The Last Days of Our Trip

Story told by: Lainey

We’ve had a great end to our trip to the Midwest!

Once we were back at Grandma and Grandpa’s house in Normal, we took a trip to the Bloomington zoo one morning. I got to ride in Grandpa’s new car! (He has always dreamed of getting a convertible, and now that he’s at an appropriate mid-life-crisis age, he got one!)

Our first stop was to see the wallabies and the wallaroos.

Daddy helped to demonstrated the difference in size between kangaroos, wallaroos, and wallabies. He’s so helpful.

We were in time to see the seal feeding, which was pretty cool!

I had a great vantage point to see the seals.

Next we checked out the parakeet house.

While Brody hung out with Daddy, the rest of us fed the parakeets.

We were told to put our arms out and hold the food so the birds could land on us.

I was a little nervous, but I didn’t drop the food.

This was the best smile I could manage. It says, “I have a love/hate relationship with what’s happening right now.”

Everyone was very proud of me for doing so well with the birds.

Henry was very curious as well, so after awhile I let him use my food cup to feed the birds. With Mommy’s help, he did a great job!

Since he had a harder time holding the cup, we just let the birds eat out of his hand.

Henry’s fishy face with the fishies.

We fed the goats. He practically ate my entire hand, but I did it. (And while this was happening, Henry wandered over to see the ducks, stuck his hand in too far, and one of the ducks bit him. Hopefully that’s a lesson learned.)

After the zoo, we went to Chick-fil-A for lunch. Henry stole Daddy’s tea for a quick drink.

Daddy was very excited for his delicious chicken sandwich!

While Mommy and Daddy took a break (I don’t understand why they need one – we’re delightful children), we went to play on the Chick-fil-A playground with Grandma and Grandpa.

Mommy and Daddy shared a frosted lemonade while Brody looked on longingly.

After we got home, we put together a car track with Grandma and Grandpa. It was somewhat complicated to put the track together, but Grandpa was a champion builder.

Debbie came for a visit that night to see us, and to meet Brody.

She sure spoils us. She brought each of us gifts, which we loved! We adore our time with her!

After bath one night, we got a picture of these cute boys. Mommy and I sure are lucky to have them!

Grandma and I had some special time doing ballerina stickers.

One morning Grandpa made some delicious blueberry pancakes.

Although Brody couldn’t partake in this yummy meal, he cheered Daddy on as he ate his breakfast.

We visited a fun park one morning. Brody hung out in his favorite spot with Mommy while we played.

There were some very tall slides at this park. (I spy Henry. Can you find him?)

I went down the slide and I loved it!

Henry didn’t exactly feel the same way after going down the slide.

Grandma and Grandpa had fun with the slide as well.

My sweet baby brother took a nap while we played.

We got out lots of energy!

Daddy found a comfortable spot for a nap.

But I found him. No rest for you, Daddy!

Once Brody woke up, he and Mommy did some swinging together.

That afternoon Grandma, Mommy, and I went to do some shopping.

In the course of our shopping, Grandma just happened to buy an Elsa dress for me. I LOVE it! Thanks, Grandma!

Shortly after I put on my Elsa dress, Uncle Jar Jar arrived for the weekend. He got to meet Brody for the first time, and Brody seems to love him just as much as we do!

Then Uncle Jar Jar got right to work on playing hide-and-go seek with us. We found his first hiding spot!

So then we decided to hide in the same spot. Even though we were expert hiders, somehow Uncle Jar Jar still found us.

Then I hid behind the pillows, and while Uncle Jar Jar was searching for me, he sat down to take a rest.

And lucky for him, that was my hiding spot!

Uncle Jar Jar snuck in a kiss with Henry.

He also got to spend some fun time with Brody.

Brody also made his way to Grandma…

…and to Grandpa.

I wish we didn’t have to fly home tomorrow because we’ll really miss all of our family here. Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa, for a great trip. I can’t wait to see you for Thanksgiving!!