Weekend in Chicago

Friday since the girls were out of school, we drove up to Chicago for the last weekend of the Harry Potter exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. About halfway, we stopped in Springfield and picked up some information on the Lincoln sites they have there. We decided it would take us too much time right then, but we planned on coming back Sunday on our way back home. There was also a car show there all weekend. They were having it in conjunction with the Route 66 festival. I guess it isn't all about Abe there!

We got to Chicago late afternoon Friday. We stayed about a half an hour away from the museum in the Elmherst/Oakbrook area. We are still using Jared's points from his hurricane response stay in Louisiana. We were looking for a place to eat and spotted a Boston Market (one of Jared's favorites) so we at there. It was like Thanksgiving, minus the cranberry sauce. Very good. We went and did a little shopping (The Container Store-- one of my favorites) and then headed back to the hotel so the girls could swim. Since we knew we were going to have a fridge in our suite, we had brought along Gabrielle's cake she made earlier this week. By all means, bring the cake! We had to fuel up for the next day of muesum exploring!

Saturday, to the Museum! The Museum of Science and Industry is HUGE! We had timed entry tickets to Harry Potter exhibit first thing, so we got there when it opened. There was so much to explore and discover, not to mention all the Harry Potter stuff. (No photos from the Harry exhibit, but oh well!) The museum included exhibits on Architecture to Zoology and everything in between. It really demonstrated the link between science and industry and the part we play as well. We stayed there exploring almost the entire day! There were lots of little shows you could see including a cool video projected onto a 6 foot 3d fiber globe. There was also a toy factory run by robots! Gabrielle liked the lunch in the brain food court. I'm sure Jared's favorite was seeing the U505 -- the German submarine captured by the US in World War II. Here's a link to their website: www.msichicago.org/We shopped a little with what we had left of the evening and ate a steak for dinner and the girls got one more splash in the pool.

We got up early the next morning we got up and got going toward Springfield, IL. When we got there we parked and walked around the Route 66 festival and even got some good "fair food" while looking at all the beautiful cars. We lucked out that this was here at the same time we were passing through. Then it was on to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library.

Let me just tell you, I love Presidential Museums and Libraries. Ever since we went to the Truman Museum and Library, I have this list of all these museums I want to visit before I die. Now I want to see them all! This was one of them! The presidential museums really combine art and history to tell the story of that particular president's story. Lincoln's was amazing! They had a show called "Ghosts of the Library" that was a holographic image story that was so cool. Again, we could not take too many pictures here, but I did get a few outside and in the main hall. This visit has inspired me to read more about his life and this period in history. www.alplm.org/

We also got to see the old state capital where Barack Obama announced his candidacy. There was so much more to see than what we had time for. Jared and I hope to return there next summer and explore some more. Here are a few photos.

Science and Industry:






Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library:











Route 66 Car Show on the Capital:

Rainy Providence Bowl

Last Thursday was the long awaited Providence Bowl. Madison was to have her first marching band performance for pre-game of this Hickman v. Rock Bridge High School game played in Memorial Stadium at the University of Missouri. All day (and night before) it had been raining off and on-- They were to decide about 3pm whether or not Junior High would perform. It was an early release day, so we came home and waited for the decision. Of course it was not raining at 3pm, so they gave the green light. All three junior highs were to perform the star-spangled banner with the high schools. After that they were scheduled to also play during time-outs and stuff seated in the stands, then they were required to stay through the half-time show.

We get to the game, drop Madison off where she is supposed to be for a 45 minute rehearsal. We go get out tickets, Jared had a pork tenderloin sandwich, and bought a coke. We find a good seat and were commenting on how it really turned out good weather, just cloudy, not a bit hot or anything. But alas, right as the bands were trooping out onto the field and getting into formation, it started to rain. I guess they thought they would just deal with it at this point. Plumes on the hats were still in place. The two high schools' dance girls had to perform this number together that seemed to go on and on with no end in sight. Then the big drops started and a heavy rain ensued. Gabrielle, Jared and I were huddled under the one purse-size umbrella I had brought. (We are new at this, ok? So nobody ask why we didn't have better rain gear!) We were getting soaked! Pretty soon they decided to take the plumes off the hats. Then, they decide to troop everyone off the field and under the stadium. We had no idea what was going to happen next! We thought they might come back out, but then, they must have given up completely because over the PA system comes, "Please rise for the National Anthem!" and it is totally the pre-recorded version! AUUUUUGGGGHHHHH! We and all the kajillion other Junior High parents run like mad for the holding area where the kids have marched off too underneath the stadium. Everyone was pretty much soaked, but I am seeing the value of the capes on those uniforms, and especially the hats! We made it home in the blinding rain and we proceeded to dry out. I had all the parts of Madison's band uniform and music flip chart hung all over the dining room table and chairs to dry. It's not like you can just throw a sequined cape in the regular clothes dryer!

