Day 2-291 The Grandkids arrive today! Whoop!

     It was very hard to try to rest and run some errands while not getting even more excited about the Grandkids arriving today... We actually did try to take it easy today, but the excitement of the Grandkids arriving kept increasing. We took a bike ride to the train station to buy one week passes for the METRA, and that adventure turned into a nightmare of going up and down many flights of stairs only to find we still were not at the ticket booth. Then on the way home we stopped at the local market for food for during the visit. Then after naps, we left for the train to O'Hare Airport about 2 hours before their scheduled arrival. It was a short walk to the train station, and then one train direct to O'Hare. We arrived about an hour after we left the boat so we had time to find the baggage area and grab a quick dinner.

     After a terse reprimand from the security agent about being too close to the exit door where the passengers emerge, even the agents smiled when they heard shouts of "Grandma, Grandpa" and saw the kids running toward us. The picture at the right shows a blurry Will, Sarah and Jill (Daughter-in-Law) emerging from security. The adventure begins.

     There were hugs all around, and then Bob went off to collect luggage while the rest of us chatted (excitedly). I got plenty of hugs also, but I was the designated photographer so there are no pictures of me. I guess that I should break down and learn how to do "selfies"...

 The picture at the right shows all three Grandkids talking to Grandma at the same time. To say the least it was a very high energy event.

     I will only say this once although it will be obvious many more times that this smile just makes me melt (picture at right). Katie is the youngest at 2 years 5 months, but she has had me wrapped around her little finger for a long time.

     About 15 minutes later, we boarded the METRA train for downtown Chicago. By then it was dark enough that the kids did not see much of the trip, but they were so excited that they never noticed. The picture at the left shows Grandma and Sarah on the trains. Sarah will be 6 in early October and started kindergarten a few days ago. So she has quite an exciting week.

     The last picture (at right) shows a very busy Jill in between Will who will be 5 in December and Katie. We had about a 7 block walk to the hotel from the train. By that time everyone was finally relaxing and as a result, feeling very tired. We said a quick goodbye in the lobby, and we agreed to meet for breakfast on Lucky Us. Then the Admiral and I headed back to Lucky Us where we literally fell into bed.