Misc. Illinois

Throughout the rest of our time in Illinois, we did our best to just relax and enjoy catching up with family and friends. We took a trip down to Collinsville to see Tony (a.k.a The God of Hair). He gave both Rach and Suz new 'do's, but Jackson still didn't need a trim, so they just played together.

We are working on a Burris Family Cookbook, so we had both Grandma Linda and Grandma Rosie down to so we could get some recipes and video tape them cooking. Needless to say, between the fried chicken and halusky, we ate well for several nights.

Ashley and Carl stopped by for breakfast one morning. It was wonderful to see Ashley, and a little eerie to see her with Jackson, since Rach has such vivid memories of when Ashley was Jack's age. It was another vivid reminder of how fast they grow up.

Of course there was lots of family time. Jackson got to bond with Uncle Bubby over a bottle of Gatorade.

Then there was the Spangler family breakfast at Beaver Dam. We all met at the restaurant at the state park. It was a beautiful morning out by the lake.

It was great to see everyone, especially the kids. Tanner is getting so big. He was even cruising around the picnic tables.

After our breakfast we went to the playground where the kids (Gabe, Sydney, Tucker, and Finn) showed us that they are either part monkey or very promising gymnasts.

We also spent a lot of time with the Bloome family throughout the week. Jackie can't get enough of his Bella and Grandpa.

There was a lot of playing and a lot of cuddling.

We also had a funny happening while at the Bloome's house. Well, it wasn't very funny for the turtle, because he was dead. Grandpa had shot him earlier in the week, and we had to get him out of the yard.

And he was stinky.

We all thought the trip to dump him was pretty funny (and stinky).

Things like that only happen to us in Illinois. Perhaps that is why we miss it so much. We can't wait to see everyone again when we are home at Thanksgiving.