2008 Christgiving - Part 2

As promised, here are some of the present pictures from Christgiving...


Audrey got a big fluffy pink poodle as one of her gifts and she really seemed to love it.


In fact, Jackson seemed to like it, too.


Jackson got some cool ink stamp sets with stamps of bugs, farm animals and Africa animals. And he got a Richard Scarry book (I believe it was Richard Scarry's What Do People Do All Day).


Audrey also got some costume jewelry like this tiara...


...and this frilly pink tutu.


Finally, here is a picture of the four sibs. The last time we were all together was in December 2006, in the same pose. Jackson decided to get in on the fun this time.

Now I'm going to try going back to bed. I woke up at 3am and couldn't fall back asleep so I came to tinker on the computer.

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.

Jackson Discovers Hockey

The La Grange Park District sponsors a Saturday morning "Sports Buffet" to introduce young pre-schoolers to the various major sports. The first Saturday was "T-Ball" a baseball variation for young people. This was followed by "soccer", "basketball", and finally an indoor variant of hockey.

Jack's Navy Pier Adventure, July, 2008

The adventure began at the Stone Ave. station with a ride downtown on Metra.


From Union Station to Navy Pier via a Free-Trolley ride.


What kind of adventure would it be without some time spent with Thomas the Tank Engine?


"HEY NAN! Look, they have a carousel!!" (Editor's Note: Nan is Jack's new way of addressing Nana.)


We then spent 45 minutes on a cruise of the Lake Michigan shore line.
(It wasn't nearly as much fun as with Holland America!)


We then dined at Le Chez Arches.


We rested after lunch by sitting and admiring the Chicago skyline from Mr. Ferris' wheel.


As Boomp rested his feet, Nan and Jack visited the Chicago Children's Museum for the next two and a half hours. (Editor's Note: That's right. BOOMP is Jack's new way of addressing Boompa.)
They began with Jack pretending to be a fire fighter.


And what good is a fire fighter without his trusty Dalmatian Dog?


Then Jack brought his own kind of sunshine to Great-Grandma Shell's favorite, "The Sunflower".


With all the photo ops done, Jack proceeded to explore the worlds of Carpentry ...


Pipe Fitting ...


Archeology (searching for Bones!) ...


and Plumbing, so he can help his dad build the new addition.


Thoroughly exhausted, we all headed back to Union Station via a Water Taxi on the Chicago River.


As we traveled down the river, Jack leaned into me, rested his head on my belly, and said, "Boomp, someday I sure would like to see a collegiate hockey game, and ride on a real railroad train, with Nan, to California and visit with Great-Aunt Suzi."

... So he really didn't those things. So sue me; it's called Editorial License.

Our Iowa Vacation

The kids enjoyed swimming with Uncle Matt.


Lou and I took some time to visit the rose garden where we were married (almost ten years ago!). We brought Audrey along.






We ate pizza and yummy cupcakes at Bella's house in celebration of Aunt Julie's birthday. (Happy 39th again!)




The kid's toys had a party too!


Noah was a perfect angel...


and Bella even helped clean up... what good kids! Meanwhile, Jackson ate a cupcake.


To the delight of his tired parents, Jackson slept in!


We strolled over to take a closer look at a sculpture around the corner from the hotel.

Zoo with the Machs

Just posting a few shots from a recent trip to the zoo with the Machs.


Checking out the dolphins.


On to the playground.




Jackson, Charlie, and Christopher


Jackson, having some fun watering the plants (and Daddy) in the botanical center.

Jackson at school