Illinois Visit - first 2 days

This summer we took a trip to the midwest to visit Grandpa Ruben, Lola Amelia, Tito Nick, and Tito Nathaniel and Tita Maria as well as other Abalos relatives.

Ellie was very hesitant about going to Illinois because she new that tornadoes can happen there from time to time.  Well we got her on a plane and made it to Illinois.  After being there for a few hours we sat through a big thunder and lightning storm.  The wind was kind of crazy, the lightning and thunder was close and LOUD.  Ellie was a little freaked out.  We told Ellie there was nothing to worry about and that if there was going to be a tornado then there would be a hug siren to let us know it's coming.  Well, there turned out to be lots of sirens and Ellie freaked a little wondering if that was "the siren".  We assured her it wasn't.  For a minute or two I wondered if we were going to turn out to be liars by telling her there was no way a tornado would happen while we were there.  I sent texts to Kelly "what if there ends up being a tornado?  she'll never believe us"

 Later after the storm we headed over to my cousin Gaylin's house.  One the way there we saw numerous trees down and some pulled up out of the ground.  The power was out in several places.  The stormed turned out to be quite a bad one.  

Tito Nick and the "quarter Asian" cousins: Ellie, Jude & Ethan 

The second day after arriving we headed over to St. Louis and visited the City Museum.

This place was AMAZING! We have never seen anything like it.  It's difficult to describe its uniqueness, but I will try.

It was in a 10 story building and it's premise is that it's made mostly of recycled/reused materials.  The museum part consisted of 4 floors and then the rooftop.

The first floor had this cool place called the caves.  Within it there were lots of man-made caves to explore full of tunnels of all kinds of sizes.  With some you had to be tiny like Ellie to fit in.  Many of the caves were extremely dark.  There were also a bunch of tunnels made with a bunch of metal bars.  They wove all around the floor in a maze-like structure.  We all had a blast meandering our way through it.

Ellie even got Grandpa Ruben to crawl through the tunnels

On the roof top there was an old bus that hangs over the edge of the building.  You can go inside and get a feel of what it might be like to drive off the edge.

The interior of the building was full of interesting materials.  The walls, floors, ceilings were all made from a variety of re-used materials.  Every time we turned around we were noticing something out of the ordinary.

Glass bottle wall

Roof top experience

Look closely, Ethan up in the top of the dome cage

Many places here tested one's fear of heights

another feature on the rooftop

We had to take a ride on the ferris wheel, even us two scaredy cats of heights

But it made for a great view of the city

Ellie had fun on these "floating" blocks.  Every few minutes the fountains would begin spraying, which wasn't bad on this extremely hot and HUMID day.

rooftop view of the bus

The outside area down below was full of even more places to explore

A part of a castle

where you could climb to the top

and then down to the dungeon

so MANY slides.  There was even one that started on the rooftop and went down 10 floors.  Ethan said it was great. 

The City Museum was a truly unique place to visit.  It is definitely a must see in St. Louis and a place we would love to visit and explore again.  

4th of July Weekend --->Stanley

I love the 4th of July and all that goes with it.

This year we were able to watch the Logan fireworks and go to one of our favorite places.

Friday night we sat on the usual hill, played games, found our friends, and waited until the Freedom Fireworks began.

Dad tried to nap while waiting

When the fireworks began Ellie was prepared with her earmuffs to cut down the sound.

As always we were treated to an amazing display of fireworks.

The next morning we headed up to Stanley.  Of course we stopped at Galena Summit to take in the beauty and take our annual picture.

GQ

With the house being up for sale, we went on this on this trip not knowing if this would be the last time we'd get to stay at the Stanley House.  We were so lucky to have the Adams Cousins and the Harper Cousins be up there at the same time.

Ellie getting acquainted with the bear that needed to be brought home this trip.

Cousin Fun with Snap Chat

Look at these cute siblings/cousins

Strikin'-a-Pose

Heading down to town

Checking out Grandpa's building

Cousins

Stanley Sunset

Beautiful Sawtooth Mountains

Mountain handstand

Kelly and I headed up toward Goat Falls for a 4th of July morning trail run

Goat Falls

Goat Falls

 

View looking toward Stanley - look closely you can see it

Talented Aunt Marie helped us with the displays of patriotism by painting everyone's face 

Aunt Kim brought her new baby --Piper

Ellie is in puppy LOVE with Piper

older cousins 

All day the kids were so excited for it to be time for the parade.  When it was finally time we grabbed bags (for candy) and headed down to town.

  

Ellie was excited for the parade and especially for getting candy, but she was not at all fond of the sirens and other loud noises that came along.

The parade consisted dogs, old cars, candy and lots of water guns and water trucks with hoses.  Needless to say everyone got a soaking finale.  

Lots of water always means lots of smiles.

Aubrey and Ellie got a hold of the phone/camera

Another beautiful sunset

Last day in Stanley and everyone got treated some amazing face painting from Aunt Maria

Cutest Butterflies.  Ellie was so sad to say goodbye to her cousins, especially Ava.

Selfie time with the Best Sister in-laws ever

Group cousin picture

We had such a great weekend in Stanley.  We just love our family and were so glad to spend it with siblings, cousins and grandparents.  We will sure miss this house and will treasure SO MANY wonderful memories that have been made here over many years.