Family Vacation to Illinois

We took a family vacation this week to Bourbonnais, Illinois. All week Emerson was yelling "we are going to ILLINOIS!!!" We went to see my dad's side of the family and spend some time with my Grandma Marion. We got to Gram's on Thursday, met Mom and Dad, and spent some time with Grandma. Bruce and I then went into Chicago for a day to see the sites. It was COLD! We weren't anticipating the temp to be 54 degrees so we ended up doing some shopping on Michigan Ave for long sleeves! We went to one of Bruce's favorite restaurants - Gino's East for deep dish pizza. Having both been there before, we knew that the after meal walk would be slower and need to be longer because you are so full you don't want to move let alone walk! We did consider going to bed at 8:00pm for a full night of uninterrupted sleep with no child waking us up at 6:30am. BUT we decided to keep at it and froze some more by walking down to Navy Pier. Which had all of 7 people on it, but was only 2 blocks from our hotel. We walked and shopped a bit, which was fun. We had a beer a Harry Carey's and were still asleep by 10pm! (I know wild and crazy are we?!?) Friday we went to Shedd Aquarium before heading back to Gram's. I will say this. Omaha Zoo will give it a good (if not better) run for the $$ and I do remember Bruce saying at one point...."with all the kids here, I really hope that I like our own when I get home!"

Gram only lives about 1 hour from downtown Chicago so we were able to make it back and enjoy some time with Aunt Sandy and Uncle G at their place for dinner. Uncle Schnooks/G and Emerson got along REALLY well. I think we can mark off one more finger that she has a male family member wrapped around!!! We all had a great time playing with the kids and catching up. Its been a long time since I had been back there but it was fun so see the area and all that has and has not changed! Saturday, Bruce, Dad, and Uncle G golfed while Mom, the kids, and I went to the mall and restocked on University of Illinois, Chicago Bears , & Blackhawks gear. We did pretty good!! We let Gram rest for the morning and all got together that night at Anita & Tim's (my cousin) for Makenzie's high school graduation party. It was a really good time and I really enjoyed seeing a lot of people that I spent a lot time with as a child but haven't seen in so many years! Emerson found a friend in Autumn's daughter Lea and the two played and played. We do need to work on Em's hide and seek skills-- to say the least, she is a really good seeker....not a good hider! ;) We got to spend the evening catching up with Grandma Marion and family!

We had intentions of staying until Monday but decided to head all the way back to KC on Sunday. We stayed to see Grandma in the morning and then took off back to Kansas. It was a great time and I missed everyone so much. It was hard to leave but we won't wait so long to go back I promise!

Our Kehrt 4th Generation picture!!

Emerson & Gram smiling for Mommy (who can't put the camera down!)

Grandma Linda- your nose isn't as easy to grab as Papa Dick's is!!!

Dad & Uncle G (Uncle Schnooks)

Our little princess is ready to go to the Graduation party!

Claflin All-School Reunion

We headed back to Claflin over Memorial Day weekend to join the town in the All school class reunion. Claflin is consolidating with a couple other nearby towns to form a new district Called the Central Plans Oilers. They held a festival if you will over the holiday to celebrate school. It was a fun weekend full of fun, sun, and lot (and lots) of wind.

Most of Bruce's brothers and sister's were able to come back for the celebration. Scott and Arlene were late because Chelsea qualified for state in the triple jump and the 4x1 relay. CONGRATULATIONS Chelsea on your 3rd place finish in the triple jump!!!! The 4x1 placed 6th so they still scored points for the team!!!!

Sunday they held a parade which Bruce conveniently managed to "miss" because the golf tournement he was playing in "ran behind". Papa Leon led the parade in the military color guard.. Emerson like seeing him walk with the American flag! She thougth the parade was pretty cool EXCEPT for the big trucks and stock cars revving their engines. Isaac really didn't get into it either since it was 95 degrees we kept him in the stroller out of the sun. After the parade, we went swimming and walked around the games in the park. We ended the night with a street dance and beer garden. We were able to see a lot of our friends that we do and don't get to see a lot of. Isaac took a personal liking to Nicki Jeffrey! I think our little guy has a preference for brunettes!! He couldn't take his eyes off of her, he smiled, and flirted with her!!!

Sunday we attended a memorial in the cemetary for one of Bruce's relatives and a memorial day celebration. It was good that we went so we could see Grandma Ann at the memorial. On our way out of town we stopped in Lyons to see Grandma Florentine and have her meet Isaac. She had a fall a few weeks ago so she wasn't feeling herself that day but we hope her a speedy recovery and back to her usual self soon!!!

We don't have any pictures because I forgot the camera and haven't moved the pics from my phone yet. Hopefully next time!!!