Doug and Leslie's Trip to the Midwest -- July 2008

Graham Before (4 days old) <-----------------

Graham After (almost 23 months old) in the sandbox at Grand Aunt Barb's at Port Austin, MI ----------->

We left for Chicago Thursday evening and got to Adam and Candace's place in Buffalo Grove, IL late that night. We left after breakfast the next morning and arrived in Port Austin late Friday. Thankfully, Graham is a great little traveler. We stayed in a cabin to rival the one where we stayed in Panguitch, UT many years ago (another story altogether). Anyway, we drove over to Barb's place the next morning and enjoyed a full day of fun, food, and activity with the relatives. Not everyone was able to attend, but we had a nice visit with those who were there. There will, eventually, be a group photo, so I'll post that when it arrives. The relatives were pleased to see Adam again (it's been many years), but were sad no one else could be there. Someday we'll gang up on them!

Cousin Angie (Maloney, Barb's daughter) made a disk of family photos -- some we've never seen! I told her we would add to it, since I have a few of Hattie and Wayne Carrick. She eventually wants to include everyone, so I will send her some of all of us. Eventually we'll all have a copy, which will continue to be a work in progress.

<-- (Douglas, David, Adam Carrick, Eric Staley)

(Aunts Joyce Staley and Barb Neuman, and Graham, just chillin' ) --------------> We left that evening and made it to Grandma Fisher's place. She looks great and is getting around really well. We were so pleased! We visited that night and the next morning, had chili for lunch (surprise!), took a few pictures, then left back for Chicago so Adam could be back at work Monday morning. He joined us this afternoon for some authentic Chicago deep dish pizza, and now we are relaxing until he returns this evening. We'll be home tomorrow (Tuesday) night.