SO, How was Vegas you ask?

I have been home from Vegas for over a week now and I am finally finding the time to blog. This is the first time I have even gotten onto the computer since last Thursday-my email was super packed! Anyway, I had a great time in Vegas hanging out with Jennifer and it was awesome to have time to visit with my brother, Michelle & Bailey. Jennifer and I spent Wednesday afternoon at the Paris spa which was completely relaxing. I had the best massage followed by a hot cup of tea that I enjoyed while snoozing on the big comfy chaise in the dimly lit relaxation room. Later on we had paraffin hand and foot treatments and spent time in the sauna which I love. We didn't leave the spa until after Eric was already checked into his hotel and ready to meet up with us.

Jenn & I thought our show started at 8:00 that night so when we went to pick up our tickets at 7:00 pm we were surprised that there weren't more people waiting in line at will call-strange? Um yeah- the show started at 7:00. Thank goodness Eric suggested walking down to Treasure Island early to grab our tickets! We had to stand in the back for a few minutes watching and then were able to be seated. We both enjoyed Mystère and would like to see another show by Cirque du Soleil . After seeing Mystère we went out to eat with my brother, Michelle & Bailey. It was late when we were done so Michelle & Bailey went back to their room to crash while the big kids went out to play for a while longer. It amazes me how quickly night becomes early morning in Vegas!

We spent a nice day Thursday at the MGM pools with my brother & family. Our visit ended with them dropping us off at the Venetian so we could see Blue Man and they could get on the road home since Eric had an 8:00 am meeting to attend Friday morning. Blue Man was not that great, we actually thought it was terrible during the first 20 minutes or so. It got better, but I would never pay to go see them again. I wish I would have spent my money to see Stomp! instead. We were so tired after the show that we went straight back to our room. I watched Juno and then fell asleep for the night.

Friday we spent the day poolside at our hotel then went to Spago for a delicious dinner. We headed over to New York New York later on that night to check out the dueling piano bar. Since it was our last night in Vegas we thought we would check out at least one club so we headed over to the Wynn Hotel. That is a gorgeous place. The club we went to was Tryst http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/#entertainment/tryst/ . It was a younger crowd but we stayed for a little while. There is a huge waterfall that separates the club from the rest of the hotel-very cool. If we were single and younger it would have been a great place to be. Saturday morning

Jenn left early for the airport and my friend Ruick picked me up. Ruick & I went out for breakfast and to Joann's to buy material for a new tote bag she is making for me : ) We didn't have a lot of time before I needed to be at the airport so we headed back to her house and went to the pool. It was so nice to be able to see her while I was there. Funny thing is I will see her and my brother again during the same weekend in August! They will both be in Chicago for their big birthday weekends. Eric turns 30 August 18th and Ruick turns 40 August 16th. I must say that as much as I enjoyed my trip I missed the kids like crazy! It was so weird not having them around. Even unnerving at times. If I ever have the opportunity to go away again it will need to be a shorter trip.

Playing the tourist we had to stop and take our picture at the sign.

Jennifer & I spent Thursday at the MGM pools with my brother & his family. It was a great weather day - not too hot! The drinks were yummy too.

My nephew Bailey & brother Eric at the MGM pool.

Jennifer & me

Eric and me

Bailey feelin' a little freezy cold!

That's a very crooked picture of me

Me with the guys who perform with Blue Man

and Jennifer

A Blue Man

VEGAS BOUND!

I am going to Vegas tomorrow evening to meet up with my best friend Jennifer who has business there this week. I can't believe that I am actually leaving town alone! I know I am going to miss my babies like crazy though! I have a hard time not being with them. The kids will be taken care of btwn my parents (mom & D are taking D, Auggie & Tia and my Dad & Deb are taking Adeline, X & O). Rick will have some or all of the kids Saturday. I return late Saturday night. I am so excited about this trip. We are staying at The Paris hotel and we have some fun things planned.

Wednesday

-Paris spa for massages & parafin treatments.

-going to see Mystère by Cirque du Soleil.

-My brother Eric is driving in from LA to hang out with us

Thursday

-hanging out with my brother

-going to see Blue Man group

-My brother drives back home :(

Friday

Thought about hiking in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area http://www.americansouthwest.net/nevada/red_rock_canyon/nca.html

but we now think we will drive to see the Hoover Dam if the construction traffic isn't too bad.

