1st Bowling Trip

Today Jamie and I embarked on a little adventure with the boys -- their first bowling trip!!! AMF Bowling lanes offer 2 free games/day in the summer (awesome), you just have to rent shoes -- score! James did great following rules and only almost double-bounced the ball off his toe when trying to put it away (we didn't even ask him to clean up). He started with trying to push the ball down the alley himself but then gladly took the ramp when the pro brought it over for him to use. Logan even got a couple of turns in (which were his brother's idea)! James got a 67 for his first game -- pretty awesome -- and decided it was time to go home for lunch after the 7th frame in game 2. Such a great way to beat the 103 degree heat today!

Hockey Game

For Jamie's Birthday, we joined the Schillinger fam at the last Chicago Steel Hockey game of the season. They had a suite, which was pretty sweet, so we didn't have to chase James around. He loves to watch hockey still (let's hope it remains only to watch). He even got to go in the press box with Uncle John to see the "behind the scenes." Watching the game with Daddy! Gma Chele was at the game too!

Laura, James, Dani and Jamie

Jamie and Eddie did the "skate with the Steel" after the game; Laura took James down to ice level so he could pound on the glass at them :-) He's a pro!

Just a random picture of our silly lil' man wearing Mr. Potato Head's glasses :-D

NY Jets at IND Colts

I was lucky enough to go to the Colts game versus the NY Jets with Sharon over break. The Colts were undefeated for the season, so expectations were high for a win -- too bad they pulled the starters early in the 3rd quarter and the back-up players really didn't have a shot, resulting in a loss :-( but I definitely had a great time and loved seeing the new stadium! Sharon has been a season ticket holder since the beginning of the Colts in the 1980s, so the seats were AWESOME -- 6th row, Colts sideline, right by the visitor's locker room entrance. It was so much fun -- even without a Colts victory -- all we need is a Super Bowl victory!!! James got some quality time with GG, Pops, Aunt Cassie and Daddy while we were at the game :: he was all decked out and cheering "TOUCHDOWN, COLTS"!!!
Mommy and her lil Colts fan (he had his onesie on earlier but this was at least his 3rd outfit out of 5 for the day -- those diaper changes were brutal on GG and Daddy this day)

It was snowing, so we were very happy to know the roof was closed on the stadium!

They handed out "Go Colts" signs that rolled up nicely -- good picture prop :-)

Sharon was bummed about them pulling the starters but I think she enjoyed the game nonetheless.

After team introductions, Reggie Wayne ran the field and gives props to the fans in the end zone -- I didn't even have to zoom, we were that close!!!

Peyton Manning running the offense in the huddle after a timeout.

Reggie Wayne (87) and Dallas Clark (44) at the line of scrimmage waiting for the action to start.

We had some yummy lasagna waiting for us when we got home (thank you Pops)! Uncle Larry and James show off their matching hats (Pops bought James a Colts hat for Christmas -- I'm keeping it warm until it fits him).

Chicago Wolves Hockey Game

Saturday we went to the Chicago Wolves hockey game. It was part of my anniversary gift from Jimmy, so we bundled up James and headed out for a night of fun!

Wayne Messmer singing the National Anthem -- we were just a plate of plexiglass away from him and the guy who got honored that night -- Mike N. I believe -- one of the original owners/coaches etc of the Wolves.

CHELI!!!! Chris Chelios now plays for the Chicago Wolves -- a legend in the hockey world. His sons play(ed) for the Chicago Steel where John works.
James and I got a photo during warm-ups. He didn't stay in the Baby Bjorn for long as he wanted to flirt with all the ladies sitting around us, but it fulfilled its purpose as far as easily transporting him into the arena.
SO FUNNY!!! James showed his true hockey spirit by pounding on the glass to the away team's penalty box -- the kicker was that a player was actually going in to the box -- perfect timing! (Although I believe James was more interested in his own reflection in the glass than the player going in, but still hilarious)!

James LOVED the main score board with all its flashing lights and colors. He didn't care so much for the insanely loud introduction of the Wolves' players, but it was pretty cool to see -- they have a big wolf head w/ creepy green eyes and then flames burst out of fake mountains and they have fireworks go off in the stadium during introductions -- so loud! James took a snooze on me during the 2nd period but was back for more excitement (and more flirting w/ all the ladies around us) during the 3rd. He slept well for us that night, as usual!

First Chicago Steel Hockey Game

Friday night we decided at the very last minute (seriously, I mean at 8:15pm for a 7:30 game) to go see Uncle John work and watch some Chicago Steel Hockey.
James did awesome! Once we took him out of the bundleme from the car seat, we threw on a fleece and his puppy hat to keep him warm and he sat on my lap just entranced with the game. We both thought he was trying to legitimately watch the game -- he was definitely following all the players around on the ice (he's been really liking things that are bright white and then watching the contrasting colors on it -- ie the new Gap holiday commercial -- he stops dead in his tracks to watch it -- a sucker for marketing ploys already).

We are dreading the day that James gets stranger anxiety. So far he's only played shy a few times, especially right after waking up but he normally dive-bombs for the person standing next to whomever is holding him. He kept wanting to go to John and Bailey and her mom to play with them. I guess the game was "put my hand in your mouth" as he kept trying over and over again -- maybe he's jealous of the teeth they have and he doesn't (yet, but soon, right)! :-)