Something about the windy city

You know I am actually excited about something. Most of you who know me know that I don;t get real "worked up" (happy excited) over a whole lot, but I am going to Chicago next week with the family. We got the reservations tonight and of we are going. We're only spending a couple of days there, but boy it will be nice to see all the family again. Besides none of them have met my boy Clayton yet.

It'll be nice to go back home again. There is something about that place that just makes me feel good. Don't get me wrong. Tucson is my adopted home, but there is just something about Chicago (Zion) that makes me want to go there as often as possible.

It'll be good. I have told everyone it is most likely our last pleasure visit there for a while. I wanted to go before anyone passes away. I know that sounds a little morbid but it is reality. I'd really kick myself if I missed the opportunity to see my family before anything happened. Besides like I said it will be good for everyone to meet Clayto and Camille.

At first it I began planning all sorts of trips and things to do. museums, the loop, going to Carthage (about 6 hours away) then it hit me we're only going to be there for four days, there will barely be enough time to see the family let alone all the sites. I do plan to take the fam into the city though it will be fun.

I'll throw some pics on of the trip just as soon as we have them.

Camille's Birthday...4 already!

I can't believe my little girl is already four years old! It is amazing, she is turning into such a little lady. They say time flies when you are having fun, well I can't translate how much fun the last four years have been.

She raked it in pretty big this year which is nice for her. I like to see her have lots of neat things to wear and play with. At school she had a little party where a lot of the parents were kind enough to bring her gifts, that's nice because we have given out gifts so we were hoping that it would be recipricated. We made a cake for her to share with all of her little friends at school and they loved it. Nothing like sugaring up the kids before the end of day right?!

At Church she had a little primary (Sunday School) song sung to her and got a birthday pencil. My mom, her Nana Susan got her a baggie full of goodies and she loved it. She got Play-Doh (spelling?) coloring books, colored pencils, and a bucket full of Play-Doh accessories. Unfortunately for us there was no Play-Doh removal tool included, you know from when i am scraping it out of the carpet, her hair, the dogs hair, the cats hair, and the occasional crack or crevice. She's actually really good with it so i'm not too worried.

After Church we went to my in-laws home, Dave and Karen. They made her the dinner of her choice. Steak, potatoes, and green beans. No coaching required from Dad either. She knows when to pick the good stuff all on her own! Woo hoo! She got a lot of neat gifts there as well. A Leapster game, a new purse, and some other stuff that I can't even remember. We took a bunch of pictures so I'll be adding those later.

It's amazing watching these kids grow up. I love every minute of it.

Trunk or Treating/Work party/Friend's Haloween party

Busy, busy, busy.

On Saturday night we had our Church's annual "trunk or treating" activity which was a blast. The kids looked adorable and Steph and I dressed up as Black Eyed Peas, email me if you want details on me and Steph. Camille was a very adorable cheerleader and Clayton was a pumpkin. They both loved their costumes! We had a good time it was lots of fun and Camille surprisingly enough filled her pumpkin about a third of the way full and said that was enoguh candy for her. I couldn't believe that me of all people would have a kid that would turn down first candy, and second FREE candy. That's okay though she had a good time and that's what mattered the most.

After the trunk or treating Steph and the kids went home and I went to a work Halloween party, kind of the obligatory visit. Not really my thing. Drunk people from work and drunk friends of my bosses. No thanks. So I hit the road pretty fast from there.

After that party there was one more to go to at a friends house. It was good times. They have an annual Halloween bash and everybody really likes it. It was a lot cooler than the other party since there was no drinking going on and we were all friends from Church.

Lots of fun and busy days and nights.