the adventures of noah & caleb: the first out-of-state family trip...

We took a very special trip in January. It wasn't just special because it was the first big family trip we've taken as a family of four, or because it was the first time that Noah and Caleb were on a plane, it was special because of WHY we went... to celebrate my grandpa's 90th birthday. I was so lucky to get to know all four of my grandparents, but my grandpa and I have always had a really special relationship. Growing up, we were best buds, which made celebrating this milestone with my grandparents even that much sweeter! We all had an amazing time on the trip... a huge success!

Here is my nimble grandfather getting on the floor with his great-grandson to play cars!

Caleb doesn't want to be left out!

The boys LOVED playing with Grandma's organ!

I helped design this cake with an old high-school class-mate who now makes specialty cakes in Chicago. It turned out beautifully, exactly what I had envisioned!

Here is a detail photo of one of the vintage planes that was hand-painted on the cake! Amazing! Grandpa seemed to be thrilled with it as well, and it tasted delicious!

Here's the handsome guy walking into his party at Home Run Inn. The pizza is the best!

No Prucha Party is complete without balloons (at least not if Karen and I are involved). We tried really hard to make the room special by decorating in all shades of blue and displaying about 32 old photos of Grandpa throughout his life so far.

Mike+Grandpa=Twins!

At 90, he's still the life of the party!

Noah was on his best behavior, and ate lots of pizza!

This is Grandpa's oldest friend, Bob, and his wife. They have known each other since they were in school together. He turned 90 a few months after Grandpa. Amazing!

Uncle Bob helping his grand-nephew with the organ!

Football... man-bonding time for 4 generations of Pruchas (and a handsome Davis), Uncle Bob is just to the right of the frame.

Noah and Caleb LOVE cousin Karen!

It was so amazing to have all the family together for this big celebration! We need to do it more often! He I am with Karen, Julie, Mike, and Kimby... my amazing cousins!

It was so much fun to take Noah to one of my favorite childhood spots, the Museum of Science and Industry. This was my favorite exhibit when I was a kid, watching the chicks hatch. Noah was equally enthralled. He really enjoyed the museum!

It was really quiet at the museum this morning, so he got some special treatment. He got to listen to the little chick trying to peck it's way out of the shell. He may never eat eggs again!