Wednesday, June 3, 2009

The Last But the First

Ok this is what happens when you have two people working on the same blog, things get published twice. You may see some repeats of events, but the pictures will be new!

Many things have changed since the last time this was updated. Yes I know the last post was on Sunday, but changes happen rapidly. The first, and the biggest, is that Ben had to fly back to California early for work. Responsibility before fun, but we will miss you Ben. This means that I will have to take over Ben’s two primary vacation jobs which just happen to be blogging and navigating. I have succeeded in the latter seeing as I have already gotten the family lost in a rural residential district looking for a cheese store. Are you proud of me Ben? The former I am working on now.

Our stay in Illinois has sadly drawn to a close, and we are currently sitting in a campground in Minnesota, so I am going to do a 25 picture whirlwind of the last week so as to catch up with the present.

Last Monday, most of the family loaded up in the RV and took a drive to the nearby John Deere Museum to crawl over some tractors. Nic has that classic “Deere” in the headlight look.



On our walk from the parking lot to the pavilion where the machinery was kept, we came across a sign. Mother always told us to follow street signs.



Random picture of Anthony, looking like he ate too much for lunch.


As well as tractors, they had an actual cow that could be milked. Sara gladly volunteered not knowing that she now has to be back every morning at 5am to milk it again and again and again.



Dad used to drive tractor for a living, so he was ready to take this baby out for a spin.



Anthony was content just blending into the scenery.



He’s a natural, don’t you think?



On the way home dad found his comfy spot. I think we wore him out because he didn’t move for most of the ride.



The color was bad on this picture, but I liked it very much, which means it got the black and white treatment. Most of the kidlets eating on the back porch.



Ben had a birthday this past week which means a special dessert: Banana Flambé (or whatever its called)!! Tiffany did a fantabulous job with this delicacy.



Ben gets so engrossed with work, he rarely realizes his surroundings. Even if its THAT!!



Another one of our outings was a trip to the state capitol building located in Springfield. The construction was 100 times more decorative than our “white” capitol in California. So much easier to get to as well.


Of course there was a statue of Lincoln in the front so we had to get a picture. No we did not “get to”, we “had to”.



Everybody enjoyed getting a picture in front of Stephen Douglas much more.



We went in to the House and watched a session. EVERYBODY was talking at once and NO ONE would be quiet. The Speaker had to, several times, bang his gavel and settle the room, but usually to no avail.



The dome from the inside. SO BEAUTIFUL!



Long hallways. Matthew took this shot.



On the grounds, there was a statue paying tribute to the fallen firefighters of Illinois. Dad and I had to get a picture, even though we’re not actually from Illinois.



After the capitol, we went to the Illinois Military Museum where the kids got to dress up in BDUs. I wouldn’t want to mess with them, they look fierce!!



On Sunday after church, we went to a nearby park near the river to have a picnic lunch. We all look like we’re having a grand time.



Anthony was sent in for more cookies. Do you really think he needs them?


The kids found some baby turtles! Ben decided to get in on the action and hold one.



Nic was more interested in his newly acquired toy. I think they would make some nifty sunglasses.



There was a trail through the woods, so some of us decided to take a stroll. The hikers (strollers).



Ben and William were bringing up the rear.



After the walk we loaded up in the RV and headed back for our final night in Illinois. The guys being guys.



And the rest of us being the rest of us.



In closing I just want to say we had an AWESOME time with our friends in Illinois, and we can’t wait to come back! This should just about catch us up with where we are now, so look for some more current posts to follow.



2 comments:

Simply Tiffany said...

*bawls* These pictures bring back waaaaaay too many memories!!! (Sounds like somebody died, or somethin') We had such a grand time with y'all and are still talking about the entire trip.

Since I stayed home from the John Deere place, I'm thrilled you posted pictures from it. The one of y'all falling on the ground is too funny!

Banana Flambé sounds much cooler than Bananas Foster, so maybe I'll change the name...boy, Ben does look rather distracted doesn't he? How could he have missed that candle right in front of him?! At least he saw the big flames...

I am going to agree with you when you said "we had to". Notice, though...some of us managed to escape the shame of being in that photo. :D

*sigh* Thanks for posting these! I still can't believe the trip is over, but things must come to an end if there is going to be another, right?

Enjoy the rest of y'alls trip!

*Hugs to all y'all*

Jessica McDonald said...

YAY! I loved loved loved looking at the pictures!! Thank you for posting them!! Tiff's right, they brought back wayyy too many memories. :( But good memories, so that's alright. :)

When I looked through the pictures I thought that you were saying the mini turtles would make good sunglasses. lol. I keep forgetting that you put captions above the pictures and your Dad does them below. :) So Nic's stars were actually the good sunglasses. lol!

We miss y'all so much!! Have fun on the rest of your trip! We look forward to seeing y'all soon!

~Jess