Chicago Cont'd....

I can't say enough about what an amazing trip we had to:

We played a total of 6 quiz bowl games. We only won 1 but the matches were all close with 4 of the other games. An amazing experience for
the kids. I hope we get to do it again.

This is Jacob's Gifted/Talented teacher.

We went up in the Sear's Tower AKA Willis Towers now. 103 stories~

the following are pictures from the top..(it had been raining that day, so the visibility was not the greatest, but it was still amazing)

Us on the sky deck! Notice below us...incredible!

Roger on the sky deck...

Boys laying down on the sky deck...didn't bother them..

We went to one of the parks to see the "bean"...it was incredible..notice the reflections in some of the pictures...The pictures don't even do it justice.

Look at that reflection of the city in the "bean"...

We took a carriage ride in downtown Chicago. It had been raining, so the carriage top was up, and we missed alot of sights, but it was a nice ride.

Our horse and carriage...
I wasn't able to see Oprah's studio during any of our visits downtown. So on Monday when we got ready to leave, my dear husband drove me downtown so I could see her studio! Oprah wasn't there to greet me! :(

Probably the only time I'll ever get to visit her studio. I've tried for years to get tickets to her show, and have never had any luck.

There is so much to see and do in Chicago. We didn't even touch on so many things...just not enough time. It was a great trip and very educational for the quiz bowl kids (and parents)....

Chicago

Day two of our trip and it's going good. Started off NOT so good. Suburban wouldn't start when we went to leave home. DEAD battery--had to go buy a new one. Hit the road about 6:30 am on Friday.
This was the line of traffic going into St. Louis...road construction was RIDICULOUS from there onto Chicago. We lost a lot of time!

Our hotel that we are staying at while in Chicago. Sheraton 4 Seasons-out by Chicago O'Hare Airport. Planes haven't been too bad.

John Hancock Observatory. We went up to the top on Friday night. Views were gorgeous!

My three boys at the top of the Hancock Observatory.

View from the Hancock Observatory.

View from the Hancock Observatory.

We had "Chicago Style Pizza" for lunch...I didn't really care for it. But at least I can say I've had it now.

So the reason we are here is for National Quiz Bowl competition.

So far, we have played 5 games and won 1. They have been close games and the kids have done well over all. Great experience for all of them. Jacob has been the team captain.

Went down to the Navy Pier last night. Ate, walked around and watched fireworks.

We ate at Bubba Gumps...oh my goodness was it ever good!

Michael and Susan at the end of Navy Pier.

Roger, Susan and Michael at the end of the Pier.

Sunday on the lake...

Typical Sunday afternoons are spent on the lake. Michael always has to work and doesn't get off until about 3:00. The older kids don't always hang with us...sometimes they do their own thing on the lake, but most of the time they will hang with us. Today was one of those days. All the kids hung with us....we had a nice day....
Michael workin on the tan..and just chilling out..the lake was PERFECT today..

Going on a little boat ride to Pontiac, MO to eat at "Just Jackies" with friends...Cindi and I decided we needed hats....such a great friend.

Roger had about more fun than he could handle today. He has played in a golf tournament this morning ... benefit for the Christian Clinic in Mtn. Home..then hung out on the lake in the afternoon...this is him trying to sleep after our dinner at "Just Jackies"....

Baseball

This is what we have been up to lately....baseball season is upon us...
we love our baseball and summer.

Awards Banquet

Tonight was the middle school award banquet. The kids all dressed up and looked nice. Jacob received all A's award, the social studies award and drama award. Yep, he is a little drama king!ha

Jacob and his momma....daddy was off talking somewhere...

The other lady in his life......

Family Pictures

Had a nice mother's day with my boys. They took me to Branson to eat at Red Lobster. It was good! I've been wanting some pictures of the boys, so when we got home, we went down to the white river and took some pictures....here they are.... my favorite subject...MY BOYS!

The Lake...

On Sunday, Michael and I took a boat ride up to Pontiac, MO to have lunch at a place called "Just Jackies". It was good to be out on our gorgeous lake. I am ready for my Sunday afternoons on the lake with my friends.

Bull Shoals Lake

My handsome and amazing boat driver.

This is it! The place that we ate at. We walk up that hill...sat on the back porch...it was a nice afternoon. (Roger and Jacob had gone to Fayetteville to a Razorback baseball game).

Love the Sunday afternoons.....

Look...

Look who had homework tonight! JACOB did! He NEVER has homework. Roger and Michael helped....
And LOOK who is home on a Thursday night. "Dead day" is tomorrow at U of A ...and he doesn't have a final until next Wednesday! He will be finished next Thursday! Can't believe that he has almost completed a year of college. WHOOO HOOO!