Chicago 2011

After much debating, we decided to take our annual trip to Chicago between Christmas and New Years. The winter weather this year has been very different than usual, and this held true on our trip. Instead of snow, we had a lot of fog and misty rain. It didn't make for great pictures, but we still had lots of fun!

Don't you just love it when the Shedd Aquarium is super crowded?! Not.

Camera in hand!

Yes, I know. That is our son on the WRONG side of the railing.

Annual picture in the bean. Don't worry - Mallory is only sleeping. (We did wake her up to see the Macy's Christmas tree.)

That building is really tall!

Peek-a-boo!

I see you!

- becky

Christmas 2011

Happy Birthday, baby Jesus!

Merry Christmas!

Opening presents with the kids was so much fun this year! I was really smart and wrapped Isaiah's gifts in Thomas paper and Mallory's in princess paper. I didn't have to label any of them which was a good thing since I was wrapping really late on Christmas Eve.

Neena and PawPaw got Isaiah a Thomas pillow pet. He loves it and sleeps with it every night.

It amazes me how pretty Barbie doll hair looks in the package. 5 minutes after the dolls are out, their hair is a fright!

Mallory takes so many fun pictures with her digital camera. Be watching for her very own blog - Mallory's Take - to be released soon!

Every year, we have a just-the-four-of-us family vacation the week between Christmas and New Year's. We had a 2-part trip this year - St. Louis and Chicago. St. Louis was quick, so we weren't able to see any of my aunts, uncles, or cousins that live there. :( Hopefully, we will get to see them this summer, but if not - for SURE at my cousin Mary's wedding in October!)

Tim surprised me with Busch Stadium Tour tickets in my stocking! FUN!!! A funny little story about our tour - while we were inside on the tour our salesperson for Miller Park called to confirm our purchase of Brewer Season Tickets for the year. What funny timing! Tim assured the sales rep that while I love the Cards, we are still Brewer fans, too. :)

We walked down the street to see where the Blues play. Game that night!

Score Card covers for each of the World Series wins. This year's yet to come!

In the dug out!

Time to call the bull pen!

Almost up to bat...

Cute little tourist

Blues Baby!

I had fun playing with the digital camera.

Might have to frame this picture above for Tim!

Making her mother oh-so-proud! Mallory discovered Toasted Ravioli on this trip. :)

- becky

Facebook Status

If I were logging in to Facebook during Lent, I would have said...

Becky Salyer Seabaugh...

...does great on laundry until I get to the white load. It takes too much effort to sort and fold all those socks.

...thinks this hockey announcer sounds like a pirate. It would be really fun to walk around talking like this guy for the rest of the day.

...does not like it when I suspect someone is not playing Words With Friends honestly. I sure hope I'm wrong...

The lady behind me (at McDonald's) talks really, really fast. (It's quite annoying.) Her son was trying to tell her something, and she said, "Spit it out, Junior." Really?!?! Wow.

...should have bought more children's clothes hangars at IKEA. They are awesome for toddler sizes! Can we go back to IKEA soon, pretty pretty puh-leaze???

...gave up Facebook for Lent in my effort to be more productive. Perhaps I should have given up Pinterest, too.

...finished our 2011 taxes. WOO HOO!

...has obvious OCD because cleaning takes all the stress away.

March 2nd and winter finally decided to show up.

...made some super yummy Cheeseburger Soup!

Is it March 17th or June? I LOVE this weather!!!

...just dusted Isaiah's bedroom, and he said, "Thank you for cleaning the house." It sure feels great to be appreciated! :)

...has pinned 300 pins on Pinterest. Maybe I should give up that addiction for Lent next year...

...finished reading Dancing With Max and loved it. What to read next...???

Check-ins

2/24/12 IKEA, Mall of America, Vera Bradley - MOA ~ Minneapolis, MN

Our winter overnight get-away was supposed to be the burbs of Chicago, but they had to go and get snow. So, we found ourselves in Minneapolis after a spur-of-the-moment change of plans. We decided on Minneapolis instead of Chicago at 3:00 PM, and we were on the road by 5:30 PM. Shopping definitely helped my mental health.

Little Miss Turns 3

Happy Birthday Little Miss!

"Wook it, guys!"

Say hello to Grandma in the background. Tim's parents were on their way home from Minnesota, so they came over for Mallory's birthday!

Painting on her new easel

Since Mallory is a fan of the Green Bean Packers (as she calls them), we took her to Rainbow Field (as she calls it) for dinner at Curly's Pub.

Ken, Jenny, Kamryn, and Brinley came with us to supper. We have a fun tradition that has just sort of happened of going to dinner together on our kids' birthdays. :)

BFFs

Here is a fun idea that I stole from Pinterest...

Each year on Mallory's birthday, I will ask her these same questions and record the answers.

1. What is your favorite color? purple and pink
2. What is your favorite toy? a truck
3. What is your favorite fruit? grapes
4. What is your favorite TV show? Ni Hao Kai Lan
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? bread
6. What is your favorite outfit? Minnie Mouse
7. What is your favorite game? Busy Town
8. What is your favorite snack? fruit snacks
9. What is your favorite animal? elephant
10. What is your favorite song? Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
11. What is your favorite book? The Cat in the Hat
12. Who is your best friend? Simon
13. What is your favorite cereal? I don't know.
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? play with dinosaurs
15. What is your favorite drink? milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? my birthday
17. What do you like to take to bed with your at night? Hello Kitty
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? bread
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? a treat
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? three!

Some of her answers are so not true - LOL - but that's what she gave me.

- becky