Saturday

-I am spending the day with my friend Ruick and coming back home to see my babies.

D'Angelo, Augustine and Adeline left for Michigan yesterday with Grandma Debbie, Grandpa Andy & Josh. They are spending the weekend in a cabin at Owasippe Scout Reservation. They had a great time there last year and were very excited to be going again. The kids were also excited that UPS dropped their new water bottles just before we got them loaded into the car to leave!
What am I doing with just 3 kids? Well, last night after they were asleep I went scrapbooking for a few hours at my friend Fran's house and I am going to go back over there later this afternoon once Rick gets home from work. I am working on an alphabet book for D'Angelo right now. I have decided to start doing everything clean, simple and easy so that I can actually start accomplishing some finished books. My goal is to have D's ABC book complete when I leave Fran's tonight. I'll let you all know how that goes!

Adeline's waterbottle

Here are my bathtime helpers on Thursday morning.

The big kids had a playgroup at their friend Lucy's house Tuesday morning. Little Miss Piggytails!



Monday we made our first trip of 2008 to Brookfield zoo.

http://www.czs.org/czs/Brookfield/Zoo-Home

Thanks to Gaga & Poppy for going with us.

Inside the Hamill Family Play Zoo the kids were able to touch a Madagascar hissing cockroach.

TIA at 8 weeks

Lollypops are Yummy!

On Tuesday April 29th we ventured downtown to the Daley Center to make our appearance in Adoption Court! Everything went very well. We are hopeful that the judge's ambitious goal of being finalized on June 11th will happen. We will keep you posted. It has been a long road to get here and we are so happy. I can't wait to have our boys legally ours forever!

Metra will get you there on time and save the headaches of traffic during construction season.

They have been served! The sheriff officially served the boys and presented each of them a badge.

Marshall Fields State Street lunch
D'Angelo eats noodles

Auggie does too

Chasing sky rats AKA pigeons

The boys and their much anticipated lollypop from the judge.

View from the 17th floor looking down at Daley Plaza



Tuesday was such a long day and the boys did very well . We took the 9:30 train, walked to Daley center, Lunch at Fields (Macy's), back to Daley center where we were the last family called to appear during the 1:30 call, walked back to train station to catch the 4:45. D'Angelo had a bit of a meltdown as we prepared to get off the train. He cried loudly that he didn't want to get off the train. He wanted to stay on the train with the people. It was so out of charecter for him to behave that way. He cried all the way back to the parking garage until he fell asleep in the car. Once home we thought we were okay. Until he woke up that is. Yep, he woke up and started right back into the crying about wanting to go back to the train. At that point we were worried because we were preparing to leave within the hour to go to his family awards night at AWANA. Thankfully he did a 180-got happy and we were able to take him to his last night of AWANA. Thanks to the leaders who did a nice job preparing the kids for the celebration.

They sang a few songs including

I'm in the Lord's Army

(to the tune of 'The Old Grey Mare') Actions are in blue!

I may never march in the Infantry, (march)

Ride in the cavalry, (pretend you're riding a horse)

Shoot the artillery. (clap hands together)

I may never zoom o'er the enemy, (spread arms out and pretend to be a plane)

But I'm in the Lord's Army. (point one finger up to God)

I'm in the Lord's Army, (yes, sir!) (salute)

I'm in the Lord's Army, (yes, sir!)

I may never march in the Infantry,Ride in the cavalry,Shoot the artillery.

I may never zoom o'er the enemy,But I'm in the Lord's Army, (yes, sir!)

This post is for all my friends who are wondering what Nibbles looks like inside.

Wednesday morning we headed over to a new spot close to our house, http://www.nibblesplaycafe.com/ to meet some friends of ours. I knew a few people who had already visited the cafe and enjoyed their time there so I was willing to check it out. It seemed like a great concept-a cafe where the kids can safely play while moms are able to chat. I had all 6 kids with me and I was very happy with our visit. The kids didn't want to leave when it was time which is always a good sign. They truly enjoyed themselves. If cost were no issue we would go often.