Chi –Town: a few days in the life of the Calisoffs)

One thing about all the stops on this trip has been the same – it’s hard to say goodbye to the friends we have been visiting yet we are excited to see the friends/family we are off to see next.  This continued to a pinnacle when we finally returned home to see Chris. 

Our next stop in US tour 2014 brought us to see one of my longest standing friends from high school, Nikki (formerly Devensky) and the rest of the Calisoff family.  And when I say the rest of the Calisoff’s, I mean her mom (for a quick minute) her husband and her FOUR boys!!! Nikki’s entire brood is under the age of 7 including the 2 year old twins.  Before the trip, Helaina was lovingly referring to this stop as the house with the crazy/silly boys and as promised by Nikki, they delivered.  They are the lively bunch that you would expect from this make up. 

If you have kids (or even/especially if you don’t), you are probably saying, “I could not have that many children.”  But as a wise person once quoted to me, necessity is the motherhood of invention.  I would be failing miserably under this set up (and I say that out of honestly, not self pity).    Nikki has figured out a way to make it work for them and does things like blog everyday, exercises, cooks healthy fresh things and spends quality time with her awesome hubby.   One thing I love best about Nikki is her straight- forward honest approach.  If you have read her blog   (www.calisoff.com) she shares the fun as well as not so fun things of the days of her life in her intelligent and comical humor.  I can’t wait for her book!

If you remember we just left a house with 2 girls similar in ages and “we” sang the Frozen soundtrack ad nausea all week long, and played with all things girly, pink & frilly. It took the girls a couple days or so to adapt to the cars, trucks, ninja, and poopy talk– however, they quickly followed suit.  We had a couple stolen moments of playing girly things with mommy but mostly they were happy to ‘crash’ things up with the boys too.

Nikki, as always, was very thoughtful and decided to give us more of the city experience to contrast our trip so far.  They live in a wonderful area of Chicago that has a ton of great houses, parks, retail, amazing FOOD (of course) and is VERY walk-able!  Each time I have visited her I have serious Post Vacation Relocation Consideration (as borrowed from a friend).  However, that could change quickly if I ever decided to visit during the ‘chiller’ months.   The weather during this visit was unseasonably cool which I think was disappointing to those who had just undergone a seriously long and torturous winter.  However, it was perfect for us.   We hit the beach and many of the wonderful parks that give Burbank, CA a serious run for its money.  Nikki and I fit in a couple longer (for me), runs which felt amazing in the non-humid clean air with beautiful scenery and a great friend to talk to.  

I love the equal parts fear and thrill on Helaina's face
at one of the many awesome parks with water features

Why yes Jack is suspending Ben upside down

We were quite the production when we walked places.  I
can only imagine the looks we would have gotten in China.  

Indigo devoured a small crop of watermelon

Ben's huge grin

Jack and Indigo.  Indigo kept following Jack around the
house saying "Jaaaaayyyyyykkkkkkkk".  Apparently all the ladies love him

Bean dancing

Did I mention how awesome the public spaces are? This park
has a giant video screen of faces that shoot water out every few minutes.
Loved by kids and adults too!

Just look at that clean air I was breathing.  No wonder
I was able to run long stretches.  ;o)

Nikki's oldest son Jack reading to H, I, Aaron & Sam (her 2 year old twins)
Could that be any sweeter?

With 6 kids and 3 adults, we took up the entire Fro-yo place that we were in.  

 As always, the Calisoff’s went out of their way to make us feel special, loved and we will miss them tremendously.   We have no plans for a next trip but with our long standing history of friendship, I know we shall meet again! 

Bye Calisoffs.  (sniff sniff)

While in Chicago we also got to quickly visit Jodi bird, Erin’s sister.  It was nice of her to carve out time to come visit us and she even revealed to the girls that she is expecting her own little one this winter.  How exciting!  I did notice that she didn’t drink the water at Nikki’s house – she may not yet be ready for 4 of her own ;o)