Chicago Trip - Day One Pictures

When we last left our intrepid travelers, they had just witnessed a very cool Midwest thunder shower - from the streets of the financial district in downtown Chicago! Not real smart to be out in such weather, but cool none the less.

Just a recap, here are some pictures from Day One:


Still looking for the name of this sculpture at Navy Pier.


The Jay Pritzker Pavilion , designed by Frank Gehry.


At Navy Pier, on the shore of Lake Michigan.

.

Classic Chicago skyline from Hyde Park.


Jacob talking with Bob Newhart.


Jacob and Jennie under The Cloud Gate by British artist Anish Kapoor's. Most people call it the jellybean.


Ooh, reflect-y!



The view from the observation deck of The Handcock Building.



Ann, Jacob and Jennie checking out the view.

More pictures later...

Chicago Trip - Update

Sorry for the lack of posts on the remainder of the trip. Work was a bit busy, and I'm hopping to get some time to work on a more complete post. Until then, here is a little teaser picture

Jacob and Jennie in front of
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte by George Seurat
at The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago Trip - DAY 2

After a long first day, we slept in a bit In fact we slept in a lot! Ann's sister called us as we were still getting dressed, and told us they were just about to our hotel. We rushed downstairs and jumped into the car for a quick drive over the the Science and Industry Museum. From a capture submarine , to Jacob and Jennie making their own custom toys, we had a blast. After a bit of lunch, we then drove over the the Field Museum of Natural History. There we saw Sue, the most in-tact T-Rex ever found. Very cool!

The rains then started, and we were treated to a pretty spectacular lighting show. All in all, a great day.

Chicago Trip - DAY 1

Greetings from the 'not so windy city'! After an early morning flight from LAX, we arrived in Chicago around 1:30 and were to our hotel by around 2:30. We dropped off the luggage and set out to see as much as we could in 1/2 of a day!

We grabbed a quick bite, then walked over to Millennium Park. Very cool sculptures, fountains and general people watching. (NOTE: pictures and video will be uploaded after we get back).
We walked over to Navy Pier and got ticket for an EXTREME jet boat ride on Lake Michigan. Jennie could not stop grinning, and never put her arms down! Jacob had fun, but it did take a bit of getting used to the speed and the spray - oh yea, we got SOAKED!

We then walked over to the Hancock building- 94 stories up and a great view of Chicago.

Tomorrow, Ann's sister Kari and her husband Al are meeting us at the hotel and then we're off to the Science museum.

Underwater Fun

Last year I was walking thru Target, and I found this underwater motor-thingy. The original price was something like $140, but it had been marked down to $10! I couldn't pass up a deal like that, so I grabbed it and brought it home. As you can see, it is quite a kick to use.

4th of July

With the fire danger so high in Palmdale, we decided to go with a non traditional celebration.

I recently bought a LCD projector, and we showed the movie NATIONAL TREASURE- Book of Secrets on in our new 'Dive-In' theater. Around 8:30 or so, we settled in to watch the movie on a screen that is 19 feet wide and 10 feet tall! Very cool!

Prior to the movie, Jacob and Jennie provided quite the show - it really is amazing what Menthos and Diet Coke can do.

Happy 4th of July to all!

Big Love

Jacob worked on the HBO show Big Love today. Even though it was just under 100 degree in Agua Dulce, his costume was long pants and a long sleeve dress shirt - buttoned to the neck! But, as you can see, he didn't have it as bad as his on screen family members. All of the women were in layered long skirts, with long sleeves and buttoned collars!

Although it was hot, Jacob had a good time.

Jacob on set with two of his 'family' members.

Jennie's 1st Dance Recital

We just got back from Jennie's 1st Dance Recital. Jennie danced in two numbers; one ballet and one tap. She did an AWESOME job! Here are a couple of pictures - sorry their a bit blurry, we were asked not to use flash. Also, the dance school had the program video taped, and we'll be getting a DVD in the next week or so, and I'll put up a clip of Jennie.

Mad Men (or "Man, those shorts are SNUG!")

On Tuesday, Jacob worked on the show Mad Men, a drama about ad men from the 1960's. Jacob was part of a scene that takes place at a country club (the Griffith Park Golf Club Clubhouse) in 1962. Jacob was decked out in the trendy fashions of the time...

'Snug' doesn't begin to describe his swim suit!

Jacob had a blast, and got a couple of great pictures to remember the day.

John Hamm and Jacob.

Kim Swennen and Jacob

Science Olympiad

Late last week, our friend Ricky Meyers asked if Jacob wanted to participate in the Palmdale School District Science Olympiad. Ricky said that he had a last minute drop out, and wanted to know if Jacob was up to stepping in at the last minute. Jacob said o.k. and had two practices before yesterday's competition. Oh, and one other thing...the competition is open to 4th thru 6th graders, so Jacob (and his friend Molly, Ricky's daughter) had to fib a bit and say they were 4th graders (not 3rd!)

Jacob and Anthony after the Paper Rocket Completion

The 2008 Ocotillo Science Olympiad Team

Jacob had fun and competed in paper rocket building and in barge building. His team won a silver medal, and the other Ocotillo team won a gold!