It's a Beautiful Life!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Corn in Indiana

There is a lot of it. I know this because I spent hours driving past it, through it, around it, in it. It's only creepy if you think about that movie....you know the one.

Kentucky is full of horses. White horses, black horses, brown horses....and hows. Hows are, according to my niece, horses that look like cows. You know because of the spots. Goofy, I know. But, when I saw one, I couldn't help thinking, "Oooo, a how".

Then we finally made it to Tennessee. The clouds were low and down in the valleys of the little mountains around the state line. Isabel was in awe of it. I forget that she hasn't seen scenery like that much before. It was almost dark though so she didn't see much of it.

We are on our way home. Our vacation, is over. Sadly. It was fun. So much fun! And, I have more pictures to share once I get back to my house.

We ate too much, played too long, spent more than we should have and loved every minute of it. Chicago was a blast! Visiting with the Caudills and the Gulkes was so yummy!

Karla and I are making plans already! Plans for our next gathering! Plans for more families to join us, hopefully! Wouldn't it be great if our whole travel group got together again!!!!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Isabel's Dream Day!

The day started with a her first train ride....which I didn't get a picture of seeing as how we were running for the train before it could leave us! Whew! Made it. When we got into Chicago she got to take her first water taxi ride. How cool is that! The Gulkes have a dear friend that knows the city very well. He decided to take the day and accompany us into Chicago and be our guide for the day....so, it was kinda like being in China all over again! Craig was so helpful and made the day a success!

Of course, everyone else was there too...and it was a first for Claire and the boys as well.

Beautiful girls, Mia and Becca.

Lovin' this!

Then we ate lunch at Gino's East, which is apparently famous Chicago style, deep dish pizza. Mmmmm! It was delish!

The crew at Gino's

Of course, it takes 45 minutes to get your pizza....but, it was worth it!

After a wonderful lunch, the little girls decided to take a nap! Together. In their strollers. In the middle of Chicago.

That is when the real fun began.

We hit the American Girls Store.

Isabel was so excited she couldn't stand it!

She got a new doll for her birthday. Meet Julie!
And spent another $100 bucks on clothes for her Elizabeth doll, that is waiting for us to come home.

What a big girl, carrying her bags in the big city!

Then it was on to Navy Pier.....

where fun was had by all!

The girls had a quite moment looking at Lake Michigan.

Awwww!

Then I lost my mind. Apparently. Because I agreed to ride this!

Ummmm......Do you see how tall this thing is?????

The Gulkes in one car- Becca, Scott, Mia, Mr. Craig and Josh.

Me and the girls on one side. I'm hiding my look of terror very well.

Paul and the boys on the other.

The little girls and the Daddies on the carousel

It was a wonderful day!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Dinner in Chicago

After our day at the Museum we had a dinner adventure! In an attempt to escape having to drive through the rush hour traffic when we left the museum, we drove through town to find a restaurant. Our family was in our car and the Gulkes in another, so we played follow the leader! That was exciting! Eventually, we made it to an area where Scott knew of some restaurants and we ended up at Ed Debevic's Diner. Half-way through our dinner, the servers got up on tables and danced! The literally threw our menus at us and our waiter sassed us regularly. We loved it! It is an old fashioned diner with rude servers and good burgers. It was a great day!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Chicago

We spent the day in Chicago with our good friends the Gulkes. We opted for a day at the Museum of Science and Industry, complete with passes to the Harry Potter exhibit. It was a big hit!