Date Night!!

August 31st - Nels and I squeezed in a date night before the month was over.  We had a great time.  We began our date with a bike ride along the Fox River. 

We rode passed the Fabyan Windmill.  We pretended we were in Europe.  haha.

We rode across bridges.  It was such a pretty bike ride.  We rode up and down third street, trying to decide on a place to eat dinner.

We decided to try this BBQ Firewater restaurant.

I got the pulled chicken with bacon and fried pickles.  It was delicious.

Nels got the mac and cheese.  It was spicy!!!

We just talked, ate and watched a family with three kids and thought how nice it was to be alone.  haha.
We rode our bikes back to the car in the sprinkling rain.  We rode fast and dodged rain drops.  Then we drove our car back to the third street to the All Chocolate Kitchen.  Sensational Place.  So fun to look around and see all the cool stuff they have there.

For example this tree made out of Chocolate!!!

Paris Cake.

The star on the wall is made with 35 lbs of sugar!

There was also a $3,000 truffle!  They made the worlds largest candy cane - 50+ feet!
Then we ate the Devil's food cake - the same one the chocolate master made for Martha Stewart.  It was divine.

We were full of good food and just loved being together.  So glad we made a date happen in August!

Chicago!

Friday, August 23 -

We went to Chicago Premium Outlets from 10-12.  We shopped a bit and the kids played on the playground there.  Then we drove to Chicago.  Kari rode with me and my kids.  Nels had to work that day because the budget was due.  Poor guy!  He was crazy busy.  And believe me, we missed him on our outing!  

I'm glad that I went with all of the kids though.  We had a few rough spots, but overall it was a great adventure.  

We got to Chicago about 1:30 p.m.  

Our first stop was for food.  We tried out the new Nutella restaurant.

I ordered the baguette with nutella and nuts on top.  The baguette was so tough it was difficult to bite!    After we ate it the kids were all thirsty.  I got them waters.  Then I'm not quite sure what happened.  But huge meltdowns from two or more of my kids.  So I gathered them up and we marched out of Nutella.  I was so embarrassed and upset.  Adrenaline was pumping and I lifted my double stroller up four steps to get out the door.  Once outside, I lined them up along the wall of the building and explained that I needed them to be good and listen because daddy wasn't here to help--so I needed them to help me.  Thankfully, they /we all shaped up and we were pretty good the rest of the day.  Phew!

We ate more food at Five Guys.  Great burgers.

Then we walked and walked to Navy Pier.  I took pictures as we went.

Love the pier.

Kira was sitting there so sweetly.  I'm glad I captured this photo.

Cool sculpture along the way.

And the city in the background.

Haha.  This pic makes me laugh with Jared's sneaky photo bomb.

My boys and Chicago.

Sofie...

I love this picture.  She just has so much energy and life.  I love her enthusiasm.

Cool Chicago Chair.  The kids all wanted pics on it.

We found the Crystal Garden with Palm Trees and fountains.

We relaxed and ate some snacks.

Noah and Mason being friendly.  😍

Tried to get a pic with all the kids...impossible!

Then lots more walking.  We made it to Maggie Daley Park.  I think this was the highlight of the day. Awesome slides, big and small.  Isak and Mason ran around together and Sadie and Kira went together.  Then I watched Sofie and Noah go up and down hills and slides.

See the two double strollers.  Then the amazing playground and behind that the city.

Just an incredible place right in the city.

We left at 7 p.m.  we got home at 8: 30 p.m.  We got take out at McDonald's and Panera.  Sofie and Noah fell asleep in the car and stayed asleep while I put them in their beds.  Hooray!!

And that was the last day of Kari's visit.  It was so great to be with her and her family.  It was fun to see the cousins interact and get to know each other.  They left early Saturday morning.  Sniff, sniff.  The kids talked about them all the time.   I heard this many times, "I miss ___" fill in the blank with a member of Kari's family.  Thanks for coming!!!