Pictures

Thursday was the route to Humboldt. They got a late start and then had a flat tire. So were about the last bikers to come in. Today's top speed was 41 mph! (going down a hill) Someone asked if that was faster than he was going down the ski slope a few years ago. I am pretty sure it is but that didn't work out so well.

Wednesday

Wednesday was another long day for the bikers. They had 78 miles to go to Eureka. James topped out at 35 mph on one of the big hills into town. They had a little map trouble getting started and actually added a few miles trying to figure out why they were on a sand road instead of pavement. We met them at their lunch stop in Eldorado and presented them with bike decorations - a parrot for James and a shark for Matt. As we were waiting for them it was really cool to see the bikes surrounding the Spangles resturant.

Then we went on to Eureka and got them set up for the night before we left to come home. Yes home to sleep in my own bed for two nights. After supper they decided to add a few more miles to equal 100 miles - a century ride is a great accomplishment.

Tuesday

Yesterday was a hard ride for Jame

& Matt. They had lots of wind & 77 miles to cover. Today is very cool & possible rain & another 78 miles to ride.

Last night we stayed in St John. We also went to Great Bend to see friends. Today we will find something to do in Hutchinson then on to Halstead.

Ok so I'm trying to figure out how to update my blog from my phone. Later I will have to post pictures.
The girls & I arrived in Jetmore Sunday evening.

Day5-6

On Friday, we checked out of the hotel. Amazingly enough everything fit back into the van. I am not sure how considering the purchases we made. Each of the dolls come in a large box for example. Then we drove to the Field Museum for Madeline's orchestra performance. I did not get to hear all of the performance as we were a few minutes late for the 10 am performance. But the girls were able to hear it and take pictures as I dropped them off at the door.

After the performance, we visited many of the exhibits. This museum was not as exciting to the girls as the animals are not alive and moving. We did go through the Underground exhibit. Entering this exhibit there is a mirror chamber where you pretend to shrink to the size of a bug under the soil. We really played it up for the kids and they thought it was fun. Katie asked me later if we were still shrunk. (Here's a Katie bug inside a bug)

The museum also had an interactive play area for small kids with dress up, moveable items, and a sound room with different instruments. One room was mainly art supplies and that is where they had the most fun.

(Picking corn and painting)We also toured the mummies of egypt and pretended to lie in a mummy coffin. I love Katrianna's expression!

We left the museum about 3pm as the girls were tired. We wanted to stop at the beach for a few minutes but the only parking we could find included walking a distance and a charge of $17 so disappointingly we had to pass. Then we tried to get out of downtown. We spent over 90 minutes in horrid traffic both in downtown and on the interstate trying to get to I 80 toward Iowa. During this time sitting in traffic, Ava got sick all over herself then she was sad and not feeling well. There was nothing we could do until we got to a rest area to clean up. We gave Katie a bag to as she was gagging a little after witnessing this event. Lexie was our hero to get Ava's clothes off while she was still in the carseat and bagged them. Probably she was just a little car sick after the weaving and starting/stopping in traffic as she was fine running around the rest area while her mom cleaned the carseat.
Friday night we stayed in Cedar Rapids with Nikki's brother. After a yummy breakfast we were back on the road toward home. We spent 7 hours in the car on Friday and 8 hours in the car on Saturday. We arrived home about 7:30p and were glad to be home. Even though it is only a short stay.

Madeline's group went to Six Flags amusement park today. She is reporting that it was cold and wet. So they left a few hours earlier than scheduled and will be home early Sunday morning.

Day 4

Today has been an adventure. We managed to maneuver public transportation - the subway and the "El" train just like on tv. The girls did great paying attention and staying together. They even know how to look away when there is a rambling street person. I have to say it was a successful day. The orchestra sounded great in the Courtyard at the Sears Tower. They did however break an elevator I am told and had to wait until after the performance to go up to the Skydeck.

After the Tower it was a time for shopping. We didn't make it to many stores however, just the important ones;Hersheys, American Girl, and the Disney Store. We all found chocolate at the Hershey store -mmm. Katie adopted a new doll at the American Girl store. It is not one of the American Girls as they are too expensive. This one is a Bitty Baby and is adorable. This doll will create lots of ideas for birthday and Christmas presents as the clothes and accessories are pricey. But she is so delighted and I can not remember when we last bought her a baby doll.

Finally we went to see the Blue Man Group. To get there we had more train riding and walking. We were all glad to finally sit down and see the show. In an unexpected twist, Madeline's ticket was the seat in front of Lexie so I was able to sit with all my girls for the show. They all loved it and thought it was cool. Afterward, we jumped on Madeline's bus for a ride back to our hotel. We were tired and are very thankful they gave us a ride.

