Chicago Pictures

Finally here are some pictures from our trip.

Our hotel--The Sutton Place

   

The Hancock Building

                             

Justin had to take his picture here

Pizza from Gino's--we liked Lou Manalti's A LOT better

Lake Michigan and part of the Chicago Skyline

Outside Shedd Aquarium at Lake Michigan

Another view of the Chicago Skyline

Soldier Field and some creepy artwork in a park that Justin had to have his picture taken by

Another building and the Eyeball exhibit

The famous Chicago and Ford Theaters

Getting ready to go on the skydeck at Willis tower (formerly Sears Tower)--If you look closely at the picture on the left you will see the glass skydecks that we were about the walk out on--they are approximately 1,400 feet high

View from the skydeck and my standing out on it for the first time--it really wasn't as bad as I thought

Looking out from the skydeck and Justin stepping out on it

The two of us 1,400 feet high over Chicago

Another view from the top of Willis Tower

Looking down from the skydeck

Navy Pier

View of Chicago from our boat ride

Another view of the Chicago Skyline--the tall building in the middle is Willis tower where we went out on the skydeck

Justin soaking up some rays on the boat ride

Navy Pier

Famous Wrigley Field and each of us standing in front of it

                                                          The Bean--A famous landmark of Chicago

A picture of our reflection in the Bean on the left and a cool picture taken from underneath it on the right

The Bean and Justin in front of Chicago Theater again--one of his favorite bands Widespread Panic was playing there

The Latest Coffer Happenings

I am currently uploading and editing pictures, so I will post some pics as soon as that is done.  This task has taken longer than expected because my previous photoshop account wasn't working properly for some reason, so I had to create a new one and transfer all the pictures from the past year since I got my new camera over to the new account.  Hopefully by later today I will be done with our Chicago pics and post them.  Here are some other things that have been going on lately:

-Makenna and I have been having "school" on a daily basis.  We are simply working on improving things she already knows, such as her ABCs (she still sometimes skips some letters), numbers 0-20, and colors. 

-My grandma had to be put in a nursing home this week.  She fell 4 times in 2 days, so we all know this is the best thing for her.  Currently, this is only temporary and she will go back home in 20 days.  I hope that she is able to receive some quality physical therapy that will allow her to gain some strength back and thus, allow her to be able to go back home.  I know she doesn't want to be in a nursing home, but we just want to do what is best for her.  Time will tell if this is a possibility.

-I had a doctors appointment and everything was fine.  I am going every 2 weeks now, so that just means we are getting closer to meeting precious little Beckham.

-Speaking of Beckham, the bedding for his nursery arrived, so that means work will soon begin on getting it ready for his arrival.  We are moving Makenna into the spare bedroom, so the nursery will stay the same--minus the pink.  Click here to see the bedding. 

-Last week, we ordered a new furniture set for our master bedroom.  So needless to say, we will be busy moving furniture, etc. here very soon.  Justin will also be busy painting and completing his ever growing to-do-list over the next few weeks.  I have tried to teach him about procrastination, but it really hasn't done any good.

-Justin has class all weekend to become a soccer official for the local soccer club.  He has been wanting to do this for a while, but just hasn't done it (remember the above reference to his tendency to procratinate.)   If he passes the test on Sunday, he will be able to officiate soccer games in the evenings or on weekends.  It will be nice for him to do something he enjoys and make a little money at the same time. 

What a week

I promise that I will post pictures of our trip to Chicago as soon as I find time to upload them to the computer and edit them.  However, with the crazy past week we've had, it just hasn't gotten done.  I don't even know where to begin, but here it goes.

-I had been planning a garage sale for last Friday and Saturday in hopes to get rid of things we just don't need anymore--including Makenna's baby clothes.  The garage sale was very successful and we made just under $450!

-Thursday night my mom was here helping get ready for the sale and my brother and sister were supposed to meet at my house for dinner, etc.  When neither one showed up, my mom decided to call my sister, who told us she was one her way to the hospital because my dad was being airlifted there.  Thankfully he is okay now, but let's just say due to some very poor decisions by a doctor from the hospital in my hometown who shall remain nameless he almost didn't make it.  So, needless to say, my days have been spent going to the hospital at least once a day.  This isn't too big of a deal, except I don't want to take Makenna so I have to make sure someone can watch her or go when Justin gets home from work and the floor he is on only has visiting hours 4 times a day.

-Also on Thursday, I got a call from my doctor's office saying that my glucose test back a little high and that I needed to go in for the three hour test.  I did that test this morning and am waiting to hear back from them with the results.

I think that is about all we have to report.  Pictures will be coming soon. 

Back to Reality

Justin and I had a wonderful trip to Chicago last week, but now it is back to reality for us.  This morning, Justin headed to work at his new office (he got to miss out on the big move last week while we were on vacation) and I am back to getting things ready for our garage sale this weekend.  If anyone reading this knows of anyone in the Springfield area who is in need of baby girl clothes send them my way because I have TONS to sell.  I also need to clean the garage out, but with the extremely HOT temps. I think I will wait until late in the evenings to do that.

Due to the garage sale preparations, I am not sure when I will have a chance to edit our vacation photos, but I will post them as soon as I do.  I also have photos from my family reunion yesterday to post as well.  Hope everyone has a great week.

Oh Sweet Day of Birth (a day early)

Happy 27th Birthday, Justin!  We love you very much.

Love,

Jennifer, Makenna, and Beckham

***For those reading this that are wondering about the title--it is Justin's coined phrase instead of saying Happy Birthday***

4th of July Recap

Here are some pictures from our 4th of July weekend.  We had a fabulous time with friends and family.

We have a pretty low-key week planned.  I am going to try to get more things together for our garage sale in a few weeks and of course, pack and get ready for our Chicago vacation next week. 

Breakfast with Dora and Diego

This morning we headed out early for Silver Dollar City.  For Kid's Fest, they are having special breakfast each weekend with different popular cartoon characters and when we found out Dora and Diego were the featured characters this weekend, we decided to go.  Makenna was a bit scared at first, but then warmed up to them and even gave Dora a high-five.  The whole event was a bit unorganized, but Makenna enjoyed herself and that is all that matters.  We were the last people to get pictures with D and D before they went on a 15 minute break (which didn't make sense to us because there were only two more kids behind us in line that were at the breakfast), but as we were walking away Makenna said, "Bye, Dora" and Dora waved back.  It was pretty cute.

Makenna eating breakfast

Makenna posing for a picture

Makenna thinking about giving Dora a five

Justin and Makenna with Dora, Boots, and Diego

 Dora waving bye to Makenna

Like I said the breakfast was kind of chaotic, but we are glad we went.  It just prepared us for when we take the kids to Disney World and do a character breakfast there.

We don't have any plans for the rest of the weekend besides church tomorrow morning.  We will probably catch up on housework since we haven't been home all week due to sports camp at church (it is our version of VBS) and who knows what else.