bou-tang clan: 2012

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

popcorn with grandpa

We need some nice distractions today, Election Day. As we anticipate the outcomes of today's election, I thought it would be nice to post a couple photos of Gandpa Frank. Grandpa has visited us a couple times this month while passing through on business. Jackson and Will go wild when we mention popcorn. They go running for the popcorn machine every time. What's even better is popcorn with Grandpa! Good thing we love it as much as he does. This past Sunday Grandpa was in town - popcorn was made and games were played (Sorry and war). Thanks Grandpa! We love you!

We, especially, are watching MN and the marriage amendment. Love is love! Here are a few videos of the boys this morning playing ring around the rosey (or is it rosy?) (http://youtu.be/O5-bEM0_AkA and http://youtu.be/bWmGU1J0auA and http://youtu.be/hu_zxrJI0DY).

Monday, November 5, 2012

Halloween 2012

Halloween was awesome this year. Woody (Jackson) and Buzz (Will) made an appearance, brought to you by the help of the fabulous Grandma Chris. Becky and Donny were Woody and Buzz about 15 years ago. They were the cutest Woody and Buzz we knew, and there's still a photo on the Bouressa fridge to prove it. Jackson loves Toy Story so when he asked to be Woody, we knew who to talk to. The Buzz costume was a bit big so I tried my best to size it down without doing too much damage (it was an okay job, you might notice the legs didn't look the best but it was only for an hour or so). Woody's costume was pretty easy. Grandma made some awesome cover boots because I had little luck finding used cowboy boots. And I put together a hat by painting it brown (it was a red used hat that Grandma found for a buck) and adding rope to the brim. Enough of about that. The boys had a blast. We met up again with some of Jackson's friends for trick or treating (check out last year). Will was mobile and he loved it, so much it was hard for us to finish up tying his Buzz wings on. We can't wait until next year when we don't have to hover over him near stairs.

Jackson had a blast with his friends, especially Oliver. They lead the way to each new house, and never asking to eat their candy. In fact, at most of the houses they would proudly hold up the candy they got and say "look mom, look what I got." Jackson and Oliver even said "no thanks" to an older woman handing out baked goods. I'm sure the cookies were more than fine but Monika (Oliver's mom) and I were pretty impressed.

First year of not painting our pumpkins. Jackson made the face and Mama and Daddy did the carving.

Finished products.

Woody and Buzz (1997ish Becky and Donny and 2012 Jackson and Will).

Who goes there?

Need some help Buzz?

First house.

C'mon Buzz, next house needs us!

Buzz is on the move.

Woody and Oliver the astronaut.

This house in Hyde Park is always a hit with the decor.

Group shot.

Group shot again ... Buzz is off saving the day!

Jackson will randomly - totally out the blue - say things like "There is a snake in my boot" or "Reach for the sky" or "You're my favorite deputy" or "Someone's poisoned the water hole." Next year he wants to be a firemen. He plays it every day at school with their dress up clothes. We'll see what happens over the next year!

Video of Buzz trick-or-treating - http://youtu.be/0guJhJVmdNw
Video of Woody trick-or-treating - http://youtu.be/05hvSh5_F1A
Video of Buzz meeting Buzz - http://youtu.be/tczhKcIzJSM

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Popp's take on Chicago

We were so lucky to have Aunt Zan and Conner find time to come visit this fall. Last weekend was so much fun. They arrived Friday afternoon (via train) and left Monday evening ... boy, did we pack in the fun! Here was our itinerary:
Friday - took a stroll to our neighborhood parks for some much needed fresh air. Conner and Zan were on the train for 9+ hours.
Saturday - per Conner's request we were off early to the Field Museum to visit all the dinosaurs! We had a blast. Saw Sue and the other dinos. Played in the kids area so Will could stretch his legs a bit. Will loved the drums and music room while Jackson and Conner enjoyed the animal costumes and pretend corn field. Since Aunt Zan got all of us into the museum for free with her nifty museum membership card, she treated us to a special exhibit - Underground Bugs. After the museum, we got outside and went to Millennium park for lunch and a quick visit to the Cloud Gate.
Sunday - we went to one of our favorite Hyde Park playground, Bixler. We made pumpkin rice krispies. And visited another favorite park in our neighborhood.
Monday - per Jackson's request we visited the Museum of Science and Industry, our favorite. Jackson got to show Conner the tractor and combine, and also the airplanes, trains, sub, lunar module, etc. After MSI, we met up with Daddy and Will for lunch at Medici's, a Hyde Park classic restaurant.

And then just like that there were off, on their plane back to Kansas. We miss them! And can't wait for the next visit!

Sue

Famous taxidermist, Carl Akeley, and his elephants.

Conner, what's this dinosaur called?

Remember our first visit to the Field (here and scroll down)

Underground Bug exhibit - here they are snapping. Favorite part of the exhibit was the shrinking room. We had to become small in order to go underground.

They wanted to see how low they could crawl.

It was pretty windy, Will was happy in his stroller.

Can you find us?

Kelpies, just outside the museum campus.

Only picture from Bixler. Will's a keeper!

At our neighborhood park, rocket park as we call it (for Andy its a park on Greenwood between 54th and 55th called Florence Stout Playlot, large green space with a softball diamond and a medium/small hill for sledding).