Sunday Adventure: Turkey Run State Parkw

Planning something naughty
Such happy boys!
Laughing at funny mommy signing a song about poop! That's right I have to get them to smile somehow! I have no pride when I am trying to get a brother picture!
Part boy, part animal, all adorable!
My first attempt at a brother picture!
Classic
Seriously, the cutest brother talk ever!
Indiana is absolutely beautiful!
Milo made the trip and was great!
Feral animals on the loose in the forest!

We took a little road trip to Turkey Run State Park in Marshall, Indiana today! When it is 74 and sunny in the middle of October you have to be outside! Turkey Run is seriously beautiful and we had an amazing trip. We ate lunch, we hiked, we played on a playground, we checked out the river and the sandstones cliffs, and we ate snack! It was gorgeous! Milo got to come along for the hike and he did such a great job! We think he is mellowing out in his old age. He only got really feisty with a tough looking akita but we think it was all for show! Milo was the only one of our three boys to sleep on the way home! What a great way to enjoy the last of the nice fall days (Before the long hell of winter sets in...waaaaaaaa)!

And...we're back!

Yep! We are all silly!
Giving mommy a back rub! So helpful!

Well, it has been two months since I last posted, which officially makes me the worlds worst blogger (even Nikki is a more frequent blogger than I am...geesh)! We have had an epic two months! Get ready for the longest blog post ever:

The boys are absolutely flourishing in school! They L-O-V-E being in the same class and we have come to realize that there are indeed good and bad things that come with having your babies 16 months apart! We had some issues early on where the boys went into tag team mode and were disrespectful (not listening and crazy)! That happened only once! Other than that they have made new friends they are learning a ton and they love it! Nate still thinks he is a 4 year old and though we try to get him to play with 3 year olds he thinks they are babies! He is too funny!

We had LOTS of visitors! Thank goodness for the grandparents! My dad came first and the boys were in heaven with all of that guy time with Pop Pop (Sam was in heaven too, man time=cigar walks)! Then my mom was here for 1 day before she and I took off on a tri-state adventure! We were gone for 10 LONG days but she made it possible by going with me and kept me sane (mostly) while I was away! My Mother-in-Law arrived two days after we left and kept my guys in check, feed them and loved on them! Seriously, best grandma's ever!

It did take a while for the boys to recover from mommy's extended absence as I have only EVER been away from them for 2 nights! When I picked them up at preschool the day I got home, Eli and I ran into each others arms and cried! Nate didn't let me out of his sight for the first week and he is still stalking me 4 weeks later!

We have had field trips, and outings, ice skating and tennis, music and improv all of which have remained unrecorded due to the fast and painful death of my camera (Eli + camera=dead camera). But, Pop Pop took pity on us, or was so desperate for pictures that he had no choice and sent us his camera! Thank you, thank you, thank you! So these pictures are for you Pop Pop!

The King Brothers are back! Expect LOTS of pictures in the next few weeks!

First Day of Preschool 2010

Waiting at the door!
King Brothers Primal Yell
Cheesers
Walking in!

Today is the first day of the King Brother's reign of happiness at University Primary School's pre-k classroom! They have been so excited about today! These cutie-pies even chose to where matching shirts because they are brothers! Sam gave them the Brothers pep talk, so they know that they never-ever let anyone pick on or hurt their brother! They are adorable! All I could think about when they walked away is that they used to be my tiny babies! My mommy heart is a bit sore today! Sob!

Chicago: Navy Pier and the Chicago Children's Museum

You would be cranky too if your fireman pants were that tight
Awesome Eli climbing up the two story pirate ship rigging
My worried fireman!
Nate with the house and nearly naked! He is definitely going to be in the annual firemen's calendar
Two tough guys
Two jokers
Yes! A dino dig!
Because that sweet face just melts my heart!
Eli, Patches and his Pirate Friend warming up for Pirate Exercises
Reach for the sky
...and touch your toes!
Navy Pier on a gorgeous day!

Chicago! We love you! We headed out to Chicago on Sunday morning with the Lincoln Park Zoo on our minds. We had a tiny change of plans when a huge storm hit (not in the weather forecast) right as we pulled into Chi-town. So we headed over to the Chicago Children's museum which is located on Navy Pier (an indoor fun area).

The children's museum was completely fun! The fire truck exhibit was the biggest hit, followed by the dino dig (shocker), the water table (of course) and the pirate rigging climb! The boys really couldn't get enough of the fire area and we had to force them to explore the rest of the museum which they did love.

After we were done with the museum we went to the Family Pavilion in Navy Pier and watched Patches the Pirate dog and his side kick do their show. The theme on Sunday was "exercise" and it was so adorable! They asked for volunteers and Eli's little hand just shot up! He wasn't picked for the first volunteer but his was picked second! He was so brave up on stage and did a terrific job! Nate had absolutely no intention of going up on stage with a life-sized stuff dog. Uh-uh, no way.

We finished the day with a walk on the outside of the pier where we got to see the giant ships, including a pirate ship named "Windy" that we will be sailing on in September! What a wonderful day!

Champaign County Fair

The King brothers in the Engine of the little train!
Dino Boy
Seriously, could they be any cuter?
Nate on a motorcycle makes me very nervous
The little dragon roller coaster was a huge hit with Eli
Look at that face!

We had a great time at the Champaign County fair this year! The people watching was awesome, the kiddie rides were perfect and it was only 90 instead of 95! It doesn't get better than that. The boys LOVE all of the little rides and I have to admit it is so fun to watch their happy little faces!

Orpheum Children's Museum: Here we go again

Paging Doctor Eli
Cheesy Eli and his mommy

Vet Eli taking care of the kitty
Nate is a muppet
Making a point about his dino discovery
King Brothers: Paleontologists

We spent a lovely Saturday afternoon at the Orpheum Children's Museum here in town. It was so fun to watch the boys explore this old favorite. Every time we go they discover something new. The big favorites are the dino dig and the vet clinic! These little boys sure are fun!

Tennessee

Building a tree-fort on the front porch
Nature walk with Gromma
Mountain Man Eli asleep after a hard day exploring
Super sick baby Nate

Dear Tennessee,

Thank you for one of the most amazing vacations! It was such a treat to stay in our gorgeous cabin in the Smokey Mountains with Gromma and Pop Pop, Uncle Chris and Auntie Becca and cousin Emma. We loved tubing down the river, fishing, hiking, swimming and exploring. We loved every minute of our trip (Except where Nate contracted the plague and Eli developed Pneumonia on the last day). We can't wait for our trip next summer! Love, The Kings