Trip to Chicago 5: Eli is 2!

And of course we were part of the celebration as Eli turned two. What an adorable little boy!Even more fun than watching Eli with his presents and birthday paraphenalia was watching him with his suddenly-very-grown-up-seeming cousin Samantha! She took good care of Eli and any other little ones in the area. Good work Scout!

Trip to Chicago 4: Urban wildlife

Trip to Chicago 3: Visiting Minnette

We visited Grandma Minnette at the Friend Center.The kids hadn't seen Grandma's new place before and everyone liked it. It really is a very nice place.

Trip to Chicago 2: Hotel Togetherness

We stayed at a Residence Inn. Each subfamily had their own suite. Very nice.

We wisely decided not to do any sightseeing but stayed at the hotel. We ate, enjoyed the pool, messed around, and read books until we zonked.

Trip to Chicago 1: Traffic!

This is the first of several postings about our recent family trip to Chicago.This trip reminded me why I am glad that I no longer live in a large metropolitan area. Traffic was a nightmare! Going the smallest distance was the biggest deal.

This trip also taught me that if we are going to be stuck in traffic, it will be more fun if we have Ian with us!

While I lie sick, the garden grows...

That sounds as if I am feeling poetic. Not so. Just impatient with bronchitis and ready to be up and moving again!

What I missed

I loved time in Saugutuck but look what I missed!

Lake Michigan

Even though the lake water temp never topped 50 degrees, the air temp got up to 70 degrees only a couple of times, even though it was drizzly and gray most of the time, I still love spending time at the Lake Michigan shoreline in the Douglas/Saugutuck area. The weather just made for a different kind of vacation with more sightseeing and shopping, less sitting outside and no time in the water...but still plenty of reading, knitting, and catching up with Patty.

Because of surgery in July, this will be my only trip to the lake this summer. That's okay. I had a good time and there are plenty of other activities to keep me that lovely combination of engaged and relaxed that means summer.

School's out!

Guess how I plan to spend my summer...
....plus sewing and seeing our other grandchild (the camera shy Mitchell) and working on school stuff and maybe cooking and I do have to have surgery and cleaning out closets and....I love this early summer feeling!