Storybook Gardens-Wildlife Park/Dells Mining Co.

On our second day we went to Storybook Gardens/Timbvati Wildlife Park and Matthew did some mining at Dells Mining Co. The wildlife park was so cool with many different animals. We actually learned that the animals that we see at Goebberts in the fall are the animals that are kept here. Matthew loved mining for the rocks. How could he not it combined all his favorite things-rocks, sand, and water.

Chasing the ducks at Storybook Gardens.

Grant told Barbie she should kiss the frog to find the prince, so Matthew kissed it instead. This is him right after he kissed it.

Daddy and Matthew feeding a Grant's zebra.

Feeding the giraffes. This was very cool.

Feeding a joey. Matthew was hesitant at first but did enjoy giving him the bottle with Papa's help.

Mining for rocks and gems.

Sifting threw the sand in the water.

His haul-amethyst, ruby, sapphire, emerald, onyx, pyrite, and more.

Listening intently while the girl told us what each of his rocks/gemstones were.

Matthew and his back of treasures.

Cave of the Mounds/Little Norway

On our last day we went to Little Norway and Cave of the Mounds. Little Norway was more for Grant and Papa but Matthew was a trooper. We didn't let him in many of the buildings because you aren't allowed to touch things but he had a lot of fun outside. At the cave he was fascinated by the dripping water. He kept saying, "_______ is all wet."

This building was at the 1893 World's Colombian Exposition in Chicago.

Daddy & Matthew in front of a stabbur (food storage house).

Daddy, Matthew, & Mommy at Little Norway.

Looking up at the stalactites.

Grant looking like he got a little dripped on.

Daddy & Matthew in the cave.

Auntie Barbie & Matthew in the cave.

Going downtown

Matthew enjoyed the train ride downtown. (This was actually a month ago but we just got the pictures now).


We were going downtown to walk around and meet Daddy for lunch.


Mommy, Grammy, & Matthew


I was surprised he actually sat by these figures, sometimes he can be a little scared of these kinds of things. I guess because they were legos he felt safe. In his hands he has lego Buzz, Woody, and Little Green Man.


Matthew & friend

Zoo Fun

Daddy and Matthew in the new bear exhibit at Brookfield.


I'm not really able to tackle these kinds of feats in my present condition so Grant gets to do it. They were having a lot of fun.


We love the playgrounds at the zoo they have rubber mats underneath and the slides are low to the ground. Perfect for Matthew.


I think daddy won that race.


I see you.

Matthew's New Digs

Matthew got a new clubhouse this past weekend. The first day we got it Papa and Daddy put it together in the rain. Matthew was quite upset when he could only play in it for a minute.


Luckily, it was nice the next day so here he is enjoying it.


Peyton looks at it and thinks is this my new dog house?


Guys have a "man cave" well one of Matthew's "man caves" is outside. On our upper deck he has a sand/water table, easel/table, swing set, and now a clubhouse.

Museums

This is at the Museum of Scienec and Industry. It was a free day last week so we went there. Here Matthew is pretending to sleep in a submarine bunk.


Matthew and Papa by an anchor.


Watching all the cool trains go by.


Did somebody order a pizza? This was at the Kohl's Children's Museum.


Making pizza.

Toy Story

Matthew's love of Toy Story extends to his pajamas too. He recently got this pack where one pair is Buzz and the other Woody. He is obsessed with those movies and we are hoping to make Toy Story 3 the first movie he sees in the theater.

Matthew at Play

How good is he, he is staying pretty much in the lines. It is also quite colorful.


You know you are hard at work when you stick your tongue out.


He loves to line up all his "guys" as we call them, especially Toy Story guys.


I guess the cats looked like they had fun when they played in it.



This table was the best investment we made. He sits there all the time and plays. We purchased it as another place for him to play so that his train table was actually used as a train table. Now I can't keep him away from it, he will move that chair all around the table to play. It is very adorable.

Undressing myself

Matthew now tries to take off some of his own clothes. This is one of the times he attempted to take off his shirt.

And the Baby is going to be a...

We had our 2nd trimester ultrasound last week and we found out we are having a girl. Grant and I each had to come up with a list of 10 boys names and 10 girls names and then we would compare. If we had some names in common or at least some from both lists we could talk about we weren't going to find out the sex. Out of both lists we had one name in common and the rest were very different. I didn't want to have to argue about boys and girls' names for months so we found out. Now we only have to argue about girls names. Actually, the one name we agreed on was a girls name so at least we have a starting point there. The baby is doing well everything is normal she is currently 10 ounces. The ultrasound technician said that she though this baby was going to be very independent because she would not sit still to be measured or stay in any position the tech wanted her to. Therefore, we really don't have any good ultrasound pictures this time. Matthew keeps telling everyone we are having a boy. I think he doesn't really understand the difference anyway.

Yeah, it is warm!

Last week it was really warm so on Thursday we went and hung out at the River walk in Naperville. It was a beautiful day to do this and Matthew had a great time. He wanted to feed the geese and ducks. Unfortunately, we did not bring bread so he gave them a few goldfish crackers instead. The park was made just for his age group. His favorite part was of course the sand area.

What a different swing.

Easter Fun

We had an exciting Easter weekend that started with the 2nd year we did the egg hunt at our pool. Matthew was not very photogenic this year and refused to sit for a picture so here are a few shots we got.

Aqua Egg Hunt at the pool.

Hunting for eggs at Grammy & Papa's.

Matthew & Mikayla with their eggs.

Dyeing eggs.

Look what the Easter Bunny brought.

My Pets-by Matthew

If its black just click play and it should work.

Matthew would like to introduce you to all of our pets. The cats-Homer, L.S., and Wrigley. The dogs-Peyton & Nova. He also likes to say "R you...?"