Back to the vacay- A day on memory lane...

I was excited to take the kids to see where I lived; where I grew up.  See, we have lived in Washington for the past 15 years now.  Larry was born here.  He grew up here.  His entire family also lives here.  There are many blessings that go along with that scenario.  For instance, Payton has played many a basketball game on Larry's home court at Kentwood.  Our children have walked the halls of his high school.  They have seen where he lived his entire life before college.  This trip to Chicago was, in part, an attempt at giving my family a taste of my youth.  Let my kids see where I lived, where I went to school.  And so we took our first full day to show them around.  And, boy, were they excited!  *can you sense the sarcasm?

This was the first house I can truly remember.  It is on Mason St, I learned.  It is just 3 or 4 houses down from our elementary school.  There used to be a candy store on the corner where we would spend our quarters.  Our babysitter's house was down the road.  Not much has changed here.

Tioga Elementary, Bensenville, IL - Kindergarten, 1st, 1/2 of 2nd

Lincoln Elementary, Palatine, IL - 1/2 4th, 5th and 6th

I didn't take any pics of Walter R. Sundling Jr. High- but we did see it.

And then there's Palatine High school.  We actually walked right in, checked out the new color scheme

(no longer orange, but a fitting red and grey).

So here's the parking lot and my class' Senior picture which hangs on the wall now.

Some of my happy kids in front of the alma mater.

We moved to Palatine from Rolling Meadows half way through my 4th grade year.  I had just turned 9 years old.  This is the condo my parents bought.  We lived at 131 W. Brandon Ct. until I left for college 8 1/2 short years later.  Lots of memories there.  The city of Palatine has really changed.  But not our condo.  In fact, I that door is still the same brown!  Almost wanted to buzz just for old times sake.

And the best part of a day on memory lane was the great visit with old friends.  I regret to say that I forgot to pull out the camera until after Jen left but I did get this one picture with Andra.  I have known Jen and Andra since we moved to Palatine.  Our lives have moved in different directions but how great to sit and catch up!  I was so grateful they took time out of their schedules to meet us.  It was so fun for Larry to meet them after years of just hearing stories!  Good dinner, great conversation - No reunion could beat it.  So thanks ladies for making my night, my week, my year even.  It is a night I won't soon forget!

So it might be some time before my family gets back to Chicago.  It might be a while before I even head back.  But my heart was filled with new memories over the ten days we were there.  I didn't realize how much I needed to reconnect with my life from way back when.  I have lived so far from it for so long, that it almost didn't seem real anymore.  There is definitely something to be said for having roots - and no matter how long I've been away or how far I've gone, it's great to know they're still there. 

Yesterday at school.

Me and one anxious 3 1/2 year old!

I have been neglectful of my blog.  So much vacation to cover!  Not to mention all the daily to-do's that keep piling up in my picture files.  So a moment of catch up- Porter started preschool a couple of weeks ago.  We considered and reconsidered spending the money, sending him somewhere without me, blah, blah, blah.  Our neighbor, friend and fellow ward member just happened to start up a preschool in her home.  Voila!  Decision made.  Yesterday was day #4 on his Tuesday/Thursday schedule.  He loves it!  I miss him!  But, then again, I don't.  It's been good for both of us.  And now we know that A is for Apple!  Progress!  



First day of preschool breakfast request:  eggs and toast.



Breakfast of champions.



On the road to school (one block, in fact)



Sayin' goodbyes.

Porter's class.

Waving to the parents.

Said parents:  happy.

After school day #1.

Success and the letter A.

But I must share another Mommy moment before it escapes me.  Here goes...

So I met Porter after preschool yesterday with his teacher. 

She told me how well behaved he is...

happy mama! 

Then she proceeded to tell me that he says the funniest things.  

Waiting..... (and I quote)....

 Today Porter told us,

"My dad spanks good. 

But my Mom doesn't. 

