Wrigley and Soldier Field in the same weekend?!?!

Yes, my husband was, indeed, in sports fan heaven. Not only did he and Owen get to watch the Bears practice at Soldier Field, it just so happened that the Iowa Cubs were playing a game at Wrigley Field that weekend, too. I, of course, thought this was too much to pack into one weekend but what do I know? Cody really wanted to take advantage of this because, like the Bears game, it was a cheap way to take Owen to Wrigley Field.

Ginna got to join in on the fun this time around.

Are they cute or what?

The next couple of pictures are a prime example of what we are going through these days in trying to get a good picture of Owen. Kid will not look at the freaking camera to save his life. Drives me nuts!

Oh well, at least that's a good one of Matt and Gianna! The real reason Cody wanted to go to this game was because after the game was over, all the kids in attendance got to run the bases. Yeah, Owen was excited about it but Cody was over the moon.

"I got to touch the ivy," was all he kept telling me. I'm surprised he was able to concentrate long enough to get pictures of the kids running the bases. I'm also surprised he didn't just take off and run with them!

The kids were allowed to run from first to home and then they were done. Come on, do you think that stopped our Owen? Of course not! He kept right on running, rounding home and making his way back to first! Here he is being instructed to go back to his father, that man over there who is drooling over the ivy and trying to think of a way to take some of it home, too busy to collect his son once he got to home base.

Once again, a good time was had by all. I'm just not sure who had more fun--the die-hard-Cubs-fans Daddies or the kids!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

While we were on vacation in St. Louis we were finally able to check out the new Busch Stadium. I almost didn't go because I was afraid to leave Cameron since he wasn't in the best of moods, but I'm so glad Grandma insisted I go! The stadium was awesome! I was a little upset when I heard they were building a new one because I hate change and I am sentimental with everything...even baseball fields. But this park really won me over! It has an old-time feel with all the modern conveniences, including escalators! I hated when we had high seats at the old stadium and had to walk up all those ramps!

Since Steve Glodo was running the show, we made it to the stadium pretty early and had plenty of time to check things out before the game started. We stopped for a few photos outside:

Owen and Stan the Man

Being that this was Owen's first MLB game, I wasn't sure how he would do so I thought I should bring plenty of ammunition to fight boredom. I thought a backpack would be easiest to carry around but forgot to bring one. Fortunately, Maddy came to my rescue:

That's right, I rocked the Hannah Montana!

Third Base Entrance

All around the stadium there are plaques like these:

They were designed by one of my friends from college, Gabe Drueke, who is also from Southern Illinois. I had heard all about them but I was so excited to be able to see them firsthand! I was so impressed with what a great job he did!

Maddy had a gift card to Build-A-Bear and they happened to have one inside the stadium. So she took advantage of the situation and made her own Fred Bird.

The funny thing about this is that if the real Fred Bird comes within 100 feet of her she is consumed with fear and will not go anywhere near him.

We had great seats along the third baseline and took a little time to hang out by the dugout before the game to watch batting practice and possibly score some autographs. Unfortunately, we had no luck with the autographs but Owen still enjoyed himself.



One of my favorite things about the new stadium is how open it feels. You can see right into it from the street and inside, you have an awesome view of the city:

We were even lucky enough to find ourselves on the jumbo-tron:

Yes, that's me taking a picture of myself on the jumbo-tron. I was actually trying to get a picture of Owen and Cody on there because the guy got a great close-up of them, but I was too late and got myself instead!

Alas, the Cards couldn't pull out a win for us but a great time was still certainly had by all! And Maddy and Owen were just happy they got to spend a little time with their Grandpa.

Vacay in the Lou

This year we decided to take our family vacation in St. Louis, where my brother lives. Grandma and Grandpa came up from Murphysboro and we all stayed at Uncle Josh and Aunt Angie's house from Friday to Wednesday. Everyone but Cameron thought this was a great idea. He did NOT enjoy the sleeping arrangments made for him and decided it might be best to give his brother a run for his money on that whole screaming-louder-than-a-howler-monkey thing. I'm pretty sure Cameron won, hands-down. And I'm pretty sure Uncle Josh would agree with me. So, I did something I have NEVER done, swore I would NEVER do, and swear I will NEVER do again...I slept in a bed with him. Never say never, right? While I did enjoy my baby boy cuddling up next to me and falling asleep, I only enjoyed it for about 10 minutes. This Mama needs her rest and she can't get it sleeping with a toddler!

Cameron's mood on this trip was unfavorable, to say the least. We thought it might be teeth, then we thought it might be his ears, but now we think we have come to the general conclusion that he just likes to be at home in his own space, in his own bed, where there are no crowds. I also think he is getting into that whole separation anxiety stage when we put him to bed at night, which would explain the incessant screaming. I'm happy to say that while it is not completely eradicated, it is way lessened and everyone is sleeping in their own quarters. We've had a few rough nights but it hasn't been nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

Of course, the downside to this is that I am now completely terrified to ever travel with him again. I worry about what this means for him as he grows and fear that he is going to be painfully shy around most people. Come on, did you really think I wouldn't try to turn this in to some sort of life-altering situation? You all must know me better than that! ;)

Anyway, enough of my babbling, if you've even made it this far. Let's get on with some pictures.

