Peyton after a nap

This is what Peyton looks like after his naps...
Yeah...Chase thinks it's funny too!

Memorial Day Weekend

Matt, Chase, Peyton, Rascal, and I left Friday afternoon to go back to Odon, IN for a visit. We got in around 8:00 that evening. We spent Saturday with Matt's family in Raglesville...just enjoying the outdoors. The boys played with their cousin Logan in the rocks and sand. They saw baby calves and chickens and played with mamaw and papaw's doggies. They enjoyed seeing Great Grandma, Great Aunts Shirley and Joann, Great Uncles Sam (and cousing Michael) and Tim, and Auntie Stephie too!! Mommy and Daddy had fun riding the 4-wheelers and visiting with everyone...Mommy even took Peyton on his first 4-wheeler ride...he LOVED it! Sunday morning, Matt, Daddy Steve, Uncle Tim, and I went to a 3-D Bow shoot in Spencer, IN...it was so much fun...although after shooting at 42 targets...my arms and upper back are very sore!! We spent the rest of the weekend visiting with my mom, sister Erin, and my grandparents...just relaxing!! We love going for visits but it was great to be back home...in Macomb! We just love it here...it's truly amazes us how quickly this little town has become home to us. For me...it's because of my new church home! I love you...my Crossing family!!! (I don't have any pictures for this post because silly old me actually forgot my camera...can you believe it???) I hope everyone has a great week!!!

Our First Trip to the Zoo

We took the boys for their very first zoo experience today...to the Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley, Illinois (located very near the Quad Cities). It is a small zoo but perfect for small children...it only took us 2 hours to walk through it! Chase was more interested in running all over the place but did take notice for animals like the lions, elephants, and snakes. Peyton was excited about the whole experience! He smiling almost the entire time. Here are pictures from our day...

Rhino Fun...

at least Mommy looked at the camera!

Peyton enjoying the giraffes

Daddy and Chase with a ssssssnake!! Chase loves them!

Peyton liked the gorilla until the darn thing started to move...then he wanted his mommy!

Chase on his elephant...he thought the ride was pretty cool!

The petty zoo...the sheep (which was eye level and about 2 inches from Peyton's face) decided to BAAAA as loud as he could...scared pour Peyton to death!!

Daddy showing the boys that the sheep are really okay...they were just being noisy!!

Chase and the Billy goat...doing an ear inspection!

Chase getting a kiss (how lovely) from the goat!

Daddy and Chase on the pony ride...his name was sugar cube...Chase seemed to enjoy the ride. Peyton did not go...after the whole carousel ride I didn't think it wise!

On the Choo-Choo!! Oh my goodness...Chase and Peyton LOVED the train!

And finally...our little caboose! Thanks for stopping by to see us!!!

Stormy Mom's Day

I don't know what your weather was like yesterday but we had several storms through the night and they continued into the morning...it was SO windy that the tornado sirens went off in town! That all made for quite the interesting morning at church...the power went out 3 times!! It was fun though and it definitely didn't hamper the services! After church we went to mommy's favorite restaurant, El Rancherito! I LOVE Mexican food!! It was delicious! The boys had a beef burrito, refried beans, and rice...and loved every bite!! We came home for naps and when everyone was up we went for a stroll at Farm King (it really is amazing how much stuff they have) and then to Kmart because we hadn't been to that store yet...mommy got a new straightening iron for her hair...yay...the old one just decided to go on the fritz yesterday...but after 11 long years I would say it was entitled!! We ended the day with movies and m&m's! What a perfect day with my family...I am so blessed!!!! Here are some snapshots taken this weekend of my boys!

Watching Indiana Jones with Daddy
Guess what? I have a new tooth...it's a jaw tooth, mommy says those hurt alot!

I LOVE to be tickled and now I ask for it!! "Ticko?"

Chase's Eyes

Hello everyone...most of you know that Chase has a problem with his lower eyelashes rubbing the surface of his eyes due to the position of the lower lid...anyway...we went to Peoria yesterday to meet with a pediatric opthamologist and she has referred us to the pediatric ocuplastic surgeon. We will be meeting with her on Wednesday, June 4th to discuss correction options. It was a very stressful day for both of us but we made it through...and slept until 7:00 this morning!! I'll keep you all posted.

A Night in Rio

Matt's boss, Mr. Ron Peterson is on the Alumni Foundation Board of Directors at WIU and invited us to attend the annual Major Donor Banquet as his guests. It was a Black Tie event to celebrate the $1.7 million that the foundation had raised this year. It's my understanding that they always have a theme for the evening. Last night's was A Night in Rio. For Happy hour, the university's steel drum band played several selections. When dinner began, we were escorted into the Grand Ballroom.

Grand Ballroom
The table centerpieces. We were at table six - basically front and center - which was great for me because I had a great view of "Dance Trance," the professional dance team that was the entertainment for the evening.

The only picture of us from last night...not great, but you "get the picture" so to speak.

We were ushered into the ballroom passing by the live statues (Dance Trance members).

More Dance Trance members...these two were part of the welcoming committee. There costumes for the evening were just amazing.

One More of Erin