It's time... time for the week long adventure to Illinois. Punta Gorda to Springfield, IL to Mount Vernon, to Benton, to Herrin to Fern Cliff and Back.
We arrived early at the Punta Gorda airport. Very Small place. But we picked out our seat while we waited to get on the plane. Trying to wear Anthony out.
Anthony was very excited to get on the plane. I think he is too young to understand we are way about the ground. No flight anxiety at all.... for him. Laura was a different story. She was pretty nervous. Didn't know until I looked over and she was a little tense. We practiced swallowing so Anthony's ears would pop. Made a game out of it. The tablet was the life saver. Gave him something to do on the plane. Unfortunately we had to put it away on the decent. Uncle Jim and GPA Dennis picked us up at the airport. 3 hours later we arrived at Jim and Mary's. It was late. Straight to bed for the kids.
The next morning when Anthony woke up, the first thing he said was... You painted my room????
Balloons were the toy of the week.
Had a helper getting the bugs off my truck. Oh yeah, GMA and GPA Dennis drove my truck up there. They were going to rent a car to drive then I was going to rent a car to drive to northern Illinois to go race. Them driving my truck saved a bunch of money for everyone.
Jim had a cardboard castle for his grandkids. Anthony loved it.
Lots of room to run...
and throw rocks
Tuesday we went to Aunt Sondra's about an hour away in Herrin, IL. Anthony, Grandma and Laura played outside for at least and hour throwing and chasing a stick. Great excursive before dinner.
Bathtime in a sink.
Wednesday we went to eat lunch with GMA's Sister from the next state over. The only see each other once a year.
Sisters.
Nice view from Jim's porch.
Time to fill up the water balloons for the balloon fight with 2nd cousin Nolan and ( )
This is Jamie, laura's cousin. One of her kids said "mommy, she looks like you"
Walking around in Fern Cliff.
Anthony found twins to hang out with at the airport before our flight home. The flight that was over and hour late. We walked in the door at home after midnight.
Yes Ethan was with us. He was pretty good the whole time. The plane ride there was really good. On the way home he was fussy most of the way. Didn't get a good burp before we took off so that made a difference. Anthony fell asleep as we landed in Punta Gorda. He is getting heavy to carry through the airport while getting baggage and walking to the truck.
Had a great trip. Anthony had a few firsts.... Camping with GMA and GPA overnight in a tent. Flying in a plane. Walking up and down stairs in a two story house. Seeing cliffs (he called them mountains) Saw deer (wasn't that impressed since our dog was close to the same size) Long car rides. Everywhere we went was an hour to 3 hours away.
Sometime in the middle of the trip, I went north to Chicago to pick up Grandpa Rice and go racing.
Can't wait until next year. Might be time for a theme park???
