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.

46 Years and Still Dancing, Like Fred & Ginger

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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.

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!!

Jack & Nanna at the Water Pad

The Pleasantdale Park District, in one of their parks, has what they call a Water Pad. This is an area with no standing water, and numerous water jets. Some are stationary and some move from place to place.


Initially, Jack was reluctant to join in the fun. After watching the other young people, he finally got with the program.


Both Jack and Nanna seemed to really enjoy it.


It was really a great way to spend a morning on one of the dog days of August.

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.