2013/06/20 Thursday: Dallas Goes to the Field Museum

My little family needed a recovery day at home.  Dallas's group hit up the Field Museum, and partied like it was the Jurassic period.

2013/06/19 Wednesday: Zoo Safari

Pretty awesome day at the zoo.  Henry went into the "swamp" building for the first time (pictured).  I think doing things with his cousins makes him braver.

I did possibly, perhaps, yell a little at a woman for smoking at the playground at the zoo.  When I asked politely for her to put her cigarette out she ignored me.  When she was defending her pro-smoking position, she admitted that she knew there were areas in the zoo where she could smoke (which also confesses you know the playground is not one of those areas.)  So yelling at people might be rude.  But I maintain it's ruder to expose children to carcinogens (not to mention the foul smell.)

2013/06/18 Tuesday: Lego Discovery

My kids haven't really played with Lego toys before, but that didn't stop them from having fun at the Legoland Discovery Center.  The loved sending wheeled contraptions down the ramps.

Dallas became the supervisor for building a house out of large foam Lego bricks.  It was a beautiful structure, and when they were done they tore it down like they were Godzilla.

Henry had a total meltdown in the gift shop, which goes to show you that it's never about the day of fun you shared together.  It's really about those $17 fridge magnets your mom won't let you have.

2013/06/17 Monday: To Infinity, and Beyond

We once again visited the happiest place on earth for nerds, the Museum of Science and Industry.  For nearly two years, Henry's fear of the circus section has kept us away from the space exhibit.  (You have to go through the circus to get to space.)  I think having his cousins with him helped, and he has made a lot of progress with his phobias.  It was great to get back to outer space.  I admit I teared up a little when the moon-landing video says, "We come in peace, for all mankind."

This complex machine which sends a steel ball on an epic journey is one of Henry's very favorite things.  He could watch it all day.

2013/06/16 Sunday: Happy Father's Day!

 

For Father's day, my dad got to spend the day with 6 of his grandkids.  And of course, we were lucky to get to spend the day with my dad.

I taught Relief Society today.  Nick goes back to work as a surgical resident tomorrow, so we are enjoying the calm before the storm.

Dallas's Group is having the time of their lives in Chicago, including all the great food.  Smoque for dinner, followed by Million Dollar Quartet.  When I first saw the show, I knew my dad would love it.  I was right.

 

Gigi keeps saying "I want to hold it."  Eleanor doesn't look so sure about things.

2013/06/15 Saturday: The Smith Party

Dallas and his family arrived Friday night.  I think 11 people under our roof (including ourselves) is the new record.  The previous record was when the Rose clan visited two years ago and there were ten.

For some inexplicable reason, Dallas thought we needed a bidet.  He bought one off Amazon, had it shipped to the house, and spent his first morning here installing it.  Because of our 1948 plumbing, they had to make some sort of adapter to get around a pipe using multiple pieces.  The adapter ended up costing as much as the bidet.  According to Dallas, it's still worth it.  There was also a trip to Harbor Freight for solar yard lighting, and several "free with coupon" measuring tapes.

The annual residency graduation dinner was tonight, so Gigi and I went to Mandi's.  Gigi had her bangs trimmed and I had my hair styled for the evening.

Mandi always does such a great job on my hair, and I never get a good picture.
 
The dinner was great (especially the mushroom risotto), wonderful things were said about the graduating chiefs, and it ended with a public proposal of marriage to a graduate.  They served steak tartare, which is gross, and Nick made me take a bite.  And Thanks to Dallas and Shannon for watching the kids!

2013/06/14 Friday: Last Day of Science

We picked up my dad at a truck stop down I-80 where he's parking his Kenworth for the weekend.  I looked all over my area, and could not find anywhere for him to park around here.
After picking up his lunch at Portillo's, we stopped by Nick's office to visit him on his last day of his research sabbatical. 

His office was quiet, boring, but the kids loved the office chairs.  She fell out of the chair seconds after this picture was snapped.