It's Worth It

A favorite activity the past month or two is pulling all of the couch cushions off and wrestling in them/diving onto them. I tried to discourage it for a little while, but the 20 minutes they stay entertained is worth the 2 minutes of clean up 3 times a day!

Chicago!

Last weekend Tate and I got to cash in one of my Christmas present and go to Chicago to visit my sister Krissi and her little girl Emery. We played tourist and had so much fun! A big thank you to the friends and family that watched Ruthie while Ryan was working. You are the best! Here are some of the highlights.

"The bean" in Millennium park with a view of the city.
More of "the bean"

A great fountain in Millennium park that Tate played in. That face in the background shoots water out of it's mouth every few minutes.

The Art Institute of Chicago was amazing!

Tate was not quite as enthralled with the painting "American Gothic" as I was. Did you know that it is supposed to be the farmer and his daughter? I always assumed it was his wife.

Krissi called this her paparazzi shot. "Celebrities are just like us. They take their kids to the park too." Classic Chicago sign

This is my add for Krissi's Phil and Ted's stroller. It was awesome for both of the kids.Posing mamas

We had to get pictures with the tulips that were all over the city.

My favorite picture! What a cutie!

Tate figured out how to turn on the vibrations on the baby's bouncer. He would chill in there a lot!

My Bro-in-law gets a gold star for driving us down town Saturday night and keeping the sleeping kids in the car for an hour while we checked out the Signature Lounge at the top of the Hancock building.

We thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate mousse cake and smoothie, almost as much as the time out with just us!

The best view in the whole place is from the women's bathroom. No joke! This is the shot of the city from 96 stories up!

And looking down from the ladies room!

A windy Sunday drive by the lake.

Tate loved to hug and kiss and hold Emmy! He would get a little crazy sometimes, but he could make her laugh better than anyone! He had to keep track of where "baby" was at all times.

I had to get a picture when I saw this little 'Tates' shop next to Krissi's house.

We went on a stroll in the forest preserve right by her house.

I did not even have to zoom in to get this picture. The deer are used to people walking and biking through there.

Saturday morning we met up with Ryan's aunt and she took the kids so we could go to the Chicago temple. It was so nice to be able to go. We enjoyed lunch at her house and seeing their family. Sorry we didn't get pictures with you Claire! We loved every minute of it but are glad to be home with 'Daddy' and 'Roo'!

Warning: Full Moon at Church!

I just have to share what happened during church yesterday for anyone who didn't see or hear.

Tate likes to wander out into the aisle during sacrament meeting. He stays close to our row and sometimes it is not worth the battle to keep him right with us. Well Tate made his way into the aisle yesterday and we were not paying much attention to him. Ryan looks over at our little boy when he hears some giggling start behind us. Tate has his pants and diaper down to his ankles and he is standing on his head apparently trying to do a naked somersault!!! Ryan grabbed him as fast as he could and threw him at me on our bench. I hurried and got his pants back up. We were laughing so hard we were crying. Sorry to disrupt the spirit for all who saw the show. Probably wasn't exactly what you were expecting to see when you came to church was it! Kids definitely keep you hopping and humble!