Our first stop was the zoo. Why are there no pictures of the zoo, you ask? That would be because we never got out of the car. We drove around numerous places in Forest Park looking for a parking place and after many "You-ees from St. Louie" on my dad's part, we never found one. It was crazy busy there so we decided to head to Grant's Farm instead. This was not before Owen cried because we told him we were going to the zoo, he saw the zoo, and then 10 minutes later we told him we were leaving said zoo.

We finally made it to Grant's Farm and checked out the World Famous Clydesdales before heading in:




It is taking everything I have to avoid any references to Owen having his picture taken with a horse's butt. ;) So I'll just digress...

As we were crossing the street to the entrance the crossing guard welcomed Cody and told him that "we have lots of great t-shirts available for purchase in our General Store." You guessed it, Cody wore a Cubs shirt in Cardinal territory and it only took about 10 minutes for someone to notice. There's not much we could do since 75% of his t-shirts have some reference to the Cubs on them.

Once we got in, we stopped to pose for a family photo. Well, a most-of-the-family photo. Danielle wasn't able to make it with us and Josh and I were taking the picture. You can see good evidence of Cameron's overall mood if you look at my brother's version of this picture on his blog.


We then headed over to the carousel, where Owen and Maddy rode with Grandma, all in their matching shirts that Grandma got them.

Cameron sat on the side-lines and watched with wide-eyed wonder as they went 'round and 'round. It was one of the few times during the day that he was actually content.

Then we checked out lots of animals, like cool birds:

And big 'ol turtles:

Of course, the highlight of the trip was the new Elephant show, featuring Bud the Elephant.

Be sure to read my brother's lovely recap of this show when you head over to his blog.

After a long, hot day, and a long, hot wait in the line to catch the tram back to the parking lot, we were finally on the tram headed home. No one was happier to hear that than our sweet, little Cameron, who was tired of being cooped up in his stroller all day:

Of course, this was not before someone decided it would be a great idea to purchase harmonicas for Owen and Maddy. By the end of the night, we were all regretting that idea. And we weren't the least bit upset when Owen's harmonica was lost at Uncle Josh's and still has not resurfaced.

Stay tuned for more pictures!

Another Fun Vacation with the Elricks & the Calverts

This year marked our second trip to the Ozarks with my two best friends and their families. I think it was even better than last year! We had a weekend jam-packed with fun stuff including shopping for ladies, fishing for the guys, a water park, and Miner Mike's. The kids had a great time together and kept us on our toes all weekend. I had a hard time choosing a few pictures so get ready for a picture overload!

Just a boy fishing with his daddy.

Good buds, Logan and Owie

Dusty, Logan, Jack, and Ted

Owen and his beloved "Cars" fishing pole. He keeps telling people that he caught a worm. ;)

Molly, Chelle, and Logan being silly with his underwear on his head

Rub-a-Dub-Dub! Owen, Logan, and Madeline splish splashin'!

We managed to get a few more pictures of the adults this year as all we had last year were pics of the kids! Of course, Logan was in this one because he likes to stay up late with the grown-ups!

Molly and Ted relaxing.

The beautiful sunrise on the lake. The boys rented a pontoon boat to fish and headed out around 6am on Sunday morning.

Teddy and his fish. Or is that his bait? hee hee!

Dusty's fish next to the cooler to show you exactly how big it was. :)

The city boy with his first fish! That's right, my hubby had never been fishing before so he was determined to go this time around. I think Dusty got a kick out of "teaching" Cody how to fish.

When the guys got back, the older boys and Maddy got to go on the boat with the Mommies. Thanks to Uncle Ted for sticking behind with the younger napping boys.

Logan driving the boat.

Owen's turn!

And don't forget Jack-Jack!

A rare pic of Owen and Mommy.

Cameron hanging out in his stroller at the water park. He HATED the water. It also didn't help that he started cutting his first tooth while we were gone so he was a little crabby! But he did pretty well overall.

The happy boy in his stroller at Miner Mike's. Contrary to what the pictures seem to show, we did take him out of the stroller a few times over the weekend. :)

Cody, Owen, and Logan riding the bumper cars. As you can see, Owen couldn't drive so Cody had to hitch a ride and help him.

Maddy loved this car. Notice her pigtails--every morning her mommy would do them for her and then she'd come to us and say, "Look!" and just stand there until you told her how cute they were. Definitely a woman in training! :)

Jack claiming his loot.
Owen making Mason smile. He is such a little cutie!

Owen shows off all his tickets!

"Choo-choo!!!!"

We were sad to see the weekend come to end but I think maybe all the parents needed a vacation from our vacation! Can't wait for next year!