Illinois 2012

last night we got home from our annual trip to my sister's house in Illinois.  we had a great trip this year with a balance of staying busy and relaxing.   the ride down on wednesday went well (we left about 430 am.  Ben slept pretty much the whole way and Eleanor did well coloring and watching movies.  Ben's schedule got messed up though, so the first night we were there, he was up for good at 3 am.  yuck.  Wednesday afternoon was spent by the pool and in the evening, my friend Kate stopped by.  Eleanor had a blast following her big cousin Bailey around.  Thursday we did some shopping and more time by the pool.  Friday we tried to take the kids to the park but Eleanor said "it's too sunny and chose to peel paint off the picnic tables instead.  It has been super hot there.  it was close to 100 every day we were there but actually that's not even as hot as it had been.  thank goodness my sister has a pool!  Saturday we met up with my friend Melissa and her daughter Lily and took the kids to santa's village -a petting zoo and amusement park that was there when I was a kid but recently re done and re opened.  Eleanor had a blast going on rides even though it rained a little.  Sunday was spent in the pool and we headed home sunday evening. We had fun, but it sure is good to be home!