made our way to the American Girl Doll store.  
 Holy Happiness.

 Isaac was almost a good sport.
 Legos, legos, legos.  Luckily Lincoln has outgrown legos or this store would have been a no-no.

 And the Hershey's store as a nice finale to the day.
 Fine cuisine on the drive home.