Alex at 2 Months

First Smiley Photo

Day Out with Thomas

What an amazing August we have had and there is still a week and a big event left for next weekend. Today we had a outing that we have been excited about all summer! Jack, Alex, Geoff, Jamie, Joey, Youssou and I traveled all the way to Union, Illinois to meet with Thomas the Train. The Illinois Railway Museum hosted the "Day Out with Thomas". We saw old train cars, model trains, met Sir Topham Hatt and, best of all, took a ride on Thomas the Train! Jack had SO much fun, especially on the train.

Alex is ready for the big day!

Jack and Daddy waiting on the (fake) CTA platform

Jack and Joseph pose on an old railcar

All Aboard Thomas the Train

The Lucas Family riding the rails

The boys

Meeting the boss, Sir Topham Hatt

A Thomas made of Legos

KidsWork with Kylee

Our good friend Kylee will be starting 2nd grade on Monday, so Jack, Alex and I spent some quality time with her on Friday. Our time together included a trip to KidsWork Children's Museum. They had a butterfly garden set up for this weekend which was a great new addition.

Great America

Today Jack, Alex, Geoff, Mom and I headed up to Six Flags Great America. It was a last minute trip when we realized that the water park would be closing this weekend, but we managed to squeeze it in even if it did mean leaving Papa at home and bringing Alex along. Despite a fairly poor weather forcast the weather for most of the day was beautiful and the crowds were thin. Jack was amazed by the Wiggle's Stage Show and loved going on lots of rides. He was very brave and very patient waiting in lines. We were also able to enjoy a bit of the water park before it got cloudy and chilly. The rain set in just in time to keep Jack and daddy from going on Jack's first rollercoaster ride. Both of them were very disappointed. Alex was perfectly content in the stroller for most of the day. He slept most of the time, but spent some of his time smiling and taking it all in.

Meet & Greet with Bugs and Porky

No fear for Jack. He walked right up and made new friends with the charaters.

Alex, enjoying a nap in the stroller

Dancing along with the Wiggles

A ride in the Big Red Airplane with Mimi

Jack's favorite ride was the Big Red Car

As soon as he got off he ran up to me and said

"Mommy, Jack ride in the Big Red Car" with the biggest smile in the world!

Mimi and Alex passing time while Mommy and Jack went for a ride in an old car.

Wide awake and enoying the busy park

Drying off at the Water Park

Riding on the Bees

Daddy (a lover of rollercoasters) was so excited to take Jack on his first rollercoaster ride. They got in, got buckled, got very excited and then they closed the ride due to rain. Well, better luck next time!

Bath Time

Brothers

Just a few pics of Jack and Alex playing together!

A Day at the Beach

Mommy, Mimi, Jack and Alex had a great day at the beach! We visited the Indiana Dunes for the day. We made a tent for Alex and he relaxed in the shade all afternoon. Jack didn't care much for the water, but loved playing in the sand and hiking on the dunes.

Chillin' at the Beach

Jack loved playing in the sand

Alex's 1st Dip in Lake Michigan

Mommy and Jack went for a hike up the sand dunes

Mommy and Her Boys

Bye Bye Binkies

Jack had his first dentist appointment today. He did very, very well. Before we left the dentist mentioned that it was time for Jack to give up his binkies. When we got home he packed them up and sent them off to the dentist. For a couple days he borrowed Alex's binkies, but now he is completely binky free.

Alex - 6 weeks old

National Night Out Against Crime

Frankfort offered a variety of fantastic activites for the community as they helped celebrate National Night Out Against Crime. Jack was a little overwhelmed by the "Touch a Truck" activity, but paused to check our the firetruck, police car and big rig. He had a chance to meet a fireman and check out all his gear and he was able to chat with a police man and turn on the siren and lights of the police cruiser. The folks from Reptile Rampage were on hand and Jack got to pet what he told me was a dinosaur (acutally a huge lizard). We finished the night off with ice cream cones. Not bad for a Tuesday Night!