Illinois

Well, last minute I decided to try to make the long drive to Illinois for my Grandma Martin's 90th Birthday Party.  Dad had asked me a few days prior if I wanted to car pool & so I thought about it for a few days & then decided I would try.  I got the time off & worked out some details and rescheduling for the photography business.  Called dad after that was all worked out & he had already bought a plane ticket to fly up.  Alas, I wasn't sure what I was going to do-so I called my mom and asked her if she would drive up with me, and she agreed-we talked Molly into going too!  It was a fun yet exhausting trip!

We arrived in Golden Eagle late Friday evening.  Spent a little time talking to Grandma & a few other family members who stopped by for a squeeze-then off to sleep we tried to go.  I don't think any of us slept well the entire time we were there.  Saturday we spent the entire day with the Haug side of the family.  We had a big cook out and almost everyone was there-all moms sisters & both her brothers were there.  After dinner and it got dark, we had a fire & sat around talking & having a few beers.  Sunday morning we got up and headed to my Aunt Barb's in Godfrey-to hang out with her a bit before grandma's party.

Boy what an emotional mess I was that day.  I just kept crying & couldn't stop myself from all the emotions I was feeling.  It was rather ridiculous actually.  You would have thought I was at a funeral or something.  I wasn't really able to hold myself together-though I tried.  I even cried when I called Billy to tell him how wonderful the party was.  It was great to see my family again, though some times I felt a bit like a stranger.  I wish I would have been able to grow up with these fine folks & really had gotten to know them.

We plan on trying to make another trip in the Summer of 2016 when the kids are out of school.  I can't wait to show them all around the county & let them swim in Aunt Susans & Aunt Barb's pool!