Thanksgiving first! Mashed potato style!

Well, we did it. Another successful Thanksgiving day feast prepared by the spectacular cook, Patricia. She dazzled us with a few delights - turkey, stuffing, cranberries, corn casserole, asparagus casserole, and - yes - mashed potatoes.

Hailey took to the potatoes as well...






We planned a quiet evening with the four of us. We watched some football, played with the kiddos, and finished up the cooking. Ben had another plan though - no eating for him. Just two rolls and he was done. The even the chicken - aka turkey - was a little too much for him. But he was okay with it all, especailly after we started to feed Hailey her first real food. Just a bit of mush, a bit of potatoes - that was it. But it made a memorable night and a memorable Thanksgiving for us all.


Happy Thanksgiving for all of you too!

- Brian

Abby is such a good dog!!!!

Abby's making sure Hailey doesn't get near that cord.













Or, she's wondering where her life went so wrong.










She decides to embrace it! KISSES!








Abby is such a good dog! It seems lately no matter where I lay Hailey down she rolls to be right up against Abby and Abby just takes it. Hailey gets such a kick out of watching her. Too cute.

Things are well here. Busy getting ready for the Thanksgiving holiday for which I am preparing a traditional meal for our little family of 4. I have just about all the fixens ready. We're hanging in Oak Forest for the big day. Then Saturday head over for a tailgate style celebration at the Huling house.

We're also trying to teach Ben that he will soon be THREE years old!

We're getting ready to run some errands as soon as Ben wakes up to further prepare for our holiday! We WILL get to some more pictures, videos and updates ASAP!!!

Hailey and the Clown

Guess who is the clown.





More back logged video and pictures to come!

Viva Major League Bishop!

- Brian

Hailey's 5 MONTHS!

So yes, I climbed the Willis Tower this morning (See previous post). But, it's also worth mentioning that Hailey was 5 months old yesterday! It's already going so fast! She continues to be one of the happiest babies I've seen, more and more smiles and LAUGHS every day! More updates to come, but I'm going to go ice my feet now!

103. No Problem...

Reasons to not climb the Willis Tower:
1. It's tall
2. I just had a baby 5 months ago
3. Plantar fascitis flare in both feet
4. PNEUMONIA! I've been sick for the last 3 days. Total laryngitis followed by a nice sounding productive cough.
5. It's tall
6. I think I twisted my knee in the shower this morning.
7. It's tall


Getting ready to start! These are 4 of the 9 from the Homewood clinic. Here, I'm still happy. Nervous, but happy.








I thought I'd try to get a self portrait on every ten floors. When I missed the first 10 I knew I was in trouble. Notice the numbers from here on out. Also the open, gaped mouth is due to GASPING for air. I'm not exaggerating that I have some major respiratory issues going on!






Finger covered the flash. Didn't care. My legs were burning quite a bit at this point.










Legs are starting to go numb which is nice. Breathing is becoming more and more an issue!







Here I'm wondering why I thought I could do this in my condition. I found peace in that I could bail around floor 53. I mean, who would take care of my kids?!?








Nah, I can do this! Finger covered the flash again. But by now my hands were going numb. I think my blood flow was forced to my vital organs in an effort to keep me alive!








I actually got a 10!!!! Excitement short lived. I'm only a little over half way there.







I'm starting to hallucinate at this point. Like last time, its around now I want to start punching the cheery volunteers and all their happy screams! Who do they think they are? Did they do it? No, they took the elevator to this point!






I'm just laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation. I mean, who in their right mind does this! It's funny, right?!






And yes, the pictures in the stair well stopped at this point. I was focused on breathing. I was also pretty sure the dude ahead of me was going to pass out so I was trying to stay strong for him. I honestly thought I may be needed for CPR. I've never heard someone breathing like that!






31minutes, 40 seconds after I entered the stairs, I exited!








Feeling better. Ready to do it again! KIDDING!













Out on the ledge. It doesn't seem so tall all the sudden!















Here's our whole group. We did it! We all went out to breakfast after, refueled and patted each other on the back! We deserve it!




So, I didn't break the 30minute mark as I wanted to, but will take the fact that I finished when I was considering Urgent Care yesterday for this cough. We had a great, supportive group and we're all set to break records again next year!

Halloween 2011!

Getting ready to go! The kids weren't too scared of me. I figure I feel like a zombie these days, why not dress the part?!






















Ben was a pro! He wanted me to stay on the sidewalk even! He was very good at saying Trick or Treat and thank you to everyone!





























Ben with his bounty!












Then after the fall. Yup, I haven't seen a melt down like that...well...EVER! He was upset that "his people" aka: trick or treaters, stopped coming! Then just called it a day by the front door.













Hailey slept in the stroller during trick or treating! People wondered where her bag was. Seriously!?!









Her crash was a little less dramatic than Ben's. Such a sweet girl!