Happy Birthday Shelby!

This Saturday was Shelby's first birthday party. There were so many paparazzi around while she opened presents I could not get a good shot. But I got her eating cake, and boy did she eat it.

Here is one party guest. Nolen by the pool.

Jamie let me play with her lens and this was from all the way up by the pool.

Her shirt needed to be washed, it was COVERED in icing.

All she needed was a little dip in the pool...

...and she was good to go.

Here are some more party guests. Makyna staying close by mommy.

Two of the great grandparents.

Drew, right before he fell off the see-saw. But still smiling!

Makyna cheesing.

Mitchell shivering.Trevor dipping his hair in the pool.

Thanks Shelby for the breakfast! I hope you enjoy all of your presents!

Slumber Party with Mitchell!

Maggie, Emily, Jessie, and I went swimming with Mitchell, Kristin, and Shelby around the beginning of August. We always joke with Mitchell, telling him that if he comes and stays with us he can stay up late, eat all the sugar he wants, play video games all night...you get the idea. Well this time he bought it! He actually came to stay with us all night long and didn't miss his mommy at all! JK :) (the pictures are a little out of order, sorry)

Mitchell informed us that he has been practicing to be on the show "Wipeout". After a few hours of the Wii, Maggie and I decided to make a course at the house for us to "practice" on. Here is Mr. Hula Man ready to go.

Wipeout 4 from Chelsea Bates on Vimeo.

Wipeout 3 from Chelsea Bates on Vimeo.

Maggie just could not let Mitchell beat her, it just isn't in her.
Next, we played dress up. Don't let the hat fool you, Mitchell is the good guy.




We painted Mitchell's superhero in our painting room earlier in the day, but since he is a superhero we needed a picture. (He did not like the mask, he thought it meant he was a bad guy, oops. But he got used to the idea of a good guy wearing a mask)

He put his handprint on the wall of handprints

He killed a bad guy with his ninja star.

He ate chicken nuggets while watching SpongeBob.

We stayed up late watching Finding Nemo.

Mommy and Shelby came the next day to join in on the "Wipeout" fun.

Now he knows who's boss! (is that Shelby smuched under her brother?)

She loved the cushions.

Now that I think about it, everything we joked about doing with Mitchell we actually did! Thanks for coming Mitch, can't wait till next time!

St. Louis/Chicago Part 2

Tuesday.

Oliver woke Maggie up bright and early. We were all exhausted by now from many late nights and early mornings, but we were so ready to sight-see it didn't matter.

We stopped to take a picture on the way to the train station. (FYI this is not Nikki's apartment, mom just wanted to stop and take a picture here)

The train!

Mom looking cool, paitently waiting for a seat.

Me and Maggie were used to the train, it is much like the MTA bus (no seats, loud, crowded) which we all rode EVERYDAY!

This is in front of the Shedd Aquarium!

Mr. Starfish in the tide pools.

The deck at the aquarium had a beautiful view.

This is Mr. Turtle who was hanging on tight to his lettuce.

The dolphins at the dolphin show we got to see! It was awesome.

America's Next Top Model. Tyra would be proud.

Now, we're waiting for the water taxi.

Off to Pier Park.

Yes, we rode this thing...

Maggie was NOT happy.

We were so proud of mom because she really hates heights!

And on to the swings...mom rode the ferris wheel but was to scared to ride the swings...we didn't understand.

We ate dinner at Bubba Gump's Shrimp Company. The food was GREAT but because we sat outside we had a few little visitors. We were enjoying our fantastic meal when we hear Joanna say, "Uuhhhhhh, uuhhhhh Maggie. Uhhhhhhhhhh", as she scoots closer and closer to mom. After about two whole minutes we finally got it out of her. She said, "UUHHH SPIDER!" Maggie and I of course jumped right up. We called a waiter over and he, who was scared of spiders, grapped a napkin, lunged toward the table, smashed it, and ran away....so we thought we were in the clear. Maggie and Joanna both found a another spider each. The little girl at the next table said, "We already found 5 over here." Great. The next waiter we asked for help just said, "Oh they're everywhere, it's ok." No, no it's not. Needless to say, Maggie, Joanna and I left while mom calmly finished her meal.

But the food was great!

After we got home and relaxed for a bit, Nikki took us to an awesome yogurt place where you get your own yogurt as well as whatever toppings you want. You pay per ounce. It was great!

Thanks Nikki!

Day 2 of Chicago coming soon.