Visit to Chicago for Memorial Day Weekend

We decided on a whim to drive over to Chicago for the weekend. We're so glad we did. We had a great time, relaxed, the kids enjoyed themselves, Grandpa and Grandma enjoyed it, it was perfect.

This was the drive there. It went surprisingly well.



Paige shared her macaroni with Emma.


Emma fell asleep early, which was nice.

Jake didn't have it so rough either.




Kate being the veteran traveler that she is got right to business as you can see when we picked her up in Wisconsin. That kid can sleep anywhere!!

We arrived in Chicago at around 3 or 4 am and we surprised Grandpa! Ha! He said he woke up to hear little feet coming up the stairs. What a great sound to wake up to.

We visited the "Splash Pad" three times over the course of the weekend. The girls enjoyed it, as you can see. The weather was warm and sunny.

I told Paige there was a water fountain, but she had to do it her way.





Emma playing at "Gank" and "La La's" while Gank, La La, Paige and Kate were at church.




We had some great treats to eat, including rainbow sherbet and squirt floats, nachos covered in melted cheese and peppers and pepperoni, chocolate chip cheesecake, Aebleskivers with CRUNCHY bacon, Carrot Cake, Pulled Pork sandwiches, Cuban plantains, Cuban Pulled Pork, Beans and Rice, it was AWESOME!!!!! We even got Micah to eat a Monte Cristo Sandwich that had been DEEP FRIED!!!!!!!
If you look closely in these next two pics, you can see that Paige's sherbet matches her outfit. (totally planned of course)


Poor Grandpa Grenz probably has sore arms and shoulders because all of the grandkids take turns having him throw them in the air and swing them back and forth or flip them over onto their feet. He didn't know when he started this rite of passage that his two lone sons would produce EIGHT grandchildren for him to throw, swing and flip over and over and over. It's funny to see them all in line waiting for their turn with Grandpa. Emma learned how to say "again" this visit! (Gank, you got yourself into this mess, good luck!) Who needs to work out when you have grandkids like yours?