Cook-out and college football!

Our friends, the Melker's, who also have triplets invited us over for a cookout at their house. My college (TCU) was also playing that day. Since I am a huge fan and former cheerleader, Brooks, Reese and Sloane were sporting their TCU gear.
Our friend and photographer, Betsy, was also there and captured this photo of the trio: www.betsymariephotography.com

Home at last! What do you do when it rains!

Well, ever since we have returned from our vacation to Chicago the weather has been horrible! It rained the entire 10 days we were gone and has continued to do so since we have been home...

So, when you have 2 1/2 year old triplets you have to be creative!
Here are some of our play times...

I wonder how all of those toys got in there??

Oh...that's how!!

Couch...aka "tent" or "fort"...

Playing at the mall!

Brooks must have REALLY missed his toys because he decided to stuff them into the doll stroller one day!!

Hard at work!

Day 10 of vacation: Sept 12...coming home!

After 9 days in the Chicago area, it was time to head back home. We decided we wanted to do the drive home in 1 day....and luckily we were successful!
Our children were amazing in the car! I DO think part was the DVD player we have....as well as new toys and plenty of snacks!

Here is Sloane....wearing Daddy's Cubs' hat and drawing with her mini Doodle Pro.
Reese, reading....if only potty training were as simple as reading a book!

We left at 6:00 a.m. that morning......3 sleeping children....ahhhh...

The day of the Cubs' game, we took this photo....all wearing our Cubs shirts. I think Reese fell asleep!

Check out our car! Three pack n plays, strollers, cooler, suitcases for all of us!

This was our 2nd road trip with Brooks, Reese and Sloane. It was an amazing vacation....good family time together! I can't wait to travel again next summer!

Day 9 of vacation: Cubs game!!

From the moment I met Steve, he has been talking about his love for the Chicago Cubs! So, on the last day of our vacation, we went to a Cubs game! It was a blast! We had amazing seats and the Cubs won! I had to try the "Old Style" beer and hot dog....like a true fan!

Celebrating the Cubs win at a place called the Cubby Bear...

Go Cubs!!

Yea!!

Steve's friend and his friend's wife took care of our three children while we went to the game. So sweet! Plus, they are one of the four sets of godparents for our children....so they were happy to help out!

We bought Janine a Cubs shirt as a "thanks"...here we are!

Day 8 of Vacation: Sept. 10

After 2 days in the city, we left Chicago to spend some time with Steve's childhood friend and his family. I took some pictures of the city as we were leaving....

Here is a nice shot of the Sears Tower: Sears Tower up close!

The view from our hotel room was breath taking! I had to get one more shot before we left!

Day 7 of vacation: September 9th in Chicago!

Our 2nd day in Chicago was very eventful!
We began the day at Navy Pier. It was cloudy in the morning so we did not realize that the trio needed sunblock. Reese has a little red nose by the end of the day...luckily we kept Sloane covered or she would have been red as well.

Here we are on Navy Pier. One of our attempts to get a family photo. :)

The Ferris wheel on Navy Pier...

Sloane, Brooks and Reese...

The trio hanging out...

While we had the trio in their strollers, we were able to get a shot together!

This is the Chicago Anchor on Navy Pier. Amazingly, the trio loved playing on the anchor....we were here for awhile!

I love this picture of Brooks....the flags in the background....

This is Michigan Avenue. We were not able to walk along the water because there were not any elevators. So we decided to look from above instead of carrying strollers and children up and down several steps!

After a morning on Navy Pier, we decided it was time for some Chicago pizza! My pizza was awesome! The only negative was that it took 35 minutes to cook! Not good when you have 3 two year olds! Well, we made it and everyone enjoyed their pizza!

The trio outside of the pizza place. They were singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star..."

Several friends have told me about Garrett Popcorn so I decided to try it out! "The Mix" was awesome (cheese and caramel together) and I am not officially addicted to it! Thanks goodness they have a website!

As we were walking along, we noticed a crowd outside one of the T.V. news stations. They were broadcasting live so we watched for a moment. Next thing we knew, the camera was focused on our three children. Nothing like 5 seconds of fame while you are on vacation! This is the local weather man for the station:

Another shot of the city......I could not get enough...the energy....the beautiful architecture!

There was a "mini" mall along one of the streets where we were walking so we went in to check it out. We found a Lego store! So fun! The trio was very entertained....buidling...throwing Lego pieces....etc! We were suckered in to buying some gifts...even though we have a Lego Store in Dallas! Oh well. :)

For dinner that night, we returned to Navy Pier. After dinner, we let the trio run around before we took the walk back to our hotel. Here are some shots:

Finally, back at the hotel!

The next morning, I awoke to find Brooks in bed with Daddy....so cute!

We had an amazing time in Chicago! I wish we could have stayed another day....maybe next time!

Day 6 of Vacation: Tuesday, September 8 in Chicago!

After our visit in Steve's hometown, we drove into the city of Chicago to spend 2 days with Brooks, Reese and Sloane. The city was amazing...so much to do and see.

The day we arrived into the city, Oprah was filming her season premiere show and several streets were blocked off. We did hear (could not see because it was so crowded) The Black Eyed Peas!

We spent day 1 visiting the Shedd Aquarium and later at the Lincoln Park Zoo! A busy day but the Trio were troopers!
Here is a view of the city from our hotel room! Isn't it nice? We were on the 26th floor!!

The Trio LOVED the dolphins at the aquarium! They laughed and giggled every time they swam near the window...so cute!

Here we are looking at the large fish tank at the entrance to the aquarium...

The Trio also loved the penguins!

Heading into the aquarium...

Eating lunch at the aquarium.... If I lived in Chicago I would eat lunch here everyday! The view was beautiful!

A family photo outside of the aquarium...not sure what Brooks was doing to Steve's ear...

A little nap during the drive from the aquarium to the zoo!!

The Zoo! I think we are a little cranky!

Monkeys!

This little guy decided to hang from his rope and then proceed to "pee pee" on the window...nice! The Trio thought it was funny...

I have never been this close to a giraffe!

Alligator!

We also saw lions, tigers, polar bears, zebras, and gorillas. It was hot that day at the zoo so many animals were inside.

After the zoo, we went back to the hotel.
Here is the Trio playing in the window seat of our room....fun! They were each allowed to chose one stuffed animal from the zoo...as you can see, Sloane LOVED her giraffe and Reese LOVED her alligator!