Outings

July 8th, 2011 - Taltree Arboretum, Railway Garden

Connor and Katie had fun! There is only one section right now, so it's fairly small. They put tons of detail into the exhibit. We can't wait to see the next one!

July 10, 2011 - Grandma's 91st birthday, IL

Unfortunately, Grandma J wasn't feeling good and we didn't stay too long. After, we took Connor to the school across the street. I played there as a kid, so did my mother and uncle. Some of the equipment is still the same. I spent countless hours on this piece as a kid!

Displaying Independence

Connor is 2 yrs and 2 months old.

He can count to 15 and knows his ABCs.







He can take his shoes off, lets the dog in and out of the house, knows how to unlock and relock the back door... :) He sings Rockabye Baby and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. He knows all of his Chuggington trains by name and how to link them up to make a really long train.

Hangin' Tough

Since I teased her about not mentioning it on her blog, I really need to mention it here :) On Saturday, June 18th, one of my besties, Erika of Shane & Erika, came up for a visit and we went to the NKOTBSB concert at the United Center! That's New Kids On The Block and Backstreet Boys for those not in the know...

This was my second NKOTB concert and these tickets were a Christmas/Birthday present from my mother-in-law, sister-in-law and niece. I was never a BSB fan, but I was pleasantly surprised that I did actually know some of the songs.

Of course, NKOTB was just amazing! I love seeing how they really care about their fans. Other concerts I have gone to have thanked their fans, but these guys seem to really mean it. They know that without us fans and our undying devotion, they wouldn't have been able to make a comeback and be on tour for the last 3 years.

This crowd was a bit different than three years ago. There weren't nearly as many pins and buttons :) I don't know if it's because they've been back for a while and that first concert, no one knew if that was it or not. Or if it was because of the BSB fans. There were a ton of NKOTB shirts, not too many vintage though. The crowd seemed fairly evenly split between the two bands.

It was so nice to have someone with me this time! The last concert I went alone, 3 months pregnant. We screamed, laughed, sang and came home with sore ears and no voices. Somehow we forgot to have my husband take a pic of us before we left, but here are two pics I took from my crappy camera.

NKOTB was the first group I ever liked, and really the only one I've ever followed. I've been to three 3 Doors Down concerts and they are amazing, but I can't tell you any of their names except for the lead singer (Brad Arnold). NKOTB was it for me, the ultimate "boy band". I got the first album when I was 9 or 10. When other girls in my class switched to Vanilla Ice, I didn't. I knew who was better! I went to a Joey McIntyre concert in 2000. I have his solo albums and one of Jordan's. I still have videos from years ago, a few pins and some trading cards. I think I have a comic book somewhere.

Anyway, I was always a Donnie girl. I love him in Blue Bloods. He has definitely aged well :) He loves the crowd, the crowd loves him!