A Girls Weekend in CHICAGO!

Last weekend (ok, now it is two weekends ago--June 18-21) we went on a girls trip to Chicago. My mom, my mom's mom (Nana), my sister and I went. It was a blast! It was definitely a pampered--all girls--type of trip. We were picked up from the airport in a limo and stayed at the Ritz right off of Michigan Ave., aka, Magnificent Mile.

Here we are after arriving in Chicago.
After we checked in, we went to dinner at The Grill. Food was alright, service was slow (story of our trip)...and I ordered a Chicken Pot Pie...it was huge! Not the most flattering picture, but it captured how large it was...

On Friday we woke up and had breakfast at the hotel and spent the afternoon shopping. Most, if not all, of the stores were having big sales, so we made some pretty good dents. :)

After shopping all afternoon we went to dinner at Trattoria No. 10 (Don't think that is how it was spelled....)

And then went to the Broadway show of Mary Poppins! I got yelled at for taking this picture....and it didn't even turn out.

The show was really good--I had an obstructive view in front of me (aka, large frizzy hair) so that put a damper on it, but all in all, was good.

On Saturday we got up and went on a boat tour. I don't know who has ever done this or heard of this, but in order to go from the river to the lake we had to go through a "lock." Essentially, a while ago the river was toxic and polluted, now it is just polluted so in order to preserve the integrity of the waters, they go through a lockage process. And, the river is lower than the lake, so you have to allow the boat to get to the right level.

The process was really cool, just took forever to do it. Here is the picture when we went into the lock...you can see on the wall next to the boat how high we had to get.

And here we are just about to get out of the lock....I was pretty amazed. :)

And of course, what are pictures of Chicago without the skyline....?!

I LOVE this picture of my mom and her mom.

And my sister and I. (If you couldn't tell, my mom and Nana got the shaded seats, not so for us! It was SO hot! (BTW, I was so proud of myself...it was so hot and having my hair down did not help, so I got creative and used a ballpoint pen to put my hair up).

At the end of the boat tour.

After the boat tour, we went to the movies and saw The Proposal. Very cute. Then we did some more shopping and then it was time for dinner....because, it was my mom's birthday!! She got a free dessert.

Silly ladies... :) but sure love them.

Classy women!

Group shot at Catch 35...very good! (Again, very slow service)

My sis and I.

We got up Sunday and went to the Field Museum before our flight. They had their main dinosaur there named "Sue." How appropriate! :) This sign says, "Sue is the best of the best."

And, "Sue gets her head examined." hahaha

My mom and I on the steps of the museum.

Right before we left for the airport.

It was great a trip and one we will do annually now. And it was so fun to have my Nana there, too. Thanks for such a fun trip and getaway!!!

P.S. While the girls were away, the boys went camping, yes, even Isaac! Unfortunately, they didn't take any pictures. :( But they had fun too, but were probably more excited to have the girls home.

Taylor's BIRTHDAY!

Taylor turned 26 on Friday, June 12. I love birthdays, holidays, etc...any excuse to celebrate. I actually tried to make all of Taylor's favorite meals throughout the week, including homemade waffles on the morning of his birthday which he ate off of the red "You are Special" plate. Ironically, we've had that plate since we were married, but his birthday was the first time we used it...I always forget I have it.

That afternoon, Isaac and I took balloons to Taylor's office. I really enjoy making a big deal of it and try to embarrass him--but I played nice this year and just did balloons. :) (Remember the singing telegram I sent him for Valentine's Day in 2008?!)

After taking the balloons to him, we came home and I made him his birthday cupcakes. The theme--golf--to accompany his gift, a new golf bag.
Isaac loved the balloons... (notice Isaac is saying "cheese" but his eyes are watching the cartoons on the TV...haha)

Closer view of the cupcakes...the golf ball and the sand trap...
After Taylor came home, we went out to dinner at PF Chang's with the Hendricks and the Harlines and then went to a movie. It was a GREAT night with GREAT company!!

Saturday morning, Taylor tried out his new golf bag when he went golfing with the Priests in the ward, and we ended the "birthday weekend" with dinner in Denver at Flemmings with my family. It was a great weekend we celebrate Taylor!! I love you babe!

All Housley

It's a Housley thing--dip everything in Ranch salad dressing or cover most everything in Ranch. Isaac has acquired the love of Ranch early. Pictures to prove it:

Serious Bath Time Fun

Nana and Papa introduced a new bath time necessity: bath body paints. Isaac loves it.

"Mom...there is something on my face..."
"Look how cute I look" (And yes, Isaac did this pose all by himself....and I love it!)

Best part about this picture: Isaac's face. Ha hahahahahha, it cracks me up. I promise I conceal my "love" for dogs around Isaac. However, this picture doesn't prove that.

So fun....

And of course, the classic "Cheese" face

LOTS of new Posts

Time to catch up! So be sure to read them all....

-Tractor with Papa
-Isaac in John Taylor's chair
-Heather's graduation from UCCS
-Taylor meets a celebrity
-Day at the pool

And finally,

-Girls night out

Enjoy! Pictures of the waterfall coming up next.......

Riding the tractor with Papa

Taylor went camping with his cousins this past weekend, so Isaac and I hung out with Nana and Papa.

My dad loves riding his John Deere, and the only thing that can make it any better is to have Isaac with him. My parents have some land that they mow and it takes a long time since there's a lot of it and I didn't think Isaac would sit on my dad's lap the whole time, but sure enough, he did!! It took them about an hour or so to mow and Isaac was my dad's little buddy the whole time, it was pretty cute!

Notice the casualty: the ripped work shirt. First of all, my mom told my dad not to wear his work shirt out mowing. Then, it was either my dad or Isaac that would get hit by the branch, so my dad protected Isaac and got his shirt ripped because of it. But I'm sure glad it wasn't Isaac! :) Thanks Papa!

Prophet John Taylor's chair

On May 24, Taylor's cousin, Daniel McConkie had his mission farewell. All of his siblings and their spouses and children flew in for the event. Luckily for us, we got to spend some great time with all of them!! They are such a great family and we love them and are so happy we can be close to some of Taylor's family.

On Sunday, we went over for dinner. Mary Ann (my mother-in-laws sister...) inherited John Taylor's chair. John Taylor was the third prophet of our church. Taylor is a direct descendant of John Taylor through his mom's side, so this chair is quite the heirloom. And here is Isaac sitting in it:

"Oh, do you know what chair I am in?!"

Saying cheese!

Heather graduated with her Masters!

Heather graduated from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with her masters in Special Education. We even had Nana Great fly in for the event! (my mom's mom). This was our second graduation this month, however, this one was shorter, so it was a tad easier with Isaac.
For whatever reason, he LOVES my mom's reading glasses and always has to wear them. Hey, it keeps him entertained...

Pictures afterwards....Tyson and Heather

Group shot....Tyson, Nana Great, Dad, Heather, Mom, Me and Isaac (Taylor had to leave after Heather walked to get back to work).

Nana Great and Heather

She was "hooded"

Congrats sis!!!

Taylor meets a Celebrity!

Taylor spent five days in Chicago for a business trip. (I was supposed to go out to Utah during this time). While there, he met Aaron McCargo Jr....if anyone watches the Food Network channel, they will recognize who this is. He was the winner of their "Next Food Network Star" show and now has his own show, I think called "Big Daddy's House" or something. Anyway, pretty cool!!