Big Trucks and Braves

Last Saturday was the city's annual Touch-A-Truck event. The boys love to sit on all the big rigs, honk the horns, and push the levers.
Ben's favorite was the garbage truck. He even got to press the levers to make the the scooper in the back work (a BIG deal for a 4-year-old).
But, in my opinion, the coolest thing was the inside of the SWAT truck.
Fireman Ben.

And, of course, they had to end up in the back seat of a police car.

This morning we headed to Turner Field for the Braves Open House. It was an awesome all-access experience. We toured the clubhouse, the press boxes, the dugouts, and even got to go out onto the field. It was a great time, particularly for Jess, a lifelong Braves fan.

We started out with a tour of the Braves Museum and Hall of Fame.

In front of the 1995 World Series trophy.

On an old Braves dugout bench.

Sluggers waiting in the dugout.

Hanging inside the clubhouse.

Noah and Ben get a view from the press box.

Then Jess and the boys went out onto the field to shag some fly balls.

Here it comes ...

There it is!

And finally we ran the bases.

Noah heads for third.

Can't wait for the season to start - Go Braves!

Hinkle, Hinkle Little Star

Good News, Bad News

The bad news: the same icky illness I had back before Christmas has continued, and I have been very delinquent in my blogging. The good news: because of said ickiness, I have taken very few pictures, so you're really not missing much.

Here are a few from Christmas (Yes, Christmas - it was only a month ago. January, could you get any longer?) and our visit to Chicago and Michigan.On Christmas Eve, we met some friends to go ice skating at Centennial Park. Noah and Ben hung in there for a good 15 minutes, before deciding they were more adept at drinking hot chocolate off the rink.

Ben and Kira trying to maneuver around the rink. Darn ice is so slippery!Dressed and ready for Christmas Eve service. Hmmm, how much longer will I be able to get away with dressing them in dorky matching sweaters?Ben decorated these cookies for Santa. We wrote him a note then headed to bed to wait for Christmas morning ...The MUCH anticipated hole puncher. It was top on his wish list, and Santa came through. Noah and Ben are great little helper chefs, now complete with aprons. Noah rocks out to "The Reindeer Song," aka Rudolph.

The next day we packed up the car and headed for Indianapolis, then Chicago, and finally Michigan. It was so much fun to be back in Chicago - first time the boys have been there. Our first stop was our old neighborhood. We had lunch at our favorite diner and then went to check out our old apartment.

Noah and Jess in front of our apartment building. Like everything else in the world, they have been converted to condos, but basically look the same.

Noah and Ben had to take some time to play in the snow.

Then we headed to Navy Pier.

God forbid we ever go anywhere and not find a train to ride ... twice.

Goofy boys at the Children's Museum.

Walking to dinner on the Magnificent Mile.

I don't have many pics of our time in Michigan, but it was so great to be home and to spend time with family. Despite the frigid temps, the boys did get out to play in the snow a few times.Getting a sled ride from Daddy in Booma and Papa's front yard. Being the complete and utter wimp that I've become, I took this through the window from inside the warm, cozy living room.

More Holiday Cheer

Wow, Christmas Eve is upon us and I have been very slack in updating the blog with all of our holiday festivities. We've been quite busy spreading and soaking up Christmas cheer. Well, actually, for the last week, I've been very not busy. I've been in bed with a stomach bug. I'm feeling better now, but the computer is still a bit nauseating, so forgive me for not providing too much commentary. Just here come the pics ...Christmas PJs!

We anticipate that some year, the annual picture with Santa will not need to be a family portrait. No luck this year. In fact, Noah still wasn't too sure sitting in my lap ...

And we finally made it to ride the looooong-awaited Macy's Pink Pig with friends Ava and Eli.

Ben made Christmas cookies at his cooking class ...

Last week we had a playgroup holiday party at a fun ice cream place that has old cars the kids can climb on ...

The boys each had Christmas programs this year. Ben sang in the church choir (light blue shirt in back row) ...

And Noah was a shepherd in his school's Christmas Nativity ...

Last Thursday, Jess took the boys and Ava to the town square bonfire and marshmallow roast ...

They met another good friend, Kira, there.

Best buds.

'Tis the Season

Yesterday, the holiday season kicked into full gear at our house. We made the annual trek to the tree lot to pick out our 9-ft. gem. (Jess did not appreciate its height as he was hefting it into the house, but it looks great up and lit and decorated!)

Then we headed to the Post Office so the boys could mail their letters to Santa ...

Hmmmm ... naughty or nice?
The jury's still out on Noah.

Earlier in the day we went downtown with pals Ava and Eli and their Mom and Dad to see the Children's Christmas Parade. Despite the COLD weather, the kids had a ton of fun watching all the floats and marching bands.
Ava and Ben
Noah and Eli (too cute in their matching coats)

The kids loved the giant balloons ...
Mike, Ava and Eli's dad, told me this was "Word Girl" - I found it funny that he knew.
And that classic kids' character, the Fidelity Bank lion.

Noah high-fives an elf.