smarty pants [continued]

Blake got these letters in the mail from his great aunt Trudy. I tried to catch him saying his letters on video but he was too interested in the camera, but here's a little bit! We think he's pretty smart for being one and a half... but doesn't every parent think that!? =)

Chicago Day 2

Another great day in Chicago! Above is a picture of Michigan Avenue where we spent a lot of my birthday shopping.


Lunch at Ed Debevic's- a 50's style diner where the waiters and waitresses are supposed to be rude. It was hilarious!! Nolan got picked on quite a bit, I think the waitress called him a jerk 3 times while we were there. All in good fun...



An evening spent walking the Navy Pier.


Millennium Park, look closely and you can see the face is 'spitting' water out of his mouth. We sat and watched the faces and colors of the fountain both last night and again tonight. We head home tomorrow morning but sure have had a great time!!

and the answer is...

The hints that Nolan gave me about my birthday surprise led us to CHICAGO! We are staying at the Kimpton Allegro hotel in downtown Chicago! We are having a blast and enjoying our time together. Brenna came along with us, and Blake is enjoying a weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Glace!


This is the view from the top of the Sears Tower. It was amazing.


And you can't be in Chicago without eating the world famous Chicago style pizza. This pizza is from Giordano's Pizza, voted America's best pizza by NBC's Today Show... we agreed!!! Nolan plans on eating some of the leftovers for breakfast- I think I will stick with something a little lighter first thing in the morning! UGH! More pictures from day 2 tomorrow.

birthday hints

My birthday is on Saturday, the big 2-5! If you recall from last years birthday post, my husband is very good at planning my birthday celebration. He gave me a couple hints about what we will be doing for this years celebration and I figured it out, can you? (if I've already told you, don't ruin the surprise for others)

Hint #1: Allegro


__________________________________________________

If you can't figure it out from hint #1, here's the second...

Hint #2: Kimpton


I'm so excited, I'm sure I'll have plenty of pictures to post after the weekend!!!

this weekend in pictures

We had a great weekend and I thought I would share it with you through pictures.



Friday night we went to a birthday party for one of Blake's little friends. It was at his grandparents farm and this is a picture of our family on the hay ride. Blake loved it, Brenna fell asleep.



Saturday we headed to my parents house. My sister Emily and her family were also there. Here is cousin Ellie holding Brenna.



Blake and Grandpa at the park.


Miss Brenna ready for church. Her Great Aunt Warrene sent her the pearl necklace. Adorable!

blake's toy envy...

Brenna's Toy:



Daddy's Toy:

new job

Well, I am officially going to be a Panther once again! I recently accepted a position at the University of Northern Iowa. One of my former professors contacted me a couple weeks ago and asked if I would be interested in coming on board with him at UNI. I was honored that kept me in mind several years after graduating and starting in the spring semester I will become Director of UNI's Kindergym program.

I will be instructing a class of college students, who will in turn will teach and instruct children, ages 2-5, once a week on various physical skills. I am thrilled to be back at UNI and excited to work with college students and children in a profession that I love!

Another great thing about my new position: I still get to be a stay at home mom, the greatest job of all! My position at UNI will take very limited time away from my family- who could ask for more?!

With that, I leave you all today by saying.... GO PANTHERS!