It would have been a great experience for the kids to get to know what it was like to be in high school marching band, but I guess we'll have to wait on that! Funny thing was I think Madison had a great time anyway and will definitely remember her first marching band performance! Hope its better weather next year!

More Cake!

For last night's Beehive activity there was a surprise birthday party for the Young Women's president. Her fabulous daughter brought up fondant covered layer cakes for each girl to decorate however they wanted. Gabrielle was very proud of her cake! They were supposed to go on a hike, but I think fondant beats hiking any day! Any excuse for cake!

Jared and the bishop took the older youth to a BeSmart fireside in St. Louis to learn all about the lds colleges and universities and what they need to do to prepare for furthering their education. Luckily, those riding with Jared got to stop at Ted Drew's frozen custard afterwards. I was home mowing the lawn. So everyone but me got a treat last night! Ok, I did have a Coke Zero after I was done mowing!

Choco-Pyramid

Have you ever tried to construct a pyramid? How about out of chocolate cake? This was Gabrielle's request for her birthday. Not an Egyptian pyramid, just a pyramid shaped cake, chocolate of course. Jared helped with construction and I frosted it-- no easy task. Once it was together and frosted, Gabrielle thought less was more and just added a few chocolate rocks (yes, they are edible!) for a border. She also wrote her name on the cake plate. She helped decorate the table, too. We went out to eat Italian, then came home for presents and cake. Finally, the girls took the party outside and sprayed green silly string. What a mess! Since it was a school night, we ended the evening with homework. Thanks to everyone who called and e-mailed your birthday wishes!

Handy Man to Have Around

Jared is always willing to give of his time and talents to our family. He truly is a handy man to have around. He gives his best at his job, works hard at keeping fit, helps out at home, and leads our family. Among other things, lately he has built a swing for Gabrielle, killed a gigantic snake in the neighbor's yard, painted all three of our bathrooms, and he even helped me with Gabrielle's birthday cake. How did I get so lucky? Love you, Jared!

Happy Birthday Gabrielle

Gabrielle is 13 years old today! We hope you have a happy day with lots of chocolate! We are so glad to have you in our family!

Chieko Okasaki

Jared and I had the opportunity to attend a fireside given by Sister Chieko Okasaki, former first counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency of the church. It was wonderful! I am so glad we went. She joined the church in her teens in Hawaii, she became an educator (teaching nearly every grade except 3rd!) and later became a principal. She has served on the Primary and Young Women General Boards as well as her seven years of service in the Relief Society General Presidency. She has published many books and speaks to audiences around the world. She is a champion for literacy. She is now 82 years old but is still a passionate, dynamic speaker. She spoke about three things; 1. Strengthening marriages, 2. Strengthening the parent/child relationship, and 3. Reading, specifically reading to children individually for 20 minutes a day. She is known for her object lessons and this talk was no different, using a butcher's cleaver and a bottle of glue to explain the different meanings of the word "cleave". Basing the lesson on Matthew 19:5 "And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?" She explained using other scriptures (Romans 12:9, Jacob 6:5) and through following the word's etymology, that the word had two meanings of quite opposite definition. While one meaning means to split apart, another means to hold together or hold onto. To strengthen marriage, she stated, we need to strengthen individuals. We can be strengthened in Christ and His infinite atonement. She also applied the concepts to strengthening our relationship with our children, at every age and stage they go through. Finally she urged everyone to read to their children individually for 20 minutes a day. This is a program that she supports through the National Children's Reading Foundation that starts parents ready to their children from birth-- sending them home from the hospital with a kit of books, a library card, and other materials (including bibs hand made by Relief Society sisters that say, READ TO ME!") This is definitely the one area that I feel I have been successful as a mother and have a testimony of the value of reading to children individually everyday. I know what a sweet experience this is and the benefits it brings. Sr. Okasaki quoted President Thomas S. Monson's talk entitled "Hallmarks of a Happy Home" in which he outlined 4 things that every home should have : a library for learning, a pattern of prayer, a legacy of love, and a treasure of testimony. She stated that reading forms the foundation for the other hallmarks of a happy home. I agreed whole heartedly with her message and am so glad we are able to attend.

Here's a link to look at : www.readingfoundation.org