Saturday, April 30, 2016

121.366 {2016}

We drove to Chicago on Friday night and  fireworks near Lake Michigan were going off presumably for the NFL draft that was being held there.  We made it to our hotel very late.

On Saturday, Dad went to his meeting and so the girls and I set off to explore a little of Chicago.  It was a cold, blustery and rainy day and we took a cab to the Field Museum to spend it indoors at one of the many amazing museums Chicago has to offer!  Plus, we got in almost for free because of the Indiana State Museum membership!
 We got there early and there were absolutely no lines to contend with!

 In the lobby, we were first introduced to the amazing taxidermy and preserved animals that this museum has to offer with these 2 African elephants.

 The infamous, "SUE" the T-Rex deserved a photo along with the smiling girls.  Sue is the most preserved and largest T-Rex ever found!  It is 90% complete.


 We spent a long time doing the nature walk, Mammals of Asia and Mammals of Africa where the girls got to explore and see the diverse preserved animals which many are in dioramas.  The sheer volume of exhibits would literally take months to fully explore.  


 Viewing the largest collection of birds that we have ever seen.







 Exploring "The Ancient Americas"


 The Grainger Hall of Gems was a big hit

 Exploring the "Evolving Planet" exhibit


We lunched at the museum and saw as much as we could!  It was quite busy when we left and were excited to see such amazing things.  We taxied back to the hotel and the girls swam in the pool.  The Intercontinental hotel was beautiful and historical.  It was originally a men's athletic club for the members of the Shrine organization and built in 1929.   The lobby was ornate and the ceilings and banquet halls and ballrooms were opulent and elaborate.    

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

117.366 {2016}

 Happy 11th birthday Isabelle!!!!

You are a kind and compassionate soul.  You find the beauty and goodness in all around you and are so joyful.  You play the trumpet and piano beautifully and love to listen to music.  You are almost always found with a book to read.  We celebrate you today!  We love you and wish you a wonderful day.
 After evening tennis, she opened gifts and cards and got some sisterly hugs...
 Confectioneress never disappoints.  


 She got a very special gift delivered from Hogwarts.  She said...that she was relieved that she didn't have to go to 6th grade next year!  Thank you Sofianos family!!!!


 make a wish beautiful girl
 we hope 11 is your best year yet...


Monday, April 25, 2016

116.366 {2016}






The last day of being 10.

You said you'll be just a day older tomorrow.  

Saturday, April 23, 2016

114.366 {2016}



Isabelle had a small birthday celebration with some of her friends and sisters by going to see "Zootopia" and then coming back to our house to enjoy Monical's pizza and cupcakes.  Everyone had so much fun and the weather was perfect for playing and eating outside!

Friday, April 22, 2016

113.366 {2016}

finding wishes whenever she can
Allie looking positively adorable on her way to school this morning.,

Thursday, April 21, 2016

112.366 {2016}

 gathering petals from the new fallen "snow"


 woohoo!  Ben is all finished!  Isabelle did a fantastic job on her Revolutionary War hero!


She also wrote a resume for him as part of the project.