Summer Travels

We've traveled to quite a few places this summer.  I am going to write them down before I forget.  Hopefully I can add some pictures later.

July 3
We travelled to Sparta, MI.  A very tough trip because it meant we left our home in Grayslake, IL for the last time.  We said goodbye to some very dear neighbourhood friends.

July 9 -12
The kids and I drove from Sparta, MI to Indianopolis.  Here we picked up one of my besets friends, Wendy Sue and her two children.  They actually flew in from So Cal.  We then continued traveling to Hendersonville, TN which is just outside of Nashville.  My other bestest friend, Julie and her family live there.  We enjoyed some amazing time as girlfriends along with our kiddos (six altogether ages 3,4,5,6,7, and 8).

July 14 -17
Just the five us went up to Harbor Village, MI for family vacation.  It was so wonderful to sleep in, play UNO, swim in the pool, hang out on the beautiful beaches, watch some amazing sunsets, and even have dinner in Mackinac City one night.

July 18 - 22
We needed to be in Virginia for training on the 22nd so we decided to make a trip out of it.  Poor Kevin, he fell ill the first day.  I mean, really sick with fever and everything else.  So at each stop he basically stayed in the hotel room sleeping while the kids and I explored.  
Thursday 18
The first night stop was in Canton, OH, home of the Football Hall of Fame.
Friday 19
We traveled to Gettysburg, PA.  It was a gorgeous drive with lots and lots of hills.  We also drove through two major thunderstorms.  Some of the most torrential rain I've ever driven through.
Saturday 20
That morning I took the kids on the driving tour of Gettysburg which allowed for us to make our own stops at monuments, talk about the importance of what we were viewing, and not have to see everything.  Remember, we have a three year old.:)  Then that afternoon we all headed on to Washington D.C.  The weather was sooooo hot.  100 degrees and humid.  Our first stop was Arlington National Cemetery.  Kevin actually came with us and ended up being the only one to make it to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  I've been before and it really was just too long and hot of a walk for the kids.
Sunday 21
Kevin still was not feeling well.  I took the kids to Capitol Hill Baptist Church.  Then after naps I took them to the Museum of Air and Space.  The kids really enjoyed this museum, especially Isaiah.  After dinner, Kevin was feeling somewhat better so we all went to the Washington Monument, Lincoln Monument and the Vietnam War Memorial.  So moving.
Monday 22
We arrived in Virginia for our two months of training.

July 27
We swam in the Atlantic Ocean as well as experienced Virginia Beach.  Wow!  I have never seen such a crowded beach.  The day was cut short when the lifeguards blew their whistles and cleared the beach due to a thunderstorm and lightening.  On the way home we drove through Williamsburg, VA.  One of the oldest cities in the U.S.

August 31
We visited the Richmond Botanical Gardens.  Oh what a treasure.  There was a butterfly exhibit which the kids thoroughly enjoyed as well a most wonderful children's area.  This area had so many things to explore and use their imagination.  A special treat was their water splash park area.  So much fun!!

September 7
We visited Monticello, the home and land of Thomas Jefferson.  It is nestled in the hills of Virginia.  Such a gorgeous drive.  The kids really enjoyed the hands on museum.  On the way home we followed a sign to an apple orchard.  What a find!  This apple orchard sat a top a mountain with a 360degree view of the area.  We didnt' do any apple picking that day but we did buy two apple pies that were still warm from the oven as well as hot and fresh cider donuts.  YUM!

September 19
We began our drive back to Sparta, MI.

September 20
We purposefully got off the main highway and drove through some small towns that took us to Amish country.  It was educational for the kids to see men driving horse buggies.  We stopped at a farm stand and purchased some molasses cookies.
That night we stopped in Ann Arbor, MI.  Home of the University of Michigan.  Such a great college town.  We ate at a great little pizza parlor, enjoyed some delicious frozen yoghurt and drove by the BIG HOUSE.  Kevin was in heaven.:)

Such a great summer.  Lots of traveling but so much learning.
Of course, we've got some more traveling ahead of us next week and without a doubt that will bring some amazing learning experiences.