Chicago

We're having a wonderful time on our road trip. The girls were amazing on the drive up, especially Lauren. We made it to Bowling Green, KY for our first night and got into Chicago around 4pm our 2nd travel day. Thank you Jason for all the driving!!

Sunday we went downtown. The Sear's Tower has new glass observation boxes that actually come out from the building so you're standing on glass outside the building. Doesn't sound like fun to us...but here's what they look like from the interstate.Lunch at The Cheesecake Factory.
Outside American Girl Place, a VERY exciting moment for these two. Before our trip, they both emptied their piggy banks to bring spending money for this store. Of course they brought their own dolls to visit as well.

N posing with the 'Just Like You' dolls. She choose to buy two stuffed animal kittens for her doll.
After careful consideration, V decided to not buy anything and keep saving her money in order to buy Molly, the doll with glasses and braids. (She's now well schooled in eBay and is hoping to win an auction soon.)

L...not so impressed with American Girl & chose to nap...give her a few years.
Amy & Jason with Granma Betty at her 90th birthday party. It was great to see EVERYONE come over to celebrate. We took a large family photo and I can't wait to be sent a copy & share it.

Lauren meeting Granma Betty for the first time.

L loving Granma's walker with her 2nd cousin.
More fun with cousins!
We have had the best time staying at Jason's Aunt Linda & Tim's house. We so appreciate your generosity and endless hospitality! L loved Tim's regular guitar playing.


V was rockin' the microphone.

N sang the sweetest song about "if you look inside your heart, you'll find love."
Jason's father, Tom, is the best playmate and companion to the girls. L has discovered she can get him to take her most anywhere and play with her most anytime. She would grab his hand and drag him to the steps, up and down, up and down. One morning he was still sleeping upstairs and she was ready for him to get up. After calling for him she got his shoes and started taking them upstairs. She was ready for him to get up, get his shoes on and take her outside!
We've now said goodbye to Chicago and are staying at Tim & Linda's cottage on Lake Michigan in Michigan. The girls are really enjoying their cousins and we are enjoying the down time. We'll be here until Thurs or Fri.

Natalieisms:

• As we were driving through Kentucky, N was on the phone talking to Granma Mary who was in FL. N says, "Granma do you see the moon? It's big and orange." Mary replies, "I do see it, but it's not orange, it's white." N, "Well that's because we're on the other side of it"
• N picked up a tube of toothpaste with the traditional screw off top and says, "How in the world do you open this thing?!" She's used to the newer pump kind.