We had a great time in Chicago this summer. Our parents really made that possible, though. Here are the pictures they sent us while we were away:
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| Eli and my mom built an ocean. |
A praying mantis was found on Jessica's trampoline. Joey ended up with his first pet who he lovingly called "Green". Sadly we could only keep her (him?) alive for a month.
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| Joey enjoying the penguins at the zoo with the Dunlap crew. |
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| Joey's fav at parks. |
Not sure the occasion, but it's safe to say Joey loves cousins.
We arrived safely back in Albuquerque and got to spend another week there before going back to Texas. Here are some of the things we got to enjoy:
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| We heard so much about Sam's parents' kayaking adventures and wanting in on the action. |
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| Alas it is very low in July. The Rio Grande not so grand. |
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| Enjoying the theater before more people arrive. |
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| Sam found a kayaking panda on the chocolate Costco snacks. |
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| We had to go back to the Bugarium so Joey could show Sam the Hercules Beetle. |
Then the Butterfly Pavilion:
....and the Aquarium...
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| We found a wobbegong! The aquarium is behind on actually listing what sharks they have but we know our sharks 😉 |
And lastly the zoo:
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Had to check out the new penguins and it is a very well-done exhibit
(better have been since it was in construction for years). |
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| King Penguin. |
One of the highlights was definitely seeing our best friends, the Boyacks and their new twins!
We had a BBQ with the Hobbs side to originally celebrate birthdays, but it ended up being just a BBQ. A really good and fun one!
Grandpa knows how to bring the party!
Eden bonding with her cousin Sofie.
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Ryker found another Praying Mantis! Sadly it can't live with Green
or one of them will get eaten by the other! |
We had a birthday celebration at my parents' home and Kristy made Eden a beautiful smash cake.
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| Had enough and sat on her cake, ha! |
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| My parents with most of the grandkids. |
On the last full day before we had to leave, we went to see the Natural History Museum before having lunch at the park with Jacob and Shauna's family. (Sadly I didn't get pictures of that!)
We had a lot of fun! Although this vacation ended up being 2 1/2 weeks total for me and the kids, it ended up being perfect. We got a week mostly with my family, a vacation with each other, and a week mostly with Sam's family. And the kids love their grandparents and cousins! Alas we had to leave. Consequently Sam's parents are moving by the next time we come back, so we'll have a new place to visit.
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| Boys the morning of departure. |
