These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things.....

...to do in Wheaton.

Triangle Park

This park is just three houses down the street. Cal rides his bike there almost every morning. It is a great park for both kids and so close!

Cosely Zoo

 Cosely Zoo is the local "zoo" free for Wheaton residents. I would call it more of a farm than a zoo. It has ducks, goats, pigs, turtles, birds, sheep, cows, goats, owls, raccoon, a bobcat, a peacock, deer, etc.  The first time we went there Cal wanted to see the Zebra... no luck! 

Feeding the ducks with a new friend. 

Adeline checking out the ducks, but ready to get out of the heat!

Wheaton Public Library

Our library is a great place for the kids to play and read books. They have lots of tables, chairs, puzzles, educational computer games, and activity tables for the kids to enjoy. We have been going to story time every Friday morning and Cal loves it.  We recently visited another local library in Glen Ellyn. It has a train table, lego table, and a big doll house. That may be our new place to play and read! I am guessing the libraries have a lot of indoor activities due to the length of winter here.  Just a thought.

Downtown Wheaton

We have been making a habit of walking to downtown Wheaton as a family almost every Friday evening. This summer they have car shows and music every Friday night. And of course there are several ice cream shops to try out.  :) They also have a fountain area the kids love to splash in. 

Northside Park

This is by far our favorite park in Wheaton!! It has a great toddler and older-kid play ground areas. It also has a small zip line, which Cal loves. I'll try to get some better pictures next time we go.

Wheaton College

The college grounds have become another "playgound" for our family. We like to run around the football field, walk/ride to the library, and explore the campus.  God has blessed us with a very family friendly city/college. 

Lowell Elementary

Calvin's school library is open every Tuesday morning from 9 to 11 am the next 5 weeks or so. It is a great opportunity for Cal to become familiar with the school and meet some Kindergarten friends! 

All in all, we have been busy!! I will start working full-time in the next month, so that will slow things down a bit

10 Year Anniversary..... what!?

Jared and I were married on July 12, 2003, at Christ Presbyterian Church in Flowermound, Texas. Our wedding was officiated by Dave Sherwood, one of the best preachers we know! 

Wow, has it been that long!?!? I feel like we are too young to be married for so long, but we married young I guess (Jared was 23 and I was almost 22). 

Jared and I went to Denton a few months ago for a date night. Here is me in front of our first apartment in Denton, Texas. There is a picture of me in this exact pose from 10 years ago, but of course I can't find it :)

We celebrated our 10 year anniversary at Gibson's Steakhouse in downtown Chicago. Their signature grilling style is charring the steaks, which gave them great flavor.  

 

Dancing Girl!

Family Pictures

A big THANK YOU to Renee Seiver! She took amazing picture of our families before we left Texas. Thank you!  If you need a photographer in the DFW area, check out her website: http://www.sunlitsmilesphotography.com/ 

4th of July

 We had fun at the city of Wheaton festival on Wednesday the 3rd. The kids made it to 9:15 pm for the fireworks. We watched the parade downtown on the 4th with some new friends. 

What's Going on?

What in the world have we been up to!? I know, I have been so bad about blogging!

We have been so busy getting settled and playing that I haven't been taking many pictures with our camera. Most pictures end up on our phones and then on Facebook. (Mom- you need to get an account so you can see more pictures) 

God has been so good to us! We have been having fun playing, making friends with other PhD families, enjoying the "cool summer," and of course missing our Texas friends and family.  Right now I feel like we are in a "honeymoon" period.  I am only working an hour or two a day (3 or 4 days a week), and Jared is studying 6 to 8 hours a day (but no classes yet). Jared starts a German translation class tomorrow and I will start picking up more clients next week. I love working at Communication Clubhouse so far. I have been seeing some "private clients" the past week. "Private clients" means ages 3 and up; "Early Intervention clients" is birth to 3 years old. Once I obtain my EI credential I will be full-time.  Everyone is very nice and helpful at the clinic. 

Adeline and Calvin have adjusted well. Adeline has already switched to one nap a day (crazy girl!) and Cal is having fun exploring the parks and meeting new friends. We have been playing in our big back yard or walking the park almost everyday.  Feel free to see more pictures on facebook :) 

We have had a "camping" theme the past week. Here is our camp fire :)