Chicago

Bryan had an anesthesia conference this weekend in Chicago, so we all tagged along and made a short vacation of it.

While Bryan presented at the conference, we hit the Shedd Aquarium. The sharks and sting rays were a big hit! (notice how Andrew and Kimball are holding hands until they realize they're caught on camera! HeHeHe!)

Shedd Aquarium Sharks from Summer Anderson on Vimeo.

My FAVORITE photo of the trip: Andrew's first glimpse of a shark at the Aquarium. I love his expression! We bumped into the Shupes at the Aquarium.

Logan, Kimball, Lakely, Andrew, and Gavin

The BeanMillenium Park Fountains

The kids loved splashing in the fountains. And yes, Hannah did fall and bonk her head pretty good at the end, but she's okay!

Millenium Park Fountain from Summer Anderson on Vimeo.

Hi Paiton!
The view from the top of the Sears Tower

Andrew and Bryan thought it was pretty funny to tease Logan with this toy. I know - mean!

ScaryToy from Summer Anderson on Vimeo.

Hannah and Daddy at the Hershey Store

Bryan was so excited to see the American Girls Store!Really, he was just excited to make fun of me as I oohhed and aahhed over all the dolls. (The Hershey's hat is a nice touch too, don't ya think?)Kirsten -my favorite! I received this doll for Christmas when I was around 10 years old. She's packed safely away in my parents' basement waiting for Hannah to be old enough to love her.

After such an action-packed day, the kids had had it by the time we made it to TGI Fridays for a late dinner. Our meals had barely arrived when Hannah and Logan both had meltdowns! There was a birthday at the table next to us, and when the servers finished singing to him, Logan burst into tears and sobbed, "People were shouting!" We left shortly after that. Hannah was asleep on my shoulder before we made it into to the hotel, and the other three crashed as soon at we got in the room. What a day!

Logan, Andrew, and Paiton, camping out on the hotel floor.

They're Back!!!

Look What Andrew found at Wal-Mart yesterday! It must just be a springtime thing! ...Or MAYBE my letter worked!

Easter Traditions

Saturday night egg dying
Finding hidden Easter baskets in the morning - Andrew's in the drawer of the coffee table

Logan found his basket behind the dining room door
Hannah's basket was behind the couch Both Nana and the Easter Bunny gave Hannah My Little Ponies. I thought she would just love them, but she was more interested in the Little Pony purse.
The Easter bunny likes to bring us "outdoor" gifts like sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and sand toys. The beautiful wrapped Easter gifts, "breakfast foods," and treats were from Nana and Papa. Thanks!
Dressing up all matchy-matchy for church. Enjoying a yummy Easter feast with friends.
I was dreaming of a beautifully laid table with pastel tablecloths, matching dishes and glassware, fresh spring flower arrangements for centerpieces, and handmade placecards but...
that wasn't exactly in the budget. So we had to make due with the red apple vinyl tablecloth I already had and mismatched dishes and plastic cups. (sigh) At least the food was yummy.

The Kids' Table - what a group!

At the Easter egg hunt, Andrew seemed fairly satisfied with his stash this year. At least I never heard him complain that it was "the worst Easter ever!"
Hannah didn't really get the egg hunt concept, of course, but she did look dang cute sitting in the grass with her new Easter basket, handpainted by Nana (thanks Mom)!
These last three pictures were from my friend, Meghan. So sweet! Her camera is much better than mine, obviously.

One of my favorite talks this last General Conference was an especially powerful message from Elder Holland. It seems very appropriate to share this time of year:

"Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. "

--Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

HAPPY EASTER!!!

I Melt For You!

I had to come up with a really "cheesy" title for this one!

Yesterday Bryan told me that he had a lecture/dinner at the hospital that spouses were invited to. Instead, he had gotten reservations at The Melting Pot to surprise me. I have been wanting to go to The Melting Pot for years - ever since the one in Salt Lake City opened - so I was so excited! Since we were at such a fancy-schmancy restautant, we were on our best behavior! Really, it was so nice to just sit, talk, look at each other, and eat our food without a highchair, kids menu, or crayons in sight!

The cheese fondue was awesome!

