Our New Jersey Visitors

Last Sunday, Sheryl's cousin Mitch and his family arrived from New Jersey for a week long visit to the Chicago area. We started the visit by celebrating my father-in-law's and Carolyn's (Mitch's daughter) birthdays by having a family get together. All of the in-laws from Milwaukee drove down (3 adults and 2 kids). Then there was Mitch, his wife Laura and their 3 kids, Carolyn, Tracy and Sara. In total we had 7 adults trying to control 7 children and 2 dogs.

Somehow a couple of the neighborhood children also joined the party. There was so much chaos that it took a couple of minutes before we realized we had party crashers! I grilled Brats, Dogs and Burgers for dinner. Then we had cake and ice cream. All too soon it was time for the Milwaukee folks to go home. Plans were made to join the Millers on Wednesday.

Today, Wednesday, Sheryl and I took Meghan and Mathew into the loop to see their New Jersey cousins. We were supposed to have taken the fire truck tour. The tour runs by appointment only and they never called Laura back to confirm an appointment. We decided to visit Water Tower Center for lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. Just before our meal arrived, Mathew realized the Thomas store was in sight. There was no getting him to eat after that.

When our late lunch was finished, we visited the Thomas store. Mathew was in heaven. They even had a Thomas train he could ride! Next we went back to the Doubletree hotel to swim. The kids had a great afternoon. Suddenly, it was 6:00 and time to change to go home. We were having so much fun, I really didn't take too many photos.


Here are the 5 kids taking a 2 second break. From left to right, Carolyn, Tracy, Sara, Meghan and Mathew.


Another shot of the kids posing. After just a couple of hours they were the best of friends.


Everywhere you look in the loop, there are blooming tulips. There are so many I almost thought I was in Holland.


I just liked this tree with its lavender blossoms.