Chicago...is my kind of town! (Part 1)

We had a fun family trip to Chicago last week. I was there for the National Plastics Exhibition (NPE) - the largest NA Plastics show that is every 3 years and a big event for Dow. Knowing I'd be gone for at least 4 days, John, the boys & Taylor came up to play towards the end of my trip. We stayed through the weekend and loved our time together in Chicagoland. I have always loved this city and it did not let us down!

It is amazing what the city has developed throughout Millenium Park. It has so many fabulous features to explore and enjoy! Here are the boys at the "bean".
Looking up under the bean.

A little family picture

Taylor exploring her reflection

Looking at the Pritzker Pavillion - a mariachi band was warming up for a free concert that evening

The Sky Bridge between the Institute of Art & Millenium

The spitting fountains are so fun -tons of children are playing in the splash parkTaylor joins in on the fun

The bus stop was advertising the pirate exhibit at the Field Museum

Inside the original Marshall Fields

It worked out perfectly that my dad & sister Michelle flew to Chicago for the day to visit my sister Marilyn & brother-in-law, Joe, and to see my new neice, Amelia Jane. It was so fun that they all came into the city and played for a few hours. We had yummy deep dish pizza and went to the new wing of the Chicago Institute of Art.

Granddad & Taylor
Taylor meeting her new cousin, AmeliaTaylor getting some assistance on her High 5

Yum!Uncle JoeChecking out her new cousin
Michelle, Marilyn & I at the new modern wing

Goofball

The blinking game continues....

Sisters Retreat

Every year the Turner sisters and Mom have a sisters retreat where they escape for a few days together. Usually they rent a cabin in the mountains in Utah, but this year they headed south and came to Houston! We had 6 of the 7 sisters and Mom Turner here for 4 days and it was so fun. We loved spending time with them and Taylor loved all the attention!

I did not do the best job of documenting the weekend, but here are some pictures. Unfortunately I did not get pictures of Taylor with each aunt, but a few! Of course, food was a key activity, and we took them to some favorite restaurants (Ruggles, Los Cucos, Spring Creek, Ritters) as well as made some fabulous recipes at home. We also spent time shopping in Old Town Spring, visited the Holocaust Museum & Rice Village, shopped & shopped, did pedicures and did a craft. We packed it in and topped it off with long talks at late at night and lots of laughs (until they all cry, its a Turner thing!).

Lunch at Spring Creek BBQJohn & Jodie & Taylor at Ruggles Cafe (Fabulous desserts!!!)

Shellie & Heather

Pedicure time! Taylor loved getting her toes painted!

Julie & Taylor

Jodie & Taylor in the morning sun

Grandma Turner & Taylor - she loved sitting on her lap!

The Waterwall in the Galleria district

The gang!

Tonia & Taylor

John still has the juice from his childhood!

Eban's Adventure

Eban has had a growth on his leg for a while now. We thought it was a cyst, but I guess its a fatty tumor. It never bothered him if you touched it, or moved it, so we hadn't done anything about it. Until last week when it got an ingrown hair on it which led to a sore, which led to antibotics which led to surgery. The surgery went well and he is slowly healing, but he is wearing the "cone of shame" for a while.

Blink!

Taylor plays this cute game with John. He blinks his eyes very deliberately and then she copies. It is so funny!

Just Want to Soak Up the Sun

Catch-up with the Kongs (and Angie!)

We had a great dinner and catch up at the Kong's fabulous & stylish townhome downtown. Taylor couldn't keep her eyes off of Dan (hopefully Joy wasn't jealous!). Dinner was fabulous and we loved the scrumptious cupcakes from Crave. I'll be frequenting this new find. Thanks dear friends for the company and meal.

Taylor wearing her new dress from Thailand that Joy & Lilian brought back for her!

Hanging out At Play Group

Taylor didn't really interact with other kids but she loved being out at the park!

A Fun Night at the Drive In...

We enjoyed the movie UP under the stars at the Showboat Drive-in. Taylor just liked playing outside with her fan club!

Audition Tape for Riverdance

Blooming Where We Are Planted

We had a fun enrichment event for the women at church at our house last month - the theme was "Blooming Where You are Planted". We served yummy salads, raspberry slush and fabulous trifles. We learned about what grows well in Texas, flower arranging, BBQ tips and toured my neighbor's garden - she is a master gardener and very talented. It was fun host dinner and have the Nelson's host dessert in their beautiful backyard.