Danica Rose's Garden: Illinois trip

So after work on Thursday, Sept 11th we left for Illinois but first we had to finish packing, meet up w/ John's Mom, and drop the car off at the shop. So about 9pm we got headed up there. We (they) drove all night, with the time change it was about 8 am when we got there. Dani slept most of the way, she traveled soooo well, here's a pic of how happy she was when we got there.

First stop, Candi's house. Everybody was there! Ready for roll call? There was John's cousin Candi, her husband Matt, their baby Logan, John's cousin Shawn, his wife Brandy, their youngest Lil Shawn, John's uncle Darryl, his new wife Joyce, her son Jason, Darryl's son Al, Darryl's daughter Shelly, her youngest Chase, John's Aunt Bea (Mom's twin) and Grandma. (I think that's everybody.) Dani was great about playing with the other babies. The first thing she did was try to steal Chase's paci on a string...twice.

Kissing cousins

Mom went to work w/ Bea and the rest of us went over to Shawn's house to hang out. That was Friday. Saturday was Grandma's birthday party at the park. Lots of family and pictures and kids playing. And yes, I include John in the kids playing. Honestly, I don't know names or relationships for half the family that was there. I kept trying to figure out who's family and who are the bingo ladies???

First is my FAVE pic of Logan

And since I finally put shoes on Dani I had to take a pic to prove it

And the one I took of me and Big Shawn (I love you Bub!)

Kids will be kids...even when the kid is actually an adult

That day some of my favorite Danica pictures were taken, be prepared, there are several.

Sunday we left Shawn's in the morning and headed to Mt. Vernon to see Rosie, Roger, and Amanda. Rosie took care of John and Tim when they were little and is the inspiration for Dani's middle name. Roger is her son and Amanda (whose middle name is also Rose) is his daughter. Even though there's no common blood these people are as much a part of our family as those who are actually related.

The first time I met Roger and Amanda they were wrestling and play fighting the whole time. Good to see they've both grown up so much.

See the green carpet in the next picture? There have been many children on that carpet. Little Roger, Little Tim, Little John, Little Amanda, and now Little Danica :)

That evening we headed home. It took 2 hours longer to get home than it did to get up there because all the gas stations in Georgia either had no gas or no power. But even with the extra time Dani was still a great traveler and a happy girl.