Chicago Day 2!

We started out heading to the zoo as it was lightly raining out but was to clear up
around noon. It worked out great as the zoo wasn't too busy and the boys were able to
get right up close to see all the animals.

Here is a photo right out of the Mary Poppins movie! how classic!! They had more fun

with the umbrellas!


Here is some poses next to some of the beautiful animals we saw that day! Only took us about 4 hours for the whole thing and the kids loved it!

This is the start of craziness that is Navy Pier. By noon it had cleared up but was cool by the lake. The entire upstairs portion of the pier is made just for kids! They went on the carousel ride a few times of course, then we just had to play a round of mini golf. Then we talked them into going on the ferris wheel.

Thomas the train choo-choo ride!

Here is a view from almost the top of the ferris wheel. What an amazing view from up there. Anyone who goes to Navy Pier, must take a ride on this! If we didn't have the kiddos, I think night time would be great to see as well!

Night time view from the end of the pier looking on the city skyline! what a site!

Chicago, day 1!

What a city! There is so much to see in chicago! We started out going to Shedd Aquarium and figured we would walk the waterfront to either Grant Park or Millenium Park. It was a beautiful day so we figured we better take advantage of the outdoors! Blues Festival was going on in Grant Park as well so it was extremely busy all over. Great view though walking along the water that goes on forever as Grant would say!

The fam in front of Buckingham Fountain!


The Bean, the boys thought this was so cool that they could see themselves in this huge giant circle thing in the middle of a park!

Here is the Dolphin show at Shedd Aquarium. The boys absolutely loved this show and seeing all the different animals they had in the water do different tricks! I think every time one jumped out of the water, Dylan would say "ooo" did you see that one there they go again...

Boys waiting for the show to begin!

Wicsonsin Cheese, Here I come!

Well we decided it was time for a family vacation. No, we didn't take the easy way and fly, we decided to pack up "Big Red" and head out for a week of relaxation! The boys were ready to go as soon as we mentioned Water Park!!

Grant loved this part of the water park. it was only about 2 feet deep and had kid slides that he could go down without his parents! he thought that was great!! They even had smaller ones that Dylan enjoyed going down as well!

Mt Olympus Theme park has so much stuff for kids to do it was hard to decide what to do first! The boys decided they wanted to try a few rides first so they did the plane ride and then took a train ride. Next they decided they wanted to try the go karts, well needless to say that was their favorite!! But then Grant decided it was time to try the roller coaster! I was schocked! But up the stairs he went, got in the seat and loved every minute of it!




Dylan and Grant now want to go Mini Golfing every day!! They did great and enjoyed being out there on the course that they can hit balls into the hole in less than 7 swings! I think that goes for mom too!

Crazy May!

Well I never thought I would say this, but May brought on something I never thought I would do. Attempt to run in a 5K marathon. My girlfriends thought it would be fun to do the 5K together this year for the annual Fargo Marathon. I thought at first, hmm, 5K isn't so bad right. That was until I tried to run for the first time in my life. I have a new respect for anyone that runs! I thought I was going to pass out after 3 blocks!!

Kara and I before the race


But I stayed with it and kept running week after week. Finally the day of the race came and all that training was put to the test. It was an early start to the day as I picked up Stef at 7:15AM!! We watched as all the real runners take off at the start line to begin the start of 26 miles! Amazing thing to watch! Our race started at 8:15 and there were people everywhere, young and old! It was all an experience in itself!

Well I can finally say that that I ran a 5K marathon and check it off in my list of things to do. I exceeded my own expectations and was happy that all that huffing and puffing I did the first few weeks in the beginning paid off! It was so much fun and I am so proud of my girlfriends that ran with me!!! Love you girlies and can't wait to do it again next year!!!

And I can't believe I am going to say this either, but I have signed up for another one in September, double the 5K! What was I thinking???!?!?

Easter and Birthday Party for Grandma

The boys really enjoyed Easter this year, the older they get the more they get excited! They were able to color eggs at our home, and both grandparents' so they thought that was pretty exciting! We also made a trip out to Bismarck to celebrate Brad's grandma's 90th birthday and of course there was a hotel with a water slide involved!! They live to go to hotels with big pools and slides!! At least Grant loves the slides, Dylan isn't so sure about them just yet.


Here are the 3 great grandsons with Grandma Doris looking all springy!
Grant loved this waterslide! I think poor Brad went down it 100 times with him!

Here is a family picture, turned out okay, not too bad for 2 young boys!

Coloring easter eggs with dad! Grant did great but Dylan loved to color his hands just as much as the eggs! Oh well!

April Snow Storm

Well needless to say we have had an unusual spring this year. We started with a flood and then during that had a huge snowstorm that came. But after the snow, finally came some warmer weather. Brad took the boys outside to blow some of their energy off. Here are just a few snap shots of them having fun in the snow in April. They apparently thought they could hit snowballs with their shovels, Typical boys.

Vegas Baby!

Start of the race!













Below is all of us getting ready to head in for the race!















Here is Scott "Hottie" Speed! hahah. Brad just kidding!!!



Here is a few of us outside the gates enjoying the sunshine and some beer before going in!














This post is long overdue!!! There will be other posts coming but I have to start somewhere! I (Sara) head to Vegas every March for the NASCAR race with some of my favorite people in the world! My mom, Aunt Sharie, cousins Jodi, Julie, Jill and Jami. This is an annual trip we started about 7 years ago. I look forward to going with these ladies every year and hope it doesn't end anytime soon! Here are just a few of the many pictures and memories we will have.