What are Mary, Justin, Grey and Hazel up to?: August 2012

Monday, August 27, 2012

Fun Weekend!

After our first week back with kiddos, we wanted to still think it was summer this past weekend. On Saturday Justin and Grey drove to the school and brought home a pull down screen, and an extra projector so we could have an outdoor movie night! Jen, Timmy, Krista, Our neighbor Kate, and Krista's sister and boyfriend came over. We ended up watching Hunger Games. Mary made chili, and corn on the cob. On Sunday we gathered up some goods from whole foods and had a picnic in our old stomping grounds at Cheesman park. Grey loved watching kids play, and all the dogs that ran by. Then we rode our bikes downtown to Civic park to watch the last leg of the USA Pro cycling challenge. Very crowded, and hot but we got lots and lots of freebies from all the vendors, and grey got to try out some kid bikes. Since it was an individual time trial were able to watch the beginning and end from one location which was sweet. Then we ended our night by having a date night with another outside movie after Grey went to bed. So much fun!

Setting up the movie night

Can't really tell, but this is taken from the house looking into our backyard

Picnic at Cheesyman

Downtown at the race (couldn't find my "No back guy" costume)

Mary's dream date

Starting ramp for time trials

Fell asleep in the trailer

Our neighbors let us pick their peach tree! We will be back for more later in the week...they are really really sweet

Dinosaurs invaded our house on Sunday as well....Grey escaped, don't worry

Sophie wasn't so lucky however

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Monday, August 13, 2012

Chicago Weddingpalooza!

A little over a week ago we got back from a whirlwind Chicago trip! Our friends Maria and Kira both got married (not to each other, two separate weddings... not that there's anything wrong with that). We had direct flights both ways, and Grey did great on the plane both times because he slept! We got into Chicago on the day of Maria's rehearsal dinner, and then her wedding was on July 28th. It really was a beautiful wedding. It took place in an old warehouse type building with exposed brick. She had it tastefully done. The ceremony was brief with very nice vows, and music by Timmy and Jeff Jones! The reception was great! Good drinks, food, friends, family, and even a photo booth! It was great to see old college friends again. It was also so nice that grandma and grandpa Christensen and grammy Cooper and Brad were able to come, not only for them to celebrate Maria and Jerry, but to be babysitters for Grey so we could enjoy lots of time with our old friends. Thanks guys! :)
After Maria's wedding, Justin's mom drove us to meet his brothers and Dad in Augusta, MI for the night. It was a brief but fun visit. Grey had a blast playing with his cousins he hadn't seen in a year. The Cooper boys were in rare form doing what they do best... drinking and eating! The next morning, we met up with Amy and the girls, and we drove back to the Chicago area to stay at the Kennedy's house in Wheaton. It was a nice break from the traveling and city life with Grey. The Kennedy girls LOVED taking care of Grey. It was so much fun walking to the park at night to play, making meals, going downtown Chicago to see the bean and eat pizza, and watching the Olympics at night. The Kennedys were such wonderful guests... we came to the realization that their basement is hands down the best place to sleep ever. Grey slept at least 12 hours every night! The girls would ask when Grey would wake up every morning... haha!
After a great visit, Amy took us back into Chicago to stay at the newlywed's apt. We also were able to visit Chris' brother and family for a short while because they lived a block away from Maria! Small world for sure. Then it was Kira's wedding time! We had deep dish pizza at the rehearsal dinner. Then Friday evening she and Tom tied the knot in a very beautiful church not far from their apt. It was very beautiful! Mary was in both weddings by the way, so she was always busy on wedding days, Grey was a good boy however. Kira and Tom had a cocktail hour on a rooftop over looking the Chicago skyline... it was awesome. We weren't able to stay at their reception very long since we didn't have grandparents readily available to babysit like at Maria's. They had a very nice reception though even with an hour and a half power outage! They had candles out at all the tables so it actually made for a very nice atmosphere. The next morning we took off back for Denver. It was great to see everyone, but equally as nice to be back home too. Thanks for everyone that helped us with our travels! Of all the nights only one of them were at a hotel room... pretty good! Congrats to our friends!