We spent a wonderful week with my family in mid-July! It unfortunately fell just a week after Adam started his new job at the Pizza Ranch, so he was only able to join us for a day and a half of it, but I guess that's our life right now. Abby and Neil have friends who have graciously let us use their lake house on Pistakee Lake in McHenry, IL. It's a wonderful house, and fits our family well. The week we were there it was SO HOT and HUMID!!! Perfect for hanging by the lake! Not perfect for lounging in the un-air conditioned living area of the house! Thankfully the bedrooms had AC so we did sleep comfortably.
On Sunday the 17th the kids and I set off- just about a 2.5 hour drive so pretty easy! Especially when Hope sleeps for part of it. :) We got settled into the house, and as soon as Josie and Evan (and Matt and Cheryl) arrived, the kids were ready to jump in the lake!
And there was even story time with Auntie Abby!
J read an Elephant and Piggie book to everyone! :)
On Monday, we basically spent the whole day outside, with short breaks to go inside for meals or naps (for Hope, and a few others). There was plenty of sand and water play, bubbles, and jet ski rides!!
Tuesday was more of the same! It was HOT!!
I love this place!!
Wednesday was a day trip to Chicago! We parked our cars in Logan Square at Abby and Neil's place, and then took the Blue Line to downtown. The kids lived the train ride!
Our first stop was lunch at the Shake Shack!
And one of Matt and Cheryl cause they felt left out. :)
Next we stopped by The Bean for a quick look and picture.
And then we moved on to Maggie Daley Park- such fun! And it's a miracle we left with all 4 children.
Not many pics of the big kids- they were too hard to catch!
Next we walked over to Grant Park to see Buckingham Fountain. We had hoped to time it right to see it spray up, but alas no such luck. They were busy setting up for Lollapalooza, so they weren't letting the fountain spray up like normal every hour.
But we still got a pick of grandma and grandpa with the grandkids!
By that time, we were all tired! We headed back to the train. Poor Hope couldn't even stay awake till we got to the train, she zonked in the stroller!
When we got back, we ordered pizza for dinner and Adam had arrived while we were gone!
Thursday was boat day! Our captain, Neil, took us out for a bit on the pontoon boat. The weather was a bit iffy, but we were able to go for a ride without getting rained on, and we stopped to eat lunch on the boat.
That night we had sweet corn for dinner! There was other stuff, too, but I don't remember what.
We watched a cool storm roll in, too!
Friday was our last day at the lake house. :( :(
We still got some good lake time in in the morning.
Then we packed and cleaned up and headed out. But the fun was not over! Grandma and grandpa, Matt, Cheryl, Josie, and Evan came along with us to Clinton!
On Saturday we took them to check out Eagle Point Park- it was a big hit, especially the castle!
We also went over to check out Lock & Dam 13 in Fulton- pretty cool! We even saw a barge go through.
Then we went over to check out Fulton's windmill- that was very interesting, too!
Dinner that night was..... Pizza Ranch, of course! And of course it got rave reviews from everyone. :)
We got to watch a storm roll through that night, too!
Sunday everyone had to head out. :( So sad!!! We did get a chance to swim in the pool at grandma and grandpa's hotel, so that was fun! Then after everyone packed up, we grabbed lunch with them before they set off. We drove to Morrison, IL where we found a place to accommodate us.
They have big sandwiches.
Then it was time to say good-bye- so sad!!! J had such fun with his cousins! And Hope did, too! :) As we drove away, J said, "I just wish they could stay a little longer!" Me, too, buddy!!
So this past week we've been getting more acquainted with Clinton. Adam is working a ton, so the kids and I find stuff to do!
Hy-vee of course!
The Sawmill Museum!
Playing outside!
Children's Discovery Center!
Oh, and I've been busy taking an online class through the Heartland AEA. I needed just 1 more credit in order to renew my Iowa Teaching License in August, so I took a class about Donalyn Miller's book, The Book Whisperer. Highly recommend! Just submitted my final project yesterday, so that's all done now. Phew!
And Sunday we are off to NW Iowa. Adam has 2 weeks of Pizza Ranch training, and the kids and I are tagging along. We'll stay till the 16th, and then the kids and I will have to head home because J's first day of school is Aug 17!!!!! Yes, he just got done with school in MI on June 10- I feel bad his summer was so short. :( And I can't believe we'll have a 1st grader- yikes!
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