Quattro Formaggio Cheese Fondue
Fontina, Grùyere, and Gran Queso cheeses blended with roasted garlic, basil and tomato pestos and fresh mozzarella Perlini. -mmmm! (yes, that was straight from the menu. I know, I'm a nerd.)

A salad was the second course, followed by the entree (veggies, chicken, steak, salmon, and shrimp) which we cooked at our table. The best part was, of course, the dessert!
Our "Flaming Turtle" chocolate fondue (milk chocolate, caramel, and pecans) was delicious (and on fire!)

It was fun to do the whole 4-course meal, but I think if we ever go back, we will just order a cheese fondue and a chocolate fondue. Those were, by far, the best parts of the meal.

Thanks Babe! That was such a sweet, thoughtful surprise and I had a great time with you! THANK YOU, Carl and Nancy, for Bryan's birthday money that paid for it! And last but not least, THANK YOU, Shupes, for watching the munchkins! We don't get out just the two of us very often, so this was an extra special treat!

Ironic

This is what it looks like outside today. It's been snowing almost nonstop for two days.And this is what I received in the mail today.

I ordered them last week when it was 70 degrees outside. Spring can be so cruel sometimes.

P.S. These are the absolute BEST flip-flops on the planet - Skechers Heatwaves! They are so cute and comfy! I bought a pair two years ago and wore them almost every day from April-October for two years. They come out with new colors/designs every year. (These are last year's model, so I got them on clearance $15.00 @ 6PM.com) Do yourself a favor and get some! You wont be sorry...if the snow ever melts.

Potty Animal

Does this picture make you cringe? Yeah, me too! This is Hannah's favorite place to play. What is it with toddlers and toilets? I turn my back and a minute later, and I find Hannah splashing with glee. ICK! What's the draw, Hannah?! It's not like she can open the door herself though. I've hounded and hounded the boys a million times to, "PLEASE CLOSE THE DOOR WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH THE BATHROOM!" But apparently that's just not possible.

This afternoon, Hannah decided to bring the phone along. It went for a swim. It doesn't work now. This is the downside to having only a cell phone. We are going to let it dry out a few days and see if we can get it working again. Until then, if you need to reach us, email will probably be your best bet.

Oh no...I hear splashing...gotta go!

Bathroom Update

Well, we're down to the 2x4s and the subfloor in the bathroom.This is where the sink used to be. When Bryan pulled up the old tile floor, he found some of the subfloor near the tub was soft from water damage. So... now we have a hole in the floor too. This is about as wrecked as it can get. So I'm thinking it can only get better from here, right?
Since the bathtub is out of order, we've had to get a little creative with bathing the kids. The boys have had a few hose-downs in the big utility sink in the laundry room, and Hannah had a blast in the kitchen sink!
This is why you shouldn't bathe a one-year-old in the sink. When she wasn't splashing and standing up to look out the window, she was turning the water on and off and on and off. I guess I should have been more concerned about all the water sloshing out onto the counters, down the cupboards, and puddling on the floor. But then again, it's the closest thing to a mopping my kitchen floor has seen in a while, so...
Sorry about this last one; I just couldn't resisist!

April Foolin'

I got in the first prank of the day by adding a couple drops of food coloring to the boys' cereal bowls before filling them with cereal and milk. When Andrew stirred his cereal and the milk began to change color he said, "Wait a minute. What day is it?"

"APRIL FOOLS'!"

Don't worry, he got me back later by hiding my shoes in a place I would never find them: the closet!

Later that day, my little baking buddy helped me work on some yummy dinnertime pranks.

We used frosting, candy, and caramel topping to make cupcakes that looked like veggies and mashed potatoes. (I wish I could take the credit for this idea, but I found it in this book. I checked it out from the library, but I'm going to have to buy my own copy. Seriously the cutest cupcake ideas EVER!!!)

Since it was April Fools' Day, I let everyone eat their "dessert" first: ice cream sundaes made of popcorn chicken, corn, mashed potatoes, gravy, and a cherry tomato on top.I think Logan was a little confused about the whole thing. After taking a bite he said, "It's not ice cream, it's SMASHED POTATOES!"

After "dessert," we had "dinner."
Bryan loves him some mashed potatoes!
Even Andrew ate his veggies without complaining for once!