Branson

The kids have been wanting to make a trip to Branson.  The day the kids were suppose to have off and didn't when we were in Chicago was moved to this past Friday.  So I decided to take the kids and go to Branson.  Tim didn't care if we went but he didn't want to go so the kids and I loaded up and headed South on Thursday night after they got out of school.  We arrived at our hotel at 11:30PM and went straight to bed. Friday morning we got up early and arrived at SDC at 8AM.  It was a great day with low crowds and amazing weather. 

I am not sure I have ever been to Pumpkins in the City festival at SDC. I loved all the pumpkins and fall decorations. 

The kids and I rode Fire in the Hole.  I use to ride this one with my parents when I was little.  It is my favorite ride. 

Saturday we stopped by and saw one of our family friends who lives down there, we did some shopping and then went to the Comedy Jamboree show.  The show was a hit with all three of us. We loved it. 

We stayed at the Grand County Inn and there were so many things to do.  The kids played laser tag and swam at the water park both nights.  

Anyone who really knows us knows we HAD to stop by Andy's especially since we don't live close to one anymore.  This stuff is pure crack.  

Chicago

The kids were suppose to have a three day weekend so we decided to take a trip to Chicago.  Last minute the school updated the calendar since they started late and the kids no longer had that Monday off.  We had already booked our hotel and Amtrak tickets so we went ahead and went. We caught the train in Bloomington Thursday night and headed for the city. 

 Friday morning the kids got up and did virtual school from the hotel room.  I have to say it is nice they can be in school from anywhere as long as it is quiet.  

After the kids were out of school we walked over to cloud gate AKA The bean.  You could not get right up to it but it was kind of cool that we got pictures with no one else in them.

Saturday morning we got up early and visited Willis Tower and the Sky Deck. 

I am definitely not a city girl but this view with the water behind it was so pretty.  

Looking down from the 103 floor really is a long way down. 

We were waiting in line and were asked if we would be willing to have our picture taken and used in future advertisements.  For doing so they gave us a free print.  

Saturday afternoon we took an architectural tour down the Chicago river.  I think this was Tim and my favorite part of the trip but the history was lost on the kids.  They thought it was a little boring.  

In addition to the history it was a beautiful boat ride. 

Sunday morning we got up early and went to Shedd aquarium.  

Shedd Aquarium was a mile and a half from our hotel.  We walked over but Carter had wanted to ride the Lyft bikes so we rented them and rode them back to the hotel.

Monday morning we got up and caught the train to head home.  

The kids were able to call into their classes while on the train ride home (since they ended up having school on Monday).   

The best part of the train ride was getting to visit the snack cabin. 

 We have been using our weekends to complete projects.  This weekend we had plans to wrap up a few pending projects.  We didn't get everything we had planed done but Tim did hang a couple things for me, the boys mowed and cut tree limbs and McKenzie and I did some more cleaning and putting stuff away.  

Grams and Pas gave us this picture for our wedding.  I had put it away but found it in our move and wanted to hang it again. 

Grams and Pas also gave us this sign. It is so true.  The mail holder was a must.  I need a place to keep track of all of Tim's mail during the week so he doesn't have to track it down when he gets home. 

Our wedding picture. 

This boy loves to mow.  He loves when it rains during the week so the grass will grow and he can mow on the weekends.  I am so glad we have a flat yard here and he can help mow.

I always show the "pretty" but I want to remember the real life of what it is like living in our home while we make it ours. Lots of paint supplies, items we have bought to install and the blue board is going in Carter's room (more on that later).

Lots of tools and a tool belt left laying around. 

New chair

Carter has been asking for an office chair to sit in to do his school work.  We were driving home yesterday and someone had a gaming chair sitting by the curb.  Carter begged me to stop and get it.  I made him go up to the house and confirm they were giving it away. They were giving it away so we brought home Carter's new chair.  He is so proud of it he sat in it all night last night.  This morning he could not wait for school to start.

 

This school year looks very different

The kids are on their third week of school and it looks so different this year. They are 100% virtual. It is going much better than I expected. The kids have a set schedule every day just like they would in school.  They call into zoom calls at certain times and the class is taught by the teacher and then released to complete the work.  The teacher stays on the zoom call should a student have a question they can call back in and ask.  Other than the lack of socialization it is going well.