G-Ma Dime Visits Chicago

My mom went back to Seattle on Tuesday, after a wonderful two week visit here in Chicago. I had spent the previous two weeks with her in Seattle, so it had been a month together by the time we said goodbye. The whole time she kept saying how I'd be ready to say goodbye by the end because we'd be sick of one another, but that wasn't the case. We are both still a little teary as we think about how much blessed we were in July. Matt was working during most of her trip out, and so mom and I took Jackson around Chicago on our many errands and also some fun days. We went down to Navy Pier one day, and enjoyed the sun, a cheezeborger, a glass of wine and cinnamon roasted nuts- yummm. We then walked across to the Chicago River and sat to watch the sunset.










Later in the week, Matt took Jackson for the day and Mom and I had a girls day out for the Chicago River Architectural tour. It was incredible weather and we really had a great time.









Then we finished up the visit with an evening out. We went to one of our favorite restaurants, the Broadway Cellar, with Dave and Lauren. The food and company was off the charts!

Visiting

Matt was only able to stay for a long weekend but I kept Jackson with me and stayed for another two weeks in Seattle last month. I was able to meet up with some of my old students from Mukilteo and share Jackson with them. It was one of the highlights of my trip!



















Here are also some pictures of Jackson visiting with some of Matt's family. Matt's aunt Nancy, and Jackson's Great-Aunt came down from Alaska for her yearly visit and it happened to overlap with our trip! Yipee! We love our Nancy Time. Grandma Binkley and her sisters are so alike! It's so much fun with all of them. And Jackson hung out with cousin Angie. She gave him socks that look like cowboy boots- too cute!Jackson's godmother, Kalee. We used to look alike, before I got pregnant and she got tan. Whatev...

Many More "Firsts"

This past week Jackson has accomplished several more "firsts". As a mommy, I love how he continues to surprise me every day. He had his first visit to Red Robin, where his mommy and daddy's love began :) Grandma Binkley was lovin' on him big time. On July 8th we went and visited Great Mom Sheri and Great Poppy Ron and had lunch at the Club House. It was so beautiful that day and my proud grandparents were eager to show him off to all of their friends.
On July 9th, Jackson took his first ferry ride when we went over to Dabob Bay to stay with Sally for a few days. Even though it was hard for me to agree to two days away, it was much needed and Jackson and I slept most of the time. It was crazy how tired we were! When we weren't sleeping, Jackson was hard at work during "Tummy Time" and pushing his head all the way up on his own- it was beautiful to watch and he was so proud of himself.
On July 12th Jackson had his first trip to Morton's Steakhouse, downtown Seattle. This is a Dime Family tradition and it was great to show him off to the wait staff and show him what a steak truly looks like.
Then, on July 13th Jackson rolled over from his tummy to his back for the first time! You know you're a mommy when you feel like crying over something like that. We were all at Great Nana Barbara & Great Poppy Gary's house and all of us were shouting and cheering for him. It was a joyful event.

Welcome Jackson

On Saturday, July 5th, my parents threw a "Welcome Jackson" party at their place for my old friends and their friends as well. It was such a treat to see people who I haven't seen in years as well as meet new people that my parents were so proud to show Jackson off to. Matt and I felt very loved and blessed to celebrate with so many people.

*Left: "Great" Nana Barbara & Poppy Gary with Jackson

*Right: Friend from high school, Josh. We hadn't seen one another in 10 years. I can't believe I'm old enough to have friends that I haven't seen in that long!

Who has the most hot air? The guys had a contest to see who could blow up the rubber glove and pop it first. Very mature :)







Josh & his beautiful Annette

My friend, Shanica, from freshman year of college at SPU. She lived down the hall from me and I rollerbladed down the hallway past her room.







Michelle and I have been friends since Kindergarten and manage to stay in touch when I'm back in town.









Uncle Chad is loving on Jackson!









The cake welcoming our little man- it was delicious!










"Great" Mom Sheri & Jackson

Independence Day

We enjoyed our first full day in Seattle yesterday with a 4th of July party at Grandma & Grandpa Binkley's house. All of Matt's family (well most of them) came out to meet Jackson andcelebrate the 4th. Matt spent much of the day telling people "You're Welcome." and when they asked for what he told them, "For the independence I provide you." :) We shared many laughs and smiles and I was happy to see Jackson doing both of these things. He loves his family and enjoyed meeting most of them for the first time!

Great-Grandma O & Jackson
Jackson took a nap on his Uncle Chad
SMILES! :) Hi Mommy.
Cousin Amber & Jackson
G-Ma, Annette (Josh's better-half), Uncle Josh & Jackson
Auntie Ruth, Uncle Paul & Jackson
New Nike Warm-Ups for Jackson
Oh ya- Jackson is loving the gifts. Time to go.
Jackson loves his Grandma Binkley

A Long Day At O'Hare

We traveled home to Seattle yesterday. Jackson and I will be staying until July 16th and then my mom (G-Ma Dime) will be coming back with us for two weeks. Matt is only able to come out for the long weekend, but we'll take what we can get! Here is our adventures from yesterday:

Here is Matt with his one suitcase.

Here I am with my one suitcase.

And... here is Jackson with all of his luggage. Are you kidding me!?!?! Matt and I brought our wallets and iPods on the flight, but everything else was for Jackson, and neither one of us even got to use our iPods because we were so exhausted.

Matt and I have been super nervous about flying home to Seattle with Jackson, but he ended up being the least of our worries yesterday. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 3:35pm and continued to get delayed every hour because the airplane had been struck by lightening when coming into Chicago and needed to undergo inspections to make sure it was safe. Always the positive one, I was just grateful that we were going to be safe and that we weren't on the trip when it was hit by lightening. So, after a six-hour delay we were off! What a day. I was overwhelmed with emotion on the plane when I looked over at my sweet husband next to me, who helped SO much with all of the preparation and work it takes to fly with an eight-week old baby, and then I looked down to see my sweet boy sleeping in my arms. I felt so blessed. Life is good.We had dinner at the Chili's in the O'Hare airport. Mommy was more interested in the margarita then the food... :)

Daddy is so tired and Jackson is having none of it- too much to see at the airport!Getting ready to board the plane- finally passed out after being at the airport for 7 hours.

First flight- he did great, and yes, I'm as tired as I look :)