Vacation...Sort of

We had been planning a summer roadtrip for several months. We would go visit my mom in Illinois for a few days, and then meet up with my dad and stepmom in Michigan for a whirlwind tour of the state (Kyle had never been). I was super excited for several reasons: 1. I love to travel. 2. I love my family and was looking forward to spending time with them. 3. We were going to stay in a hotel for several nights and well...I like that!!

We left on the 2nd and made it up to my mom's house on the evening of the 3rd. In the early morning on the 4th of July we received a phone call from Kyle's brother that his mom had passed away that morning. Kyle was, of course, upset and heartbroken. His brothers encouraged us to sit tight at my mom's house...with the holiday weekend it would take a few days to make funeral arrangements. So we decided to stay put and try to enjoy our time in Illinois. We stayed through the weekend and left for Kyle's hometown on Monday morning. More on that later, here are some pictures of our weekend in Illinois.
Addison on the 4th of July.



The cake I made.



Us in downtown Chicago at "The Taste of Chicago" Lots of people and good food...mostly lots of people, though!
My mom and stepdad, Steve (who hates crowds, but was a trooper for us!!).

Addison and cousin Aidan finally getting out of their strollers and walking in the park.


Addison wandering/dancing/twirling in her Sunday dress at a park...she was stretching her legs while we were resting ours.
More wandering/dancing/twirling...
This kid's got a future in some kind of performing arts...

Really beautiful "oak leaf hydrangea" This photo doesn't do this plant justice...it was just exquisite.