Illinois cousins!

Okay, I hope to get this posted for sure today. The electricty flickering on Saturday proved frustrating for blog updates.

The kids and I headed to Illinois for a one-day trip to see my cousin Brad, his wife Lesley (who's posted pictures on her blog), and their two boys Drew and Reed. We had a great time visiting, eating, scrapbooking just a little, touring Brad's church, making a craft with the kids and watching Drew practice soccer. My aunt Marilyn made the trip with me and we made the three hour trip without too many stops. Our first two stops were within a mile or two of our house, which made me think "This could be a long trip." But we were off and going after that.

Our entrance into their house was also a little rough a first. Brad & Lesley have a dog. . . not a big one, but a dog is a dog to my kids who are not fond of them. By the end of the day, three of them had warmed up to Lucy but Eden was still not willing to be friends. Here are the kids enjoying the backyard.
Eden is in Marilyn's lap, safe from Lucy. Eliza was one of the first ones to run through the sprinkler.

Aunt Marilyn spoiled the kids with decorated cookies from the bakery. Emmet (on the ottoman) and Drew and Eden just relaxing. We didn't get a good group shot, but if had, you would have thought that Drew was a brother to Ephraim and Emmet.

All the kids on the soccer field before official practice starts. What my kids remember from this is how HOT it was. No shade, they were tired, it was humid . . .yes, they got a little cranky. But we were headed for home shortly. Three of the kids were asleep before we even left town. The three hour trip home went well. We'll definitely have to try to visit again.