Chicago, But Not

After missing my gypsy parents for the last four months while they travel around The Great Loop in their 45' Ocean Alexander (that's a boat), we decided to pull the kids out of school and join them.  Here is a picture of my kids and my parents taking a quick trip in the dinghy (small boat, towed behind the big boat). 

Of course, it wasn't all fun and games getting to my gypsy parents.  You see, we never know where they are going to be, so planning ahead can be difficult.  We finally determined that we would fly into Chicago's O'Hare Airport - a four hour plane ride.  Wednesday morning we arose at 3:30 IN THE MORNING, and drove to the airport for a 6:07 AM flight. 

The kids were unusually chipper for 5:00 AM at the airport.

Lia and I on the plane.  Darrin and Ben sat two rows ahead of us.

This was the first plane ride the kids have ever been on, and they were SO excited.  I had packed their backpacks full of stuff:  three new books for each of them, V-techs, travel games, our old iPod's loaded with kid movies, toys and snacks.  The kids were awesome the entire time.  When we arrived in Chicago, my parents had set up a car to pick us up and drive us to their spot in the marina - which I didn't know was THREE HOURS AWAY!!! 

My parents gave us a whole list of stuff that they HAD to have
So we packed up, Bruno Peppers, Pepper Plant Sauce,
Four jars of homemade spaghetti sauce and some meds. 



I love iPods for long car rides.  They can't be beat.

 Finally we reached my parents in Saugatuck, Michigan, and boarded the Once Around.  What a beautiful vessel.  Now that the Kimbles are aboard it's quite a bit messier than before we arrived, but still a looker.  Since we arrived, we've gone on dinghy rides, moved the big boat to South Haven, Michigan, spent time at the beach, roamed the little town, fished, struggled through 2nd grade homework, read four princess books and just have enjoyed a darn good time.  Even if we haven't toured Chicago.