Tomorrow is our last day in Chicago. Madeline plays at the Field museum at 10am, but I am not sure we will get everything packed by then. So far we are having a great trip and have had very minor difficulties. The girls have definitely figured out this city stuff.

Day 3

Seagulls! Seagulls! Seagulls!

Katrianna is facinated by seagulls. She saw them out the hotel window and asked me if Bald Eagles are white on their chests. I didn't realize what she was talking about until we were walking from the parkinglot to the Aquarium. She was trying to chase them to pet them and was watching them fly and land around us.

I completed my first successfull driving experience in Chicago. Our directions from the hotel to the Aquarium included "turn left" now "turn right" next "turn left" then turn right" all the way. So we went in a zig zag pattern and had no troubles. Lets hope that luck lasts.

At the Aquarium the girls enjoyed seeing the dolphin and Beluga whale show. Then we touched a starfish and a sea urchin. We also watched them feed several of the different animals.

After supper we went to Navy Pier for shopping and fireworks. It was a cold evening and Lexie was glad we brought a blanket to wrap her in to watch the fireworks.

Day 2

Today was more St Louis fun and driving. While I was attending the training, the girls had a swim and went to the Science Center. I have not heard yet what their favorite part of the Science Center was, but I know they saw it all. We left the center with a new passenger - a pink dinosaur from the Build A Dino store. Her name is KAITLYN.

Tonight we ate supper in Troy with my Aunt Pam and Uncle Jr., Heather, Stephanie, Craig and baby Logan. It has been a long time since I had a visit with them and my first meeting with Logan.

We left there about 8pm and headed to Chicago. We arrived in Chicago about 1am with only two stops. Katie fell asleep about 15 minutes before we arrived at the hotel. Then these weary travelers had trouble finding the room as 450 seems to come between 415 and 418. Maybe tomorrow it will make sense, but not tonight.

Madeline's trip seems to be going well also. They left at 430am and arrived at the Arch to play their concert. As they were finishing up, it started to rain. Then it downpoured. I think everything was put away before it was wet. Next they went to the zoo for a few hours. Finally they arrived at their hotel in Bloomington and will be here tomorrow morning.

Day 1

We made it to St Louis about 11pm last night. It's funny how quickly a pile of snacks can disappear in the car in a few hours. Our hotel is nice and accomodates our large group very well. However the moderness of the clear glass shower is interesting.

Today the girls got to swim at the hotel pool and had fun. Then we went to the City Museum. I think it is my favorite place ever. Each time we go there they have something new to see or do. I think the title museum is misleading. This is not a place where you go to look at stuff. Each area is created with recycled stuff from factories, buildings, etc. There are places to climb, crawl through, and hide everywhere. The girls wanted to try everything and then do it again. Lexie and Morgan even went down the highest shoe chute slide. I think it is 5 stories high. We also took time before we left to explore art city to paint and create with clay.

After City Museum we went to supper at a resturant on Laclede's Landing. Hmm who was the idiot driver who thought leaving a museum at 5 to drive near the Arch was a good idea? But we made it eventually. Finally we went to the Arch. Hearing the girls comments as they finally saw it makes it all worth it. We even went up to the top to look down. Of course no trip to the Arch is complete without dipping our feet in the river below. The water is higher than the last time I was here and there is sand evidence that it was much higher. Katie liked the softness of the sand on the sidewalk.

So far things have went smoothly. Lets hope they continue. I will try to get the pictures to post, but if not then they will be posted when we get home.

The St Louis/Chicago Adventure

St Louis/ Chicago Adventure

Our grand adventure has started. It was a crazy idea so it will be interesting to see how crazy I am by next week. Lexie, Katie, and I along with my friend Nikki and her two girls Morgan and Ava decided to take a trip together to Chicago, but first we have to spend two days in St Louis while I go to a training on a child development screening tool. The trip snowballed after I wanted to go to Chicago because Madeline is traveling there with her orchestra. So here is the run down of the trip:

May 31 - drive to St Louis
June 1 - attend training and activities in St Louis
June 2 - more training and activities in St Louis then drive to Chicago
June 3 - Visit Shedd Aquarium and Navy Pier
June 4 - Visit Sears Tower and see the Blue Man group
June 5 - Visit Field Museum and leave Chicago for Nikki's brother's house in Iowa
June 6 - Drive back to Emporia

I will keep you posted on our travels!