Jack's New Hat

So I haven't made a post in a long time, but this one is dedicated to my son Jack's new hat that I made him the other day. One of my more challenging projects, but worth it! The t-shirt is from westmama designs on etsy.com. My goal is to have a line of children's hats produced in the midwest so stay tuned!

I just made teensy hat for baby Donovan's trip home from the hospital. I'm hoping that will be soon, three more weeks to go!

Apple Picking!

A great way to spend a weekend, and not to mention free entertainment for a 2 year old! Here's a few pictures of my family at a u-pick orchard outside of Chicago. We've already made applesauce and apple pie is next.

Lake Shore Limited

Due to the Blizzard of the Century (strange to think that there have only been 11 years in this century) I was facing down the possibility of being stranded in New York City. Ordinarily this would sound enticing but I needed to get home to my family in Chicago. All Chicago airports were shut down so I decided to check out old fashioned rail travel.

So I embarked on an epic Amtrak train ride on the Lake Shore Limited Line. What was supposed to be roughly a 18 hour trip turned into 23 hours. But I have to say this is the way to go if you have the time; no lines, no body scanners, and a dining car to boot. All in all it was pretty relaxing and a good way to see the country. Upstate New York was the highlight of the trip, only wished I could have seen more of it before it grew dark. The snow made the trip all the more peaceful, looking out the window to see a farmhouse in a field covered by snow is soothing to the soul. There really is nothing like it.

Blizzard 2011

I just arrived back in Chicago from an epic train trip via Amtrak from NYC to Chicago. I was greeted with piles and piles of snow, altogether it's over 2 feet!! I have to admit the snow is amazing and quite a sight to see. My husband took some pictures, to give a good idea of how much snow we have just take a look at my son Jack surrounded by a tunnel of snow!

Baby Jack!

Baby Jack arrived on June 21st, 2009 in all his glory. The first Donovan (and Hopper) to hail from Chicago. We're excited to raise Jack as a "city baby" and hope to take advantage of all the amazing family activities the city has to offer. Here's a pic from our little guy's first train ride!

Baby on the way!

It's been awhile since I've made any posts but I'll get back on the bandwagon soon. As soon as I have this baby next week... due on Father's Day, June 21st!

Here's a preggo pic of me at the beautiful Warren Dunes State Park on Lake Michigan. Kind of seems like the ocean compared to Lake Erie. I would highly recommend an outing there. This summer my husband and I plan to explore more of the "Third Coast" of Michigan with baby in tow.

Roll out the Barrel

Quick quiz: What was once known as the brewing powerhouse of the Midwest?? Well I know this can be the claim to almost every Rustbelt enclave, but Milwaukee takes the cake. That and its claim to fame of the setting of a multitude of tv classics, and the mother of them all (Lavergne & Shirley if you haven't guessed it) involves both brewing and manufacturing so it's the best of both worlds. Also found out that up until fairly recently Milwaukee had a quasi-Socialist government. Hurray for public works.
(Yes that is a beer chalice)