The Adventures of My MIL & SIL

This week was the first time my MIL & SIL ever flew on an airplane without their spouses. Yay they did it. They are new women because of it.

Wed- we went to my water aerobics class and I learned that my MIL never learned how to swim. She just exercised in the back by the wall but the water is only 4 ft. All those years we played at Lake Powell and I never knew. Got to give her credit for jumping in the pool at the age of 72.


Afternoon my MIL & SIL helped me and my friend make tamales. I think I will call her Tamale Tina from now on. I love tamales. I think it's fun to have four ladies sitting around playing in cornmeal.
Anna had her Xcountry awards that evening so off we went for some fine dining - Jr. high cafeteria style
So who has more gray? I love this pic, so glad we had some down time waiting for that fine food.

Thurs - Diane took Grandma shopping for some new clothes. They came back two hours later giggling with their goods.
We then headed to Potbelly's for lunch. You know how I love a Potbelly sandwich.











We ventured to Goebberts Pumpkin Farm and Garden Center in S. Barrington. Didn't take any pics due to the rain. But we did manage to bring home some Halloween loot.

That evening the whole family went to see "Hairspray" at the Marriott theater in Lincolnshire.
Another first for Grandma, since she's never been to a big production play. We all loved it and I love that theater in the round - well it's really a square but it's so up close and personal, not a bad seat in the house. I'm so happy Grandma enjoyed it. "Can't stop the beat" you know.
Side note - Dear Santa - I would like season tickets to the theater.

Friday - We went back to Barrington for brunch at my favorite little restaurant out here.
Egg Harbor Cafe
Next stop Long Grove, a cute lil German village for some chocolate and the best apple cider donuts you've ever had in your life. Fresh out of the oven mind you.


Then off to Lake Geneva and oh yeah we had to stop on the Wisconsin border for Cheese

You can't see the fall colors because it rained or was cloudy the whole time they were here. bummer. Of course the sun came out Sat. after they left.














I think Grandma had a good time and thanks to aunt Diane for bringing her on an adventure. She needed it.

"The test of an adventure is that when you’re in the middle of it, you say to yourself. Oh now I’ve got myself into an awful mess. I wish I were sitting quietly at home and the sign that something’s wrong with you is that when you sit quietly at home wishing you were out having lots of adventures" Thornton Wilder's play The Matchmaker

Four Drivers and a Funeral

28 hours of straight driving will get you from Lake in the HIlls,IL to Cottonwood, AZ. Thank goodness for four drivers.
The first thing Anna did after hugging Grandma was go hunting for Lizards.
Anna and her cousins Traygon and Cheney taking a break from Lizard catching
The funeral was lovely. All the grandkids sang "I Am A Child of God". Tender to watch Traygon trying to be brave and his little sister Chaney patting his back, offering comfort when she was having a hard time also on that last verse. Just got to me. Such sweet, sweet kids.
David and his 2 brother in laws named John spoke. Such a great tribute to Norman. He really did touch tons of people. The place was packed. Afterwards we headed to the cemetary for the final resting place of Norman.
David and his sisters saying a few words. Then David asked his uncles and aunt to say a few words. Aunt Donna said, "I hope I'm next because I can't bear to bury another brother" Uncle Dale responded with his arm up in the air, "All in favor" quite comical those uncles are.

Then back to the church for lunch and visiting with the families






So good to see cousins
The following day we decided to drive to Disneyland with countless cousins and Grandma didn't even hesitate when David invited her to come. Her bags were packed within minutes. So a convoy of three cars headed to the Happiest Place on Earth. There were 15 of us and we never took a group pic. bummer. I took a few others mostly under protest.
Buzz and Anna




I did learn that if you go on the Grizzly River Run that you should bring an exta pair of dry socks. Emily and Molly's socks never dried off and they were ever so smelly on the ride home that night. Yes we were insane to spend 2 full days at Disneyland then drive 6 hours to Mesa.
Some things never change!!



















Why did it take us only 27 straight hours of driving from Az to IL? hmmm... maybe because lovergirl would only let us stop and eat one meal and then she gave us a time limit of 10 min. "I have to work tues. morning so I need my sleep" was her reply. We arrived home exactly at 9:08 just like Darla (our GPS) predicted and who should drive up at 9:15? Yep Loverboy - Life goes on <3