Live A Revolution... Every Day

Trains, subways, Cubbies & Carter

So this past Friday, me, my brother-in-law Matt and Carter took the day and went to hang out in Chicago.

Carter's first "Choo Choo" ride via the South Shore train system. He was none-stop talking the whole way up. I love watching him when he's that excited.

After arriving in Chicago, we took the subway to Chinatown. I've never been there and have always wanted to go. So we did. We walked one of the main streets where a funeral happened to be ending. I'm fairly certain it had to be a mafia funeral based on the "body guard" looking dudes standing outside the funeral home's doors. Plus, one of the "drivers" was not in a good mood and happened to be talking about how he was going to "hurt" someone. So, after kissing a few of their rings we let the processional pass by and headed back to the subway after spending 10 minutes on the streets in Chinatown. It just felt like the smart thing to do.

Next stop, Wrigleyville.

On the scoreboard, it says Baby Ruth. That's because there was a contest to have a chance to sing the Seventh Inning Stretch at a Cubs game. I was one of roughly 1100 people to try out. I thought I had a secret weapon, Mr. Baby Ruth himself, three year old Carter Ruth. However, after prepping him to sing with me, he was more fascinated with the microphone than singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame, leaving me to sing it by myself (those poor judges).

The Cubs actually used the Corporate Suites as mini studios to record each audition. They asked you why you should be chosen, then you went straight into singing. It was well organized. Minutes later, when we were sitting in Harry Caray's talking about the day, we begin to hear this soft rendition of Take Me Out to the Ballgame coming from a smiling Carter Ruth.

Carter's best impression of a mean looking, hard throwing relief pitcher.

After hanging around Wrigleyville for a while, we headed back downtown. The dude above is Ronnie Woo Woo. If I would have thought about it, I would have gotten video of him. If you're unfamiliar with him, he's kind of a legend and celebrity around Chicago. He was great with Carter and a genuinely nice guy.

This pose, located outside Ghirardelli Chocolate, earned Carter lots of "awe look at how cute he is" stares. Actually, a young foreign couple asked to take his picture. I tried to sneak in the shot, but they said, "No, just of the cute little boy." After the shot, the dude showed the picture to his girl, to which she said, "That's the best picture of the day."

Our second-to-last stop - P.F. Changs. I always love the looks we get when we take our kids into joints like these - the, "are-you-really-serious-you're-taking-him-in-here-i-hope-he's-good" kind of looks. And he was. Chopsticks can keep a three year old busy for days. Plus, he loves Changs food too. That's his "Changs Wave".

And our last stop of the evening...

If you like caramel corn, this is THE best you'll ever have. I cannot ever leave without a jumbo bag. Plus, I scored some points with Jami.

Needless to say, the 2.5 hour train ride back home featured a sleeping Carter.

The Open Road Ahead

 In just a few short hours (about 9 p.m.), we'll be heading out for Myrtle Beach, SC for seven days... the Ruth's, McMullen's, Callender's and s.s.s.-seven kids. I can't wait. It's gonna be a blast... and I hear we've got CB radios too!

Held Hostage

This is a shot that I took driving down to the Blueberry Festival located in back woods Indiana. This dude's a volunteer fireman begging for money for his department. These guys set up orange cones at the major intersection in their town. When the cars are stopped for the red light, these guys come and hunt you down with a barrel. These types of things use to only happen in bigger cities. But now, I've noticed more and more of these... well... terrorists at our intersections. I'm sure these people were sitting around a table talking and thought, "Hey, I know how we can get money. Let's go stand in the street where people have no place to go to get away. They'll be sitting at a red light with no place to go and they'll feel like they have to give us money." Maybe these guys aren't terrorists. And maybe that's not what they thought. But there has got to be a better way to raise money. So seriously, stop stalking me at intersections. I'm not going to roll down my window, and I ain't gonna slow down to drop a few coins in your bucket.

Random in the Dells

As we were taking photos, waiting for Adam and Becky and the other kids to arrive back at the hotel, this random kid decides to meander in our shot. Carter literally doesn't know he's behind him. Tyler, well, Tyler knows who belongs and who doesn't belong. We later learn that his parents are in the middle of "checking" in – thus, not "checking" on their kid.

Just before this shot, we finished up eating at one of the great pizza shops in the WORLD, called Unos. Ok, that may be an over statement. Let's just say, the world – lowercase. In any case, the adults decide that everyone gets treats after dinner. And in deciding where to go, we literally have a full conversation between two vehicles in the parking lot on making the decision to have a treat and where to go to have the treat by spelling out every word. I think we created a new language called, splanguage, where you talk in s-p-e-l-l-i-n-g. I guess that's what happens when you have two car loads of kids who know what the word "treat" means but can't yet spell.

Weekend At the Dells

You. Me. Pool. Now.

 

This looks like fun!

 

Whoaaaaa!

 

I can't see. I can't see.

 

Look at me. I'm here!

 

Three Amigos.

 

Are my legs suppose to spread this far?

 

It's Oreo time!

 

Dude, you wanna take a drink?

 

What's up with the elephant behind me?

 

Typical photo. Tyler laughing and showing off. Carter sitting and staring.

 

Not sure where Adam and Jacob are. But they should be in this shot too.

 

And... out!