Evan is 4!

Evan had quite a birthday this year. 
We decided that any money we would spend on a party for kids his age would be better allocated for a quick day trip to the city of Chicago on Thursday to see the Cubbies play at Historic Wrigley Field!

Sadly, we weren't able to hook up with any of our Chicago friends since we were there just long enough to see the game. We left Reid with very good friends of ours in Northwest Indiana. They were only a little over an hour away, which made Mike and me (and even Evan) feel better.

We rode the South Shore Train from Gary to Chicago. That was one of the best parts of the trip for Evan. It was a double-decker bus, so, of course, we rode on the 2nd level. Once downtown, we hopped the Red Line on the L up to Wrigley Field. We got there in the middle of the 1st inning (traffic in Indy put us behind by about 35-40 minutes that morning). The Cubbies beat the Brewers 12-7 that day. It was a good day to watch a dinger or two make it to the bleachers. Evan ate a hot dog and worked on a chocolate malt. Yum! We visited the restrooms 4 times in 6 innings, and then we left after the 7th inning stretch (much to Mike's sadness - but we were with a 4 year old - and he expected that). We headed out to the souvenir shops and bought some stuff. Reid made out - he got 3 things and he didn't even go. :)

(Watching the train come to the stop)

 (At our seats)

 (By the Billy Williams statue)

 (In front of the Chicago Theatre)

(Our navigator fell asleep on the 14 minute drive from the train station to our friends' house.)

On Saturday, we ran up to Fort Wayne to see Papa for Father's Day and our Uncle Dan & Aunt Kathy from California. Evan ended up seeing the following people (not including Mimi, Papa, & Ti): 1 great-grandma, 2 great uncles, & 3 great aunts. He also got his 1st cake (I always make him 2), which was Percy from Thomas the Tank Engine. He loves trains and green is his favorite color, so Percy it was!

 (He fell down when he saw the Cars 2 double decker bus.)

 (Aunt Kathy & Uncle Dan loved holding Reid - he was spoiled - held from 11-6 that day.)

 (Evan with his Percy cake)

(Evan and Ti)

 On Monday, we went to the dentist for a cleaning, and Evan did a great job. We have some cavities though. :( So that means the whole family is on milk and water now... Evan's Grandma Mary and Auntie Judy came over after nap and helped Evan eat the cake he decorated. Ti came over a little later after work and we ate Marco's Pizza (yum) and opened all of his presents from us and ate his Lightning McQueen (otherwise known as "ka-chow") cake.

Evan is such a sweet and thoughful little boy. He was a little nutty for a while (18-36 months) when it came to how fast he could dart to where he wanted to go. He loves cars, his dad, trucks, his Mimi, trains, his Ti, playing tackle, his Papa, running errands with me, his Grandma Mary, decorating cakes, his Auntie Judy, watching cartoons, his "Reidy" (that is his name for Reid - he's the only one that can call him that - We're not fans), playing computer games, running, playing with friends, and telling everyone what to do. ;)

He even knows how to tell a joke or drive people crazy on purpose. His new thing is this: "Mom, when you get another baby in your belly, you'll have to go to the doctor." He can't do it with a straight face though because he knows I do not want to have another baby. He does it to tease me. So, I tell him he's rotten and he laughs. Stinker.

He's a great big brother to Reid. Today Reid was crying a little in his sleep, and before I got to him to check on him, Evan was singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to him. It was adorable.

 (Evan and Grandma Mary)

 (Evan giving thank you kisses to Auntie Judy)

 (Decorating one of his cakes)

(Showing off his "Evan" mug)

 (Wearing his new Bears jersey - Brian Urlacher just so happens to wear Evan's favorite numbers: 4 and 5.)