Saturday, July 30, 2011

Vacation part 5: Train Travel

Anika was so sad to leave Grandma & Grandpa that she had to have a picture to take with on the train. Yes, the TRAIN!!! We took Amtrak home from IL to CA - a 40+ hour trip. It was an adventure and not without its moments of insanity but overall I prefer it to air travel hands down.

Watching the trains come in:


Waiting at the station -- lots of waiting with train travel since they don't own the rails, they have to give right of way to freight trains. We were about 1 1/2 hours late leaving.

Still smiling:







On the platform as the train pulls in:

Our home for the next two days! One of my biggest concerns way having power (to recharge cell phones, laptops, etc. but each row had two outlets so we had plenty!!!) Here the three kids share two of the seats -- there was SO much room :-):
Day Two: Playing games, coloring and watching the amazing scenery in the observation car.



Denver, CO









No pictures of the dining car. We learned the hard way that the dinner hour get REALLY late since the sleeper car costumers get first reservations. We were on "last call" and our very tired and cranky kids weren't very interested in dinner at 9:30pm. In the future, we will have our dining car meal at breakfast or lunch NOT dinner! That being said, our breakfast the next day was wonderful and fun - now we know and so do you:-)


Donner Lake in California. Almost home!!!!


Near the center of this pictrue is a bald eagle sitting by his nest - you can't see the Mommy and baby but the conductor shared that they have been watching this family all season - so cool!

Vacation part 4: Morrison time

Time at Grandma & Grandpa's house always has to include cousins, costumes, tea parties, Wii time, outdoor adventures with Grandpa, and a movie on the big screen. This year was no different.!








Vacation part 3: A boat ride

One afternoon, Dad rented a tritoon boat for us to cruise around the lake. Everyone had a great time rocking to the tunes, driving with Grandpa, finding a cove and cooling off with a jump in the lake, and taking in the amazing houses and views.















Karissa & Ian give Big Mable a workout:

Hilary's boy take a nap while she and Jason try to "outdo" each other on Big Mable:



Vacation part 2: Life at the Lake

In the heat (100+ degrees) and humidity (90%, well it felt like it) that was MO this week, we just got wet and stayed wet. From the morning dip in the lake to a refresh splash in the pool, we weren't dry very much. And that was pretty much perfect for my kids!



pick a pair, any pair. . .

Hilary is sporting the "lake look":


Alethea and Anika were "literally" inseparable:


Heather Lynn:

Mom:



Heading down to the dock - to fish, float, or jet ski:

Big Mable=FUN

All together again:


Alethea & Anika (under the direction of Karissa) performed a dance one night.

Then Hil & J lead the kids in a round of "Minute to Win It" then the adults did a "Wheel of Fortune" game that Hil created:



The boys blew plastic bowls across the floor (Andrew looks weepy because he was overcoming a bout of frustration when he couldn't get the bowl to move -- a great life lesson was learned, I hope!):

Anika & Alethea scoop up popcorn while blindfolded:


Karissa and Ian had to try and get the cookie from their foreheads to their mouths without using their hands:




SuperMario jammies men + Kat:



Another wonderful day is done: