Ryan's Trip

My brother Ryan made a last minute trip to Chicago for the Bears-Steelers game. (Ryan's a huge Steelers fan.) Marc's Dad Russ had tickets to the game, so the two of them went together.

Russ and Ryan at the game.

Pre-game shot - Ryan and Dylan in their Steelers gear.

Out in Wrigleyville Saturday night. We had dinner and went to improv - one of my favorite things!

Downtown earlier in the day.

Going For It

We bumped into our friends Jay and Mollie, and their little girl Elle at the park last weekend. Elle just turned one, and loves to go down the slide headfirst. I was cracking up. Her romper showing off her cute, chubby thighs topped "the scene" off.

My friend Jamie told me that she'd give her son an apple and it would entertain him for an hour long car ride. I thought I'd try the same with Dylan, assuming he'd just throw it on the ground. But he dug right in! (Then chucked it on the ground 10 minutes later.)

Leaving the Crime Scene

Thoughts from Dylan: "Last Week I...."

Figured out how to climb up onto the couch myself and walk on it.

Read a book by myself, half-naked.

Hid myself in the curtains, and then walked towards mommy. I thought this was awesome.

Scored a new toy from Craig's List that I love.

Labor Day Weekend

We enjoyed a somewhat quiet weekend in Chicago over Labor Day weekend. We ventured into a couple of different neighborhoods for some time at the park with Dylan, and on Sunday we celebrated Marc's Dad's birthday.

D loves bridges.

My 2 guys.

At Papa's place - the birthday boy is playing a song for Dylan.

Winding down Sunday night.

Colorado

Dylan and I joined my parents in Vail last week. Colorado is always such a refreshing place for me to be/go. We had a fantastic time.

Mountain man.

Walking with Grandpa in the village.

Mom, Dylan and I after church.

Running up the stairs in the village. Dylan loved the stream behind us.

On our way to breakfast to meet my uncle Larry. We had gotten coffee at the new Starbucks in Lionshead, where the cost of a venti drink is over $5! Ridiculous.

D's first time in a pool!

Hot bod.

Playing peek-a-boo with Grandma.

Back To School

I made the decision to return to Moody Grad School this semester. I'm taking one class on Tuesday nights. It feels great to be back there!

Happy Birthday To Me

I celebrated my 31st birthday on Sunday!

Dylan gave me a card.

Then he walked away.

Family pic on the big day. As always, the picture didn't quite turn out.

I enjoyed a fabulous evening with my husband, out to dinner.

Family chipped in to get me an iPhone for my birthday. Here I am outside the Apple store, acting cool as a cat.

Kristin's Shower

I helped to throw my good friend Kristin's baby shower last Saturday. A very fun day, and Kristin looked gorgeous!

Opening gifts.

Kristin, with her mom and two aunts, who all flew in from out of town.

With her hubby Eric.

Me, Kristin, and Kim, who co-hosted the shower.

Time At The Park

As most of you know, Dylan lives for the outdoors. Here he is, in one of his moments of glory. (Photo credit: Amy Chung)

Boat Day

Dave and Amy invited our small group to enjoy a day on Dave's family's boat. What...a...treat!!

It was a clear day, so we got to enjoy some great views of the city from the water.

The small group girls - Lindsay, me, Amy and Kristin.

A few of us braved the frigid cold water. Above, Marc and Eric are getting their first taste of what the temperature really feels like. Marc kept saying, "It feels like the bottom of my bare feet are walking on snow." When I got in, I understood exactly what he was talking about. It...was...cold.

Kyler did some diving routines for us. J/k. But he was the only one to jump off the top.

Our hosts Dave and Amy.

"My First Baseball Game" - A Narration By Dylan

"This is where we're going? You gotta be kidding me. I am so bored. I could not be any more dis-interested in this idea. Somebody please get me out of here."

"Hmm - actually, this is pretty cool. Let me check out the whole scene here."

"A picture? Yeah, yeah -in just a sec. I gotta watch this play first."

"This is awesome. I love this. I love life. Go Sox!"

Party x2

My friend Tersha and her husband Hans' twins celebrated their birthdays on Friday with a pool party in the backyard. Such a fun morning for the kiddos! Shylah and Koen turned 2.

Dylan LOVED the slide (in photo, upper right), but hated landing in the water, which led to a bit of dilemma and confusion for him.

Koen and Dylan, helping to mow the lawn.

Split Lip

Dylan got his first split lip this past week. He was just walking - on flat ground - and fell. :(

Celebrating Baby Shanks

Baby Boy Shanks is due in October, so Mom and I co-hosted a girls' luncheon to celebrate and help Nic get stocked up on some boy things, while I was out there.

Nicole and me with six of her closest girlfriends.

A few blue items have now entered the Shanks household.

Outside of Newcastle Golf Club, where the luncheon was. It was a gorgeous day (and week) out there.

Check out the view we had of Seattle!