Vacation! We have just returned from a week with our three oldest grandsons- 3rd, 5th and 7th graders to be. Because of their schedule, we knew we could have this one week- so we planned to be gone, but we couldn't quite figure out where to go or what to do! We finally decided to go to Chicago for one day, then on to the Wisconsin Dells, Minneapolis, and Des Moines for the Living History museum.... and then gas went up and the river went out! We decided to go to Chicago and stay for the week. We bought the goChicago cards and made a motel reservation for Willowbrook. We picked them up in Cameron after the Vandalia meeting and brought them home with us - on the way to Chicago.... Monday, we drove all day to get there - they have Ps's and Ps3's and pPss's and nintendos or who know what they are - but they play games while we travel. For a while then the batteries wear out and the adapter / rechargers don't work - or didn't get packed or something. (We only allow electronics on Freeways!) I had brought 6 sets of Hank the Cowdog - which they love to listen to! Also I converted them to Praise and Harmony - 2 - (great acapella cd's ($11- we can get them for you!) The motel had the required pool - so they swam Monday night. Tuesday morning- found the train station- $22 for us to ride into town to get goChicago cards! Had to pay for bus, too. ($6) Finally got the cards- no bus or train included! First disappointment! There are free trolleys, though and we got on one to go to Aquarium and Field museum - however there was a rally and it only got us so far and then we had to walk in.... stopped and got a $3 hotdog and viewed the lake - went to the aquarium- saw lots of fish and a dolphin show..... and walked to Field Museum..saw Sue the dino. and an excellent Egyptian exhibit.....and museum closed at 5. Wednesday we discovered the CTA - passes to ride the light rail, subway, ele, and busses all day for two days for $9. So we drove and parked where we could pick up and make it to Itasca for church on Weds. Rode to Navy Pier. We had a boat ride on Lake Michigan, and each of us had 5 rides. We all rode the ferris wheel - huge. Then we did mini golf- then the boys used up the tickets riding a "wave swing" or something like that. They rode all they wanted to We would not have spent much of that money (rides were $5 apiece) - but they were included in that Chicago card. We headed out for Itasca at about 4 and ate at IHOP when we discovered we had lost track of time- and it was 5 till 7 - good thing we were right around the corner from church. I had the priviledge of teaching my three grandchildren in class - hasn't happened much since we moved (They do come to KV for VBS) That was delightful. Thursday we went to the Sears tower and the Museum of Science and Industry. Both were fabulous. We spent 5 hours at the Museum and literally closed it down. Friday we did Grandma and Grandpa's kind of trip - Trader Joe's for free samples and Triple ginger cookies and gluten free treats for Andrew! And Ikea for lunch and looking! Two of our favorite stores! Ended up close to O'Fallon where we could stop and see our new cousin (see cottageover) and home to Columbia where dropped off the kiddos. Back to KV for a surprise b-day party and Sunday's usual hectic day! 10 - church 12- sunday dinner for guests 2- singing at nursing home 4- radio program 6- church 7:30 - Dan's dogs - Three of our couples are momentarily doing a Bible study at home on Sunday nights - we missed them and their 10 children! But we know they are doing a valuable work. Monday - off to KC to deliver one of our girls to the airport - I think we're home and busy.................................................... | 
