Chicago with Brian's Family

Brian and his family spent Saturday all day driving around and seeing their old stomping grounds in Chicago. They did a few touristy things, shopped, and had a great time.  

 Ann, Jonny, and Lauren

 Claire

 Downtown Chicago

 Brad and Lauren

 The Sears Tower has a place you can stand and look down.  I don't think I could have done it.  But they have no fear:).  

Claire, Steve, Donna, Roy, Lauren (Millie in Stroller), Brad, Jonny, Ann, (Taylor in stroller). Downtown Chicago.

By the Way

I love the blogger app. It makes posting so easy and fast.

Fun with Family

We had a lot of fun with Brian's family. Thursday some of us went to 6 Flags. Friday we went to Andre-Kohler state park. It was so much fun. The water wasn't even too cold (well, for Lake Michigan). There were some fun waves to play in, as well. We even buried all my kids. Here are some pictures.

Brewers game

We went to a Brewers cubs game today. It was so fun. The kids really had a great time. I was worried they would get bored, but with family, the sausage race, other entertainment, and a couple of home runs, it was very fun.

Lindsay's Birthday

Lindsay had a great birthday. We had a family party here, and she got to take a couple of friends to Build-a-Bear. She had a great time.

Kara's Birthday

Kara's birthday party was ice skating.  It was really fun.  She invited a few friends and had a great time.  Her ice skating lessons have really paid off.  She and Lindsay really did well with those. 

August 19, 2012

2012, August 19

Dear Family and Friends,

What a week.  We went school supply shopping and are now ready for school.  I am glad we went early enough to not have to go back to other stores to find everything on the list.  We also went to Kohls and bought the kids each one outfit and shoes.  I think we will wait until it starts to cool down to buy many long pants.  It seems like they usually go on clearance about the time we need themJ.

Lindsay had a birthday Friday.  She is now 7 years old.  I can’t believe it.  I remember when Mom and Dad came out to help out in time for her birth.  We ended up just playing and shoe shoppingJ.  Lindsay finally arrived the day they left.  At least they got to come see her at the hospital.  What a fun child she is to have in our family.  Saturday we went to Build-a-bear with a couple of her friends.  We had a great time, and they had fun building their bears.  Seth and Kara came along as well.  It was Seth’s first time, and he absolutely LOVED it.  The girls had a great time.  It was fun to watch them build their bears. 

I had another Norwex party, and now I have qualified (meaning I sold enough stuff not to have to pay for my startup kitJ).  So far I really like it.  I still really love the cloths.  They clean things pretty easily. I have three more parties for August, so hopefully it will end up being a good monthJ.

Saturday, we went on a bike ride as a family.  Our neighbor Don came along.  I am not sure he knew what he was getting into.  Matthew and his friend Andrew were riding bikes around in the driveway while Brian loaded up.  When we got to the trail, one of Matt’s bike tires was flat.  Luckily Brian had a patch kit with him to patch it up.  It lasted us through the bike ride, but the hole was by the air nozzle thing, so it is already flat again.  The bike ride was quite fun though.  The kids get better at riding every time we go.  I think next year Kara and Lindsay might be able to ride bikes themselves and we could put Seth on the Tag-a-long.  We ride about 2-2 ½ miles to a park, and then ride back.  It is along a trail, and it is quite pretty.  The kids love it. 

Last night, Kara had a bit of a rough time.  I think she was a little jealous that Lindsay’s birthday was better than hers.  Anyway, so I went up to talk to her after she had cooled off in her room.  I told her that It was a lifelong thing to learn to be happy with what you have, and not want what everyone else has.  So, we did an exercise of counting her blessings.  She was so sweet and the things she was most grateful for was a mom and a dad and great brothers and sisters.  When we were walking downstairs to dinner, she said she was sad for the people who didn’t have such a good family.  It is a good thing for me to remember, too. 

Love,

Brian, Martha and family

August 12, 2012

2012 August 12

Dear Family and Friends,

This was a good week.  We kept busy with playing and cleaning house and library and park and playing with friends. 

Saturday we went to the temple with another family in our ward.  The kids had such a great time playing with their kids.  We each have five children.  They were really great together.  I was worried they would get bored and not have fun, but it was so fun.  I hope we can go down and do it again next month.  I was pretty tired though, I think I will have to make sure I get better rest.  Otherwise it is so peaceful in the temple, and easy to be drowsy. 

My goal is to run some miles this week and see how I feel.  I have a few friends who might run a 5 miler next month.  Maybe I could work up to that.  I guess we will seeJ.

Brian biked to work and back Saturday.  He thinks it would be fun to do more often and during the week, but it is hard to figure out because it is a long enough trek that he would have to change clothes at work and he would be sweaty (I tell him the Norwex body cloths would fix that right up, but not sure that would fix the wrinkly clothesJ). 

We love you all, Love,

Brian, Martha and family

August 5, 2012

2012, Sunday August 5

Dear Family and Friends,

This week, I had 3 Norwex parties.  They went pretty well.  I am actually really excited about this.  It has been fun for me, and I think there might be really a potential to get somewhere with it.  I will see how it goes.  If I can find another person or two to host a party in Utah, I may be going to Utah in September, so if you are interested in hosting a party and you live in Utah, let me know.  I would send you a free envirocloth and window cloth to try beforehandJ. 

The kids had a great week.  We had a few playdates with friends.  We also went to the summer movie at the theater (it was $2 each), and we watched the lorax.  It was a cute movie.  It made me think that we could all do a little more to take care of the earth.  Saturday we went to 6 Flags Great America.  In February, the school had a program where if the kids read for 6 hours, they got free tickets to 6 Flags.  We had a great time.  It was super busy though.  I think next year, if they do the program again, we will see if Brian can take a day off work and go during the week.  The lines were pretty long (even for the kids rides there were some long lines).  We had a great time though.  In the middle of the day, it was pretty warm, so we took a break and went to the waterpark, and then we went back on more rides.  After the waterpark, it rained a little, and I thought a lot of people would leave, but there were still people there, and it cleared up and ended up being a really beautiful evening. 

Today, we were kind of tired because we were up so late and had such a busy day yesterday.  Maybe the kids will sleep in tomorrowJ.  Or maybe Elise will wake up at 6:30 like she did last week.

The girls have their last gymnastics class tomorrow.  Then, we have the rest of the summer to get ready for school to start and play with friends and swim.  I am looking forward to it. 

Love,

Brian, Martha and Family