Trip #1 of our summer vacation marathon.

This summer is the summer of non-stop happenings for us, it seems. For the last two weeks, Thompson and I have been in Chicago. Trevor was there for a week, and is back east now doing research for his thesis. We are home for just a few days, and then are off to Island Park, ID for a big family reunion. And then the cycle of craziness repeats itself, in various forms, until September. 

We spent the first few days in Illinois at my parents house, where Thompson couldn't stop moving for a second. Just having Trevor home for a week would have been pretty fun for him, but add in three uncles (one just back from his mission!) and a 5-year old cousin as play-buddies, and he was constantly wired. 

Oh, and if you ever wonder if your child will stop jumping off the couch when everyone gets tired of catching him and moves away so he knows the game is over, the answer is no. No, he will not stop jumping off. He will jump right off that couch, even though no one is there to catch him. But he will only do that once. 

We also loved getting to meet little baby Samantha, who is such a sweetheart. Thompson would always go give her hugs and kisses, point out her eyes & ears & nose, and would rock her swing or carseat. This was all adorable, but also reminded me why Thompson doesn't have a sibling yet. His adoration was a little intense at times. 

After a few days at my parents house, my whole family took a little vacation to Galena, Il. It is a cute little town in Northwest Illinois. Some might think this is blasphemous to say, but driving and staying there reminded me that maybe, just maybe, there are prettier places than Utah out there (despite what everyone here seems to tell me). 

Some memories of the week: wandering around the adorable shops in downtown Galena and buying the best dipping olive oil ever, Thompson's first alpine slide ride--a view of the Mississippi included, a boys-only golf outing on the windiest and hottest day of the trip, plenty of fireflies, trying/failing to get my stubborn child to smile for family pictures, s'mores & farkle, burgers & shakes at Durty Gurt's, my baby's hair as curly as ever in the humidity, and of course, the most memorable/disastrous family dinner out we have had in a long time.