BOO at the ZOO, '08

With the Louis Shells sharing "digs" with the Grand Parent Shells, the need to get you young ones out of the house and into the fresh air had a high priority. We choose to go to the Brookfield Zoo and didn't even realize that it was the first Saturday of their annual "BOO at the ZOO!"
Editor's Note: Of course, this editor realizes that at least one of the kid's uncles would have identified this post as, "Boo and Audi at the Zoo, '08"



One of the most "nifty" items of recent times are the so called "Air Dancers." There were four located at the Roosevelt Pond. This one was the very best. (I wish I could find one like this from my front yard.)


There was a stage for thing to come later, but we would have to get Audi home for her nap.


What would a trip to zoo be without a photo at one of the "Stick Your Head Through" boards? Perhaps a styrafoam "critter!!"


Finaly, before we left, a photo of each child sitting upon one of the marble lions.


Editor's Note: As anyone with two children can tell you, there is no chance of photographing both youngsters on the lion at the same time. Also, Audi was asleep in the car seat before we got home.

46 Years and Still Dancing, Like Fred & Ginger

Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!

Weef -

There was an opportunity to add my own text to the ecard, but I guess I screwed it up.

Therefore: Happy Anniversary to my Weef!! I can't believe that 46 years have passed.

Then I look at the ages of our "children" and I guess that the numbers don't lie.

Your Hubsband

Happy 46th Anniversary, Mom & Pop

I think I posted this picture once before, but since it's Mom and Dad's anniversary, I figured I'd post it again.



I will add this picture, though. I don't think it's been posted yet. From Mom and Dad's 25th Anniversary.

Happy anniversary! Love you guys.

(Oh, and it's Barack Obama's birthday today, too. Happy Birthday, Barack.)

More cake? Yahoo!

Some shots from Boompa's birthday celebration below. Jack helped blow out the candles.

Audrey and Boompa

Someone besides Mama is holding Audrey, and she's not screaming. Yay Audrey!

Jack and Thomas - 2007

With over 40,000 tickets sold for this weekend, Friday was the best day of the three. We had a blue cloudless sky and temperatures in the mid-70s. It was a perfect day to share a morning with Thomas the tank engine.



The event was held at the Illinois Railway Museum located in Union, Illinois. There was Thomas "stuff" all over the place, like this image of Thomas made from Leggos.



We were able to take several photos of Jack along side of Thomas ...




... and ride in one of several old coach cars pulled by Thomas for a 20 min. ride.



(EDITOR'S NOTE: Located two cars behind the one from which this photo was shot was an 0ld diesel locomotive which did the actual pushing and pulling of Thomas' train.)

We saw posters of other friends of Thomas as well as clowns and other locomotives at this museum.



However, after a full morning with trains and Thomas, a wonderful lunch at Chez McDonalds, it was wonderful to just kick back, eat a chocolate chip cookie, and watch several episodes of Max and Ruby.



Ah yes!! Life is good!!

It's Too HOT!!!

Visiting Nanna and Boompa, on a very HOT day, no sandbox, no sprinkler, no walks to the park. Just the mundane play with toy trucks and "Thomas" toys on the family room coffee table. Hey! Let's do something special for lunch!!

Choo Choo Johnny's, located in Frankfort, is a child-oriented restaurant featuring a railroad train motif. The wait-people become your "engineers" and your food is brought to you on an electric train.

In addition to the action at counter level, there is a train and its tracks high on the wall which continuously circles the restaurant.


The wait-engineer unloads Jack's basket of "chicken rails" and fries.


We took a picture of our wait-engineer ...


... and she took a picture of us.


Boompa continues to perfect his ability to take a "LauBen" style photo. (I thought it came out alright.)


And to finish off the perfect lunch, some chocolate ice cream, and a ride on a Thomas style locomotive.