She doesn't do it hard enough." 

I haven't decided if mama is happy yet or not. 

Today in the car.

Me:  Look at those 2 big dogs, Porter.  They're called Weimaraners.

Porter:  That's funny (laughing).  Can I call Cooper that?

Me:  No.  Cooper is a lab.  A Labrador retriever.

Porter:  (laughing)  That's funny.  She bites me.

Me:  She doesn't bite.  She's a good dog.

Porter:  Yes she does.  She bite my arm.

Me:  She didn't bite.  She just tried to get your pickles.

Porter:  I'M NOT A PICKLE!

Me:  Nope, Porter, you're not a pickle. 

We Have Arrived!

First things first!  Hugs were shared and then we all went back to bed!  Actually, it was 6:00am (4am Seattle time) when we arrived at the Bresnahan home.  We had driven through the night once again.  Larry was about to strangle someone as Minnesota dragged on for what felt like forever!  So in the wee hours of the morning I took over the driving responsibilities.  I got to enjoy Wisconsin in the dark while the family slept.  But, best of all, I was able to watch the sun rise over my beloved homeland!  Midwestern farms were replaced by housing developments, schools and then malls and businesses.  Then Chicago popped up on the horizon.  It was quite a sight to see.  The roads sounded familiar.  My memory of this place has definitely faded.  But we were just about there!  So I woke up the troops and we watched as we entered the city. 

Terri and Brian woke up to share hugs and welcome us.  Brian had made a gift bag for each of the kids containing something different.  It was great!  So the girls all took a rest in the basement with their various magazines, books and treats while Larry and I took Porter back to bed in the guest room. 

Soon it was time to stir.  We had some gifts to give and some baby-hugging to do. 

We gave Paxon a pair of pjs matching Porter's. 

Keaton got some shoes, which I'm sure he was thrilled about!  And Abby got a new tshirt- and I'm amazed I didn't get one picture of sweet Abby from this morning!

We all got ready and went to church.  We attended Terri's ward, Chicago 1st I believe, that afternoon and then came back to rest and hang out.  The boys put on their matching jammies and played like they were long, lost brothers!  Porter was in heaven having a little guy his size to pal around with!

We were definitely prepared for an amazing week with family in Chicago!

We had to drive through the night... again.  Saturday evening we drove until we were starving, only to find that there is very little open at 9pm out in the boonies.  Oh well.... After dinner the kids took a much needed frolick in the neighboring (closed for the night!) shop of "yard art", along with my camera.  Interesting selection - statuary as well as pictures!

Mt. Rushmore National Monument

Saturday, August 7.   After driving all night, Larry took a break in the back seat.  I finished the stretch to Mt. Rushmore.  There was a turn off several miles prior to the national park.  It had a visitors center, hiking trails, and caves to explore.  In our time crunch, we passed on the caves and hit the 1 mile walk.  It was a gorgeous day!

It's great to see all the smiles even after 24 hours in the car!

The weekend we began our adventure happened to be Sturgis weekend.  I didn't know too much about it, but we learned that hundreds and thousands of bikers come from all over the country to camp and stay in Sturgis.  Several were making a stop at Mt. Rushmore along with us. 

Puyallup has painted pigs.  Mt. Rushmore has buffalo. 

Our first view as we came around the bend.

I think the best word to describe Mt. Rushmore is majestic.  There is a feeling of reverence there- even though there is not any reference to faith.  We are truly grateful to have had this experience.

This was an educational pit stop as well.

I might be thinking Christmas picture... what do you think?

There is an Artists' Studio there which holds the original plaster mock-up of the Mt. Rushmore sculpture.  As you stand in front of the 30 foot replica, you can see the real thing through the wall of windows.  Beautiful!

And, yes, that is Dino of the Flintstone's fame.  Right before you hit Mt. Rushmore there is a Flintstone's-themed campground that got all of us almost as excited as seeing the president's themselves!