Peoria, Illinois
Driving the roads in Ohio was so nice. No potholes no huge bumps. It didn’t feel like a roller coaster. The day is bright and sunny. It’s a bit warm and none of us are liking it.👎
Still driving we stopped at a truck stop last night sleep. It was so hot. all this changing weather is really stating to mess with me. Im not sure if should break out winter clothes or keep pout summer clothes. I am really impressed at the the Indiana Welcome Center/Rest Stop because it was so nice and clean. They also have water fountains and vending machines as well as stuff to do in the state.
Calvin has officially annoyed us all. He just keeps talking and talking and talking and talking. The kid would just not stop so we were all so glad he finally went to sleep.
Our friends, Ken and Amy, invited us to go to the youth group worship night at their church and it was a blast. The little boys had so much fun doing the scavenger hunt for their class and Alima and Halim had the most fun doing a relay race with fresh pumpkins on their heads. I have to say it was hilarious when Alima found out that they weren’t totally dry on the inside. I had so much fun teasing her about the goo that was in her hair and she was not impressed. Hahahaha, she acted like she was mad but I know she wasn’t. They all really enjoyed meeting new people and making friends with the other kids there.
We quickly realized that we were going to have to get the kids some warmer jacktets so, we bought the littles puffy jackets and they didn’t take them off all day even though they were inside all day. Hahaha!! Calvin said he looks like a marshmallow. I love it!
Hal went to the Dream Center Peoria to do a podcast about what they do there for the community. I am so excited to see their passion for helping the community around them.
Ken took the kids and I out for a day and he was talking about all the thitgngs that they do for those around him. It was amazing. They painted homes that were in desperate need of new paint and the have barbecues for the community. Ken was saying they have so many people come and that you could feel the community dynamic shift to one of pride and love for others. While Hal was going into the Center it snowed! Not just a little but it was actually snowing! The flakes didn’t end up sticking around though because it was so wet from the rain, which was too bad cause that would have been fun to play in.
We went to Ken and Amy’s for dinner one night and we did a YouTube live from there. It was good to get together with old friends, meet new friends and fellowship with each other. We had sooo much fun.
Amy entertained Calvin by showing him her matchbook collection. It was so sweet.
We had plans to go to Chicago but we then had to change our plans. Hal got sick so, we found something to do and left him at home to get better. The kids, Ken and I went to Tanners Orchard instead and then dinner at their house.
Before that though the kids and I went with Ken and we had a picnic at The Gateway Building along the river in Peoria. Kids had so much fun running around. We didn’t stay long though, it was too cold and windy.
Just be aware that if you sit by Papa Ken during lunchtime that he may try to steal your sandwich , as Calvin quickly found out.
If you don’t share your sandwich with Papa Ken at lunch he might drop you in the tire bridge and you wont be able to get out. Hahahaha! I may have laughed a little to long before we helped him out.
Then we left and went to Tricentennial playground. It is a really cool wooden playground in a neighborhood that Ken and Amy live by.
Ken said he takes all the kids that participate in mission Peoria to the playground and it’s hilarious to see these teenagers playing on the play structure like they’re five.
We had a blast at Tanners Orchard. Stevens favorite part of the day was the trampoline at the orchard.Calvin really liked the little kid train ride. They all rolled down the hill that was there it was hilarious because Steven kept going sideways instead of straight down. Halim really liked the pedal cars. Even Alima had a great time jumping on the trampoline and sliding down the slide that was connected to the combine tractor. Ken told her if she went he would go. And they both went.
We had a blast at Tanners Orchard. Stevens favorite part of the day was the trampoline at the orchard.Calvin really liked the little kid train ride. They all rolled down the hill that was there it was hilarious because Steven kept going sideways instead of straight down. Halim really liked the pedal cars. Even Alima had a great time jumping on the trampoline and sliding down the slide that was connected to the combine tractor. Ken told her if she went he would go. And they both went.
Chicago
We had such a great time walking around the city. Alima was sad she didn’t get to see more places or take more pictures but I’m sure we will be back before too long. I could stay so long just wandering around and snapping pictures of all the buildings and people watching is so much fun too. We saw many photo shoots going as we walked around. It was such a cool day we wore our jackets but we quickly took them off as the weather warmed up.
We went to looking around Chicago and the only thing Calvin wanted to do was go to the playground. So, we found the most wonderful one we have been to yet. It’s called Maggie Daley Park. This park was super cool because it was huge but it was also cool because the areas are broken up in age groups. The kids played so hard. We found this part of the playground that all ages could go on and it was 3 stories high. There were kids running all over and having so much fun. I would not take my crazy kids by myself as there is sooo much going on but thankfully I had the older kids to help with the littles. I think, even though she may not want to admit it, Alima had a great time too.
As we were at the park a woman saw hal with his gigantic camera and asked him about it which then turned into a great conversation. Parmita is a lifestyle photographer with an amazing skill. It’s funny how you can meet amazing people living the Rv life, that you would normally never be introduced to. he was so nice to speak to and you should check her work out over on all her social media pages and website. The link is below.
We went to our favorite place to eat in Chicago. It’s Yolk South Loop.This is the one place we really wanted he kids to experience. Hal had gone to the National Restaurant Associations food show for several years and this year was the only time that Alima could have gone and because Hal wasn’t going to the show Alima missed out but we had a plan. So, we took her. I think that the boys enjoyed the food more than almost everybody else. Hahaha!
We also went to Cloudgate and The Bean. The little boys were not impressed but I loved getting pics of Alima getting doggie piled by them! So many people asked Alima to get pictures of them and their friends, it was so sweet.
If you’re in Chicago this is something every tourist is supposed to do, so I think you should too. We had a great time getting silly photos in The Bean, unfortunately there are so many people its hard to get a good shot.
The boys wanted a picture with one of the dogs so bad so as we were leaving we found this guy and took a pic with him.
These dogs were the coolest art installment in Chicago. It’s called “K9’s For Cops”. It was created “As a tribute to the important work the Chicago Police Department’s Canine Unit dogs perform every day, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation is launching the Chicago K9s for Cops public art campaign. The campaign was conceived to memorialize our city’s heroes while supporting the families of police officers that have been killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty.” from Chicago K9’s For Cops website
Well, our last day here with our friends again is bittersweet. I love my friends and I really love visiting with them and reconnecting but then we have to say good bye for now and it makes me sad. This has been so much fun that I don’t want it to end. Ken and Amy have been great hosts here and it was so nice to visit and hang out with Josh and Caitlyn as well. But go we must, so on we go to Arizona.
we have a winner
So for all of you wondering what I can make in my teeny tiny oven well let me just tell you after this dinner I think I can make just about anything. For dinner Alima and I made Chicken Cordon Blu and it was mighty tasty. It was all gone and everyone asked for me to make it again!
we have a few more mea;s
What did you make now? You may ask. Well friends, Hal and I made an amazing stew, and yet again, they wanted me to make it again!
It is fall and the weather is turning colder so what could be better than warm comfort food and some coffee? I can tell you! You add cookies to it!! I made these awesome little Oatmeal Chocolate chip babies!I had to refrain myself from eating them all but for the good of others I was able to succeed. I can tell you that some of the batter may or may have been eaten and I possibly licked the spoon, ok there is no may or may not have’s about it, I did I did it and don’t regret a thing. Hahaha.
Park Review
Super great WiFi, restrooms look clean they just need to be updated. Park looks clean. Spots are decent sized. laundry was 1.50 to wash and dry. The laundry room was very clean but only had 2 washing machine and 2 dryers.
Where we went
Chicago