Chicago 2011

Mike and I flew to Chicago this past weekend! It was 18 degrees, mostly overcast except for sunny Sat. downtown which worked out perfectly. Friday night we had date night at Gene & Georgetti's for some fabulous steaks. When we got there Mike's brother, Ralphie, had a bottle of champagne delivered to our table. What a nice surprise (thanks RIII)! After that we headed to a Boss for a few cocktails. Great night in downtown Chicago :) Can't wait to go back (well, maybe when it's a little warmer).

Here we are in the town car heading into the city from Chicago O Hare.

Here are a few cool shots of the buildings and sky line downtown.

did I mention SNOW......

Mike standing over the Chicago River.

Sat. morning we got up early, headed downstairs for breastfast at the Conrad Chicago where we stayed and were on the streets, ready to shop, by 8am. Unfortunately the stores didn't open until 10am but it was a peaceful two hours of walking around, exploring and soaking up chilly early morning city life.

We stepped inside Fourth Presbyterian Church on Chestnut Street for a few minutes and it was breathtaking to say the least!

Sat. night we headed to Crystal Lake for the Knaack 50th Anniversary Celebration! I had the opportunity to meet all of Mike's co workers, see his office and spend the evening dining, dancing and in great conversation. They had a photo booth with props! Check this out!

Thanks for a fabulous time babe!

I love you.

Sushi :-)

Daddy was in Las Vegas for work last week so Mommy and I decided to pick up Sushi! I've had it a few times before and absolultey loved it. This time Mommy told me she was going to teach me how to use chopsticks so I could eat Sushi like you're supposed to. I tried and tried and finally picked it up! It didn't quite make it to my mouth before it dropped on my plate but not too bad for my first chopstick experience!

Mommy adjusted my hands on the chopsticks and it was so much easier!

Kohlston wasn't quite ready to try Sushi so he stuck to green beans and mac n cheese! He just started using a fork really well :) He went through this stage where he wouldn't eat veggies and Mommy was pretty stressed out over it. Thank goodness Aunt Chanda passed on her secret tip (making it fun with a straw and puree baby food). IT WORKS!!!!! He LOVES his veggy's now :)

Check out this Veggy Boy :):) Happy as can be!

Inflate World!

Inflate World here we come to celebrate Daniel's 4th Birthday!!! Kai's whole class was invited to join in on the fun. Inflate World is this huge warehouse with rooms filled with different bounce houses, slides etc... The kids had sooooooooo much fun!

Happy Birthday Daniel :) (Kai is especially fond of this little guy).

Daniel, Ava & Kailey

When I said 'WE' had fun I meant Kohlston too! Check out this action photo of the Inflate World coordinator and Kohlston going down the bounce house slide. It's priceless!!!!!

Needless to say HE LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!
Daniel & Brianna

Lily & Kailey enjoying some birthday snacks!

Back for more fun! Kai went down this slide over and over again!

Here's a group photo of most of her classmates!

Kailey's first cleaning!!!

This was Kailey's second time visiting the Dentist however, her first official cleaning. It was a success!!!! She read her "Dora Visits the Dentist" book on the way there and was more than excited about getting her teeth sparkling clean. Evereything looked good :):)

WE are working on 'no thumb sucking' and so far it's been about 3 weeks with NO THUMB SUCKING during nap time at school. It's a different story here at home but at least we're headed in the right direction. She's heard us preach all about braces........

Miss Kailey Von - we are soooooooooo proud of you!

You are our brave little lady :)

Teeny Tiny Trim!

Kai got her hair trimmed today (1 inch). Those bangs will be caught up before we know it. She looks simply BEAUTIFUL!!!

She is so grown up! She said "Wait Momma, I need to put lipgloss on"!
That's MY girl!!!!

Curly Kailey!

We ventured down the CURLY KAILEY road again and this time was a sweet success! Kailey let her rollers set all night and awoke with these BEAUTIFUL curls for school. She thought it was too cool because she looked so different.

It was hilarious because the moment Kailey stepped aways from the wall Kohlston ran over and stood there saying "CHEESE"! He wanted his picture taken too :):) I couldn't resist this little HAM!

Curly Kai enjoying some honey nut cheerios before LLC.

Kai's signature pose (please excuse the food) :)

AND then the sweet pose!

MUCH LOVE TO OUR TWO BEAUTIFUL BABES!

Mommy & Daddy love you sooooooooooooo much :)

Our newest member of the Katz Family!

Sooooooooo we have some exciting news! Recently we adopted this adorable Parson's Terrior Mix named Marley Von Katz (Kailey named her all on her own). She looked at us with those adorable eyes and we knew she needed a good home so we welcomed her with loving arms. This first photo is the introduction between Cuba & Marley in the backyard!

Both looking a bit scruffy and in need a some TLC (a.k.a. grooming) but they seem to get along pretty well.
Awwww! Now those are some FINE looking pooches! After getting to know each other a little we took them to the doggie spa for the day and they enjoyed a bath, had their nails filed and a nice hair cut.

Cuba is such a poser! I LOVE IT :)

Sweet Marley sitting on the back patio next to his new Big Sister: Kailey

Welcome to our family Marley - we love you so much already!!!

A Play Patch

Yesterday after our morning at the YMCA we went to 'A Play Patch' with our friends Lisa, Grace & Livvy. It's very similar to Gymboree and has loads of toys, houses, cars, wagons, dolls and the opportunity to meet new friends (which we love to do). During our hour playdate we also enjoyed lunch together which our Mommies packed!

Kohlston in the kitchen

Peek-a-boo
Kailey & Grace dring the big green car!

Gracie posing in the princess castle.

Little man back in the kitchen! He thought it was hilarious to peek out at me :)

Can't wait to go back!

Visitors from Honduras!

Uncle Adam, Aunt Chanda & Caleb have been in the states (from Honduras where they currently live) to await the birth of their new addition, Aubrey Cleo Zirkelbach, who was born on Jan. 3 , 2011! We haven't had the opportunity to meet her yet but we were able to spend time with Adam, Chanda & Caleb. Here are a few shots of us spending quality time together.

Kailey & Caleb rolling around in Gigi & GrampZ's front yard. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't get a picture of them looking at the same time.

Mr. Cutiepie himself :)
Uncle Adam tossing Caleb around in the air (he loved every minute of it).
Gigi Lynne snuggling with Kohlston (twins I tell yah).
Mommy & Uncle Adam horsing around! You can tell they were enjoying their cocktails :)
Mommy, Uncle Adam & their boys :)

After Aubrey was born Uncle Adam decided to give Aunt Chanda some bonding time with her new daughter and he and Caleb drove down to stay with us for the night. Caleb, Kailey and Kohlston had the time of their lives laughing and goofing off. They were hilarious. Here they are playing drums on the couch!

I love this handsome pic!

More silliness :):)

Then some ring around the rosie!

Caleb looks like he's up to something! I think he thought balancing on the train was pretty cool!

We had so much fun with you guys! Too bad you live so far away :(:(

Hope to see you soon and we can't wait to meet precious little Aubrey Cleo!

Dear Gigi Lynne

Dear Gigi Lynne,

Hi! Just wanted to send yah a message from Mommy. Yes, she knows she is slacking (BIG TIME) in the Katz Kidz blog dept. but she promises she will update it soon. We've been keeping her kinda busy ;p.........not to mention we have a NEW family member: Marley Von Katz!

We'll post pictures soon (gotta get her groomed)!

This one is for YOU Gigi Lynne:

HAH! I WUV YOU!!!