Our trip to Illinois!!

Our summer began before school was even out.  We took the kids from school an hour early to make it to the airport to catch our plane to Illinois.  I was a little nervous for the kids since they hadn't been on a plane since they were 3 and 7 months.  But they were so excited!

We were prepared and each kid had earphones and devices, games, gum, whatever I could think of that might be needed.  And it was a successful trip!  Tatum had issues with her sinuses on the way there and back so next time we fly, we might give her some medicine.

After getting there and settled, the next day we had a photo shoot at Target with all the family and then headed to this big store with hunting and fishing gear, as well as this huge ferris wheel!  In the store!!

They also had a bunch of stuffed hunted animals on display!

And places for funny photo opportunities!!

Nothing like good ol' Abe!

They also had a huge fish tank with a scuba diver!

After some dessert, we all took more funny photos outside.  Clearly this place was a hit!

Then we went to the cemetery where Garrett's dad is buried.  We brought crayons and big paper so we could rub his tombstone. 

We also went to check out Abe Lincoln's tomb

The next day we headed to Uncle Joe's house for fun with family.

The kids enjoyed visiting with all the family, especially Aunt Diane.

While Garrett and I went out with a few of his friends...

Nadine and Carlie took the kids to a carnival in town.

One of the best things about the trip was the pond out back behind Grandma Dini and Papa Jerry's house!  The kids were out here almost every day fishing, they loved it!  Great catch Ty!

And I even caught some!

Way to go Peyton!

Garrett caught this one by catching a little fish, leaving it on the hook, throwing it back in and snagging this sucker!!

Nadine threw a backyard bbq for Garrett and his friends so the kids loved meeting some new kids! 

Always time for ladder golf!

Garrett and some of his high school buds

After the party was over, we were going to drive over to the park down the street to watch a fireworks show but realized we had a perfect view from the driveway!!

More fishing!

Grandma Dini and Ty caught that one together!!

Garrett took us around town to show us his old house and some places her use to hang out.  Here's a deer!

We found this park that still had all the old playground equipment that parks use to have in our day!  The kids thought this metal slide was hilarious!

And these silly swings!

At least you sometimes still see teetertotters but not with this chipping lead paint!

And the throw up inducing ride! :)

After a stop to see the TRN, Grandma Dini and Papa Jerry's club, we headed to a restaurant to meet up with all the Silveri family again.  Here's Garrett with his cousins Ray and Nick.

The day before we flew out, we drove down to St. Louis to catch a Cardinals game.  So cool!!!

This trip was awesome, even down to the hotel we stayed in the night before we left. The Drury Inn.  It had an indoor pool which the kids were in love with, happy hour with free drinks and a spread of food you wouldn't believe.  So great, we didn't need dinner!  Free breakfast and a free shuttle to the airport the next morning!  We'll miss everyone but had a wonderful trip!