Barbag and Beyond: Chicag-OH!

That's right! Mommy and her boys took a week-long trip to visit family and friends in Chicago! Of course, she was lucky enough to have Bubby Linda join along (so as not to be outnumbered by her boys during travel)!

At the airport, Mommy had to have "extra security" as she entered through the gates. Good thing, Bubby was there to watch the two kids. Eventually, we made it onto the plane. Both boys napped for a bit at the beginning of the flight, and then had fun and were generally well-behaved for the 3-hour flight.

We had an adventurous week filled with trips to the Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Kohl Children's Museum! Along with a great pizza party and visits with many family and friends, the week was busy and went by way too quickly!

Josh takes a snooze.

Derek relaxes and enjoys the view.

On our way to B & Z...NOT happy about being tired/hungry.

Josh cried himself to sleep.

Once at Bauby M and Zaidy Shelly's house, the boys got acquainted with their new surroundings:

Meeting the dog and playing with new toys.

Josh loved this ball and mini tambourine toy.

Crawling race! Ready, set, go!

Uh oh, another Barbag obsessed with phones!

Auntie Janet and Bauby M play hide-and-seek (can you find Derek?)

The first full day of our trip, we (Derek, Joshua, Mommy, Auntie Janet, Bauby M, and Zaide Shelly) went to the Shedd Aquarium!

Waiting for the show to begin.

Touch tank!

Sea dragons!

Zaidy helps Derek see the sea-life.

Derek points out his favorite fish.

Josh was obsessed with this fish.

Bubby helps Derek find the Sea-Lion camouflaged in this tank.

Derek and Mommy got to touch stingrays! (The tank was a bit too hard for Derek to reach, but Mommy held him as close as possible -- without feeding him to the fish, anyway)!

Derek points out the whale during the whale/dolphin/penguin show.

We had a nice lunch on the deck with a beautiful view of the Chicago Skyline.

Panorama of our lunch spot (if you look closely, that's Auntie Janet and Derek coming up the stairs on the far right)!

After lunch we checked out the "Jellies!"

Derek really liked this jelly fish.

These were very unique kinds of jellies.

Derek was able to steer his own submarine.

We came across some very unique sea life!

Some more crazy creatures!

Derek and his new penguin pal.

Our little man, sure is getting big!

The penguins were entertaining!

Even Josh loved watching them swim and play!

There 3 kept swimming back and forth in front of Derek.

Josh is checking out their swim technique.

It was SO much fun!

Josh wants to pose with the penguins, too.

One last glance at the whale on the way out!

We even got to see the Mama Dolphin swimming with her new baby!

We also saw this neat flower on the way out!

Once back at B & Z's we played a little...

Snacked a little....


And slept A LOT!

The next morning we had a little breakfast and then it was off to the zoo!

Josh gnaws on his first bagel.

Derek works on a fun activity card.

Bauby M shares her special breakfast with Derek.

Josh still enjoys his oatmeal and blueberries.

You know Bauby M loves her great grandkids, when she's willing to entire the reptile house!!!

She even put on a smile for the shot!

Go gators!

Two cute cuddly friends.

Mama and her chick!

Derek gets to feed a cow!

Getting ready to feed these mama cows!

Derek's a cub.

Baub and Josh walking the zoo.

Carousel Time!

Hold on tight!

Hanging like air Jordan!

Someone enjoyed his time on the ride!

Lunch time!

No, Josh, that's Bubby's lunch!

Derek's first Chicago Hot Dog!

Lunchtime entertainment.

It was a beautiful day at the zoo!

Derek got to ride on a John Deer Tractor!

The tires were bigger than him!

We found a rabbit as big as Derek!

We had a lot of fun!

Zaidy Shelly and Bauby M were great sports!

Derek with "the lion."

Group shot!

A little ice cream before we go!

Say, "bye bye" to the zoo!

The ride home, Josh was entertained by Bubby singing, "If you're happy and you know it!"

He REALLY like it!

We were happy when Josh finally fell asleep and stopped crying.

Then, we had a lovely dinner at the Schatz's home!

Josh and Barry share a moment.

Bryan and Josh.

This was basically the night -- all of the boys giggling and smiling.

One of the best parts about the evening was Derek playing Hide-and-Seek with Marty. Boy was it entertaining. We missed videoing the part when Derek runs into the room (seeing Marty), and acting as if he had not, "Where's Marty? Marty are you here? Am I getting warmer?" and then running over to surprise him. It was great! But, we did get some "seeking" on tape:

Derek and Marty - reunited and it feels so good!

SO tired from the day's activities!

The next day we went to the Kohl Children's Museum! It was a place to learn and discovery through play!

Illuminating ideas began from the start!

Derek takes a good look at things!

Decorating and doing an art project with Bubby.

Derek enjoys all of the cars in the auto room.

There were even stations set up for infants!

Derek loved the water room!

And had fun playing music, too.

Josh wasn't bad himself!

A future Dr. on our hands?

He checked everyone out!

Then we met up with Bauby and Zaidy for lunch:

Josh is ready to order!

Derek and his Mickey Mouse pancakes!

Then we went back for a little rest and play:

Kisses for Bubby!

Smiles all around!

That night we went to Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Steve's house! We got to spend time with Sammy and Sara, Jody, Aunt Edith, Robert, and even some of the Jessops were in town! Of course, we cannot forget our furry friends, Diesel and the newest edition - Mushy!

Tired? How about a rest in the doggie bed?

Yummy - pretending with fake food

Josh enjoys his new book from Aunt Edie and Robert!

Derek enjoys playing with (Seth's) cars!!

Josh and Mushy duke it out over the bone!

Cuddles with new Mushy!

Josh meets Diesel.

Derek gets some kisses of his own.

Fun with cousins!

Sara and her newest edition!

Auntie Edie and Josh meet for the first time!

Fun with Zaidy

Aunt Cheryl really put on a great celebration for Uncle Steve's Birthday! Derek loved everything from the Mac & Cheese to the Watermelon Sorbet!

Aunt Cheryl takes a "slice" of her watermelon sorbet!

It really looked like a watermelon!

Derek loved every bite!

We're so full we could burst!

Cousins with their "pups."

Sammy helps Derek out with the cars!

On Saturday we had a wonderful shabbat lunch with Aunt Elaine, Uncle Barry, and Cousin Naomi. It was fun filled with delicious food (including popcorn and slushies), and LOTS of fun toys to play!

Then we headed home to relax!