January 31, 2012

January 31, 2012

Yesterday Aunt Dorrie and I took Sage for a long walk at Krape Park in Freeport, Illinois. We went to the Big Apple restaurant for lunch and had a nice, relaxing day.

Today Uncle Greg, Aunt Dorrie, Mischelle, and I went to Chicago for the day. We started at the Alder Planetarium and then explored the Shedd Aquarium. Although we did not attend a show at the planetarium, it was still as awesome as I remembered from my trip there as a kid. Since today is a Discount Day, all Illinois residents receive free general admission to these two buildings and the Field Museum.

After a quick Chicago-style hot dog at the aquarium, we headed to the Field Museum and made our way through their exhibit on the Ancient Americas (http://fieldmuseum.org/happening/exhibits/browse). The Field Museum is huge, and we only saw a small part of it before leaving for the Willis (Sears) Tower. Mischelle and Uncle Greg went up to the 103rd floor and went out on the Skydeck.

Tomorrow I'll be able to meet up with my cousin Gregory and his girlfriend Amanda for lunch and then Uncle Greg, Aunt Dorrie, Mischelle, and I are going to Rockford to meet up with some more family members on my dad's side for pizza. I'm also going to see my cousin Brandy and her family at some point during the day. I'll add a pic from the Skydeck after Mischelle gets home from school tomorrow...

Navy Pier

Earthrise as seen from Apollo 8

Piece of the "Great Scott Rock" retrieved by Apollo 15's crew

Seahorses

Seahorses

Penguins

No idea why these guys were posing...

Baby carrier

Grinders (different sizes) for maize

January 29, 2012

January 29, 2012

My Aunt Lois cooked a nice brunch today and her daughter Stacy joined us with her three boys. Afterward, I drove the two hours north to Uncle Greg and Aunt Dorrie's house. I had an opportunity to chat with Uncle Greg for a good while upon arrival and then we (along with my cousin Mischelle and their family friend Colleen) had bacon cheeseburgers and watched a few movies. Sage enjoyed stealing Teddy's bed and toys, although she's a little too big...

I'll be here near Rockford for another day or two, then I'll head to Nashville :)

January 28, 2012

January 28, 2012

Aunt Lois and I went to Starved Rock and Buffalo Rock State Parks today and checked out the frozen waterfalls. Sage walked in the snow and got nice and muddy. We left for Streator in the afternoon and went to my Uncle Pat and Aunt Sandy's house for dinner. Uncle Mike and two of his grandkids joined us and we all had pizza and celebrated Lois and Pat's birthday. I hadn't seen most of these family members since the Wheeler reunion in 2002. We reviewed some pictures from Pat and Sandy's various trips out to California and had a good time catching up.

Starved Rock State Park

Starved Rock State Park

Buffalo Rock State Park

Olivia Peacelyn & Papa Mike

Ian Irie & Alex

Alex, Ian, & Peace

Uncle Mike & Cindy

Uncle Pat, Aunt Lois, & Uncle Mike

Taller than me now, and Jeremy's driving, but boys will be boys :)

January 27, 2012

January 27, 2012

Today Sage and I walked along the Mississippi River in Hannibal, Missouri. I enjoyed the Mark Twain Museums and a tour of Sam Clemenses boyhood home. There is also a model of Huck Finn's home and the actual law office building of Sam's father, who served as Hannibal's Justice of the Peace. I am glad I saved my souvenir funds for Hannibal, as I couldn't help purchasing a few items from the gift shops.

I made it to Ottawa and had a nice home-cooked dinner with my Aunt Lois and two of her grandsons, Christopher and Aiden. I'll be in Ottawa for one more night, and then I'm heading north to the Rockford area to stay with my Uncle Greg and Aunt Dorrie.

Happy Birthday Uncle Greg!