ILLINOIS…

Illinois
Written by C.H. Chamberlain
Composed by Archibald Johnston

By thy rivers gently flowing, Illinois, Illinois,
O'er thy prairies verdant growing, Illinois, Illinois,
Comes an echo on the breeze.
Rustling through the leafy trees, and its mellow tones are these, Illinois, Illinois,
And its mellow tones are these, Illinois.

Tribute to Ronald Reagan in Dixon, Illinois (Dale and I visited here while on vacation…)  The statue is located on the banks of Rock River.

“Begins the Trail”…

The Wellman home in Lee Center, IL where our daughter-in-law, Andrea’s grandfather and grandmother use to live along with their family..  The home is currently being restored by Teresa and Jane who live next door (see the next picture).

These homes are right around the corner from ‘Lisa’ (our niece) who also lives in Lee Center with her family..  This home was built in 1862.

Lisa has her hands full with Trey and Trevor…  Trey doesn’t slow down much as you can see from the picture and Trevor plays high school football as a freshman..

The Whitney Mansion was built in 1856 outside of Lee Center and has quite a history per Lisa.  When I have time I’m going to do some research..

Sheila and I visited the ‘Blackhawk’ statue which is located outside Oregon, IL also overlooking Rock River.

Next year Blackhawk will be 100 years old..  I use to think that in the ‘olden days’ visitors could climb a staircase inside the statue and look out Blackhawk’s eyes… but that is just an old rumor.. the statue is hollow inside.

Attended a craft festival at the John Deere Historic Site in Grand Detour, IL… actually we (Sheila, Dale and I) didn’t realize  an entrance fee had to be paid at the front.  We parked along the side and were questioned when we entered ‘unknowingly’ through the back gate.  I guess we were “”gate crashers”” and didn’t know it!!!  Made our way to the front and paid the fee.. what a way to end our Illinois vacation :(

We watched a blacksmith work over a coal fire in this barn.

Visited a museum in Princeville, IL with the Plattner’s.  This old school house was moved across the fields to this spot per Marlene, Plattner.  A local school board meeting was scheduled to be held that evening in this historical building.

The old pail and dipper was the way for the school children of the old days to have a refreshing drink of water…

Our oldest grandson, Jesse, took a seat in the old school house ready for a lesson…

Dale and I totally enjoyed our vacation to our home state:  ILLINOIS!!!  (next post will be of more family we visited)

Vacation FUN in Illinois…special times with Grandchildren!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jubilee enjoying the new play set…

Sunglasses model..  Jonas!!

Farmer Jonas… always on the move!!

Special mud art by Jesse and Javan…

Jolene…speechless…

Jared making his moves on the trampoline…

“Sisters” and “Friends”….

Jesse practices his skating…

 

Jesse is our oldest grandchild.  Seems like only yesterday when he was born but actually it was eleven years ago August 24!!

Javan, the Great breakfast chef, making everyone homemade waffles… Yum!!

Proud parents of baby Johanna…

Proud grandparents of baby Johanna…

This is my first time using Live Writer..still a lot to learn!

Enjoying A Day in Amish Country...

Friday (8/14) enjoyed a day with Marcy, Joan and Marion
in Holmes County. Here we were ALL enjoying the cheese
'taste test' at Heini's Cheese after taking the tour...

The view behind Der Dutchmann restaurant...

Ate a delicious lunch at DerDutchmann and then the

ladies relaxed in the rocking chairs on the porch...

After some shopping we put the convertible top down

and took a ride through the countryside.. I so enjoy the

shaded country roads... and I think Marcy, Joan and

Marion did also. Joan and Marion are from California

and don't see much countryside like this very often...

On our drive we saw a four-horse hitch coming in

from the fields..

Upon arriving home Marcy and her son, Austin, took

a ride on the four-wheeler before having an impromptu

supper of hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill along

with yummy corn-on-the-cob!!

At the end of the evening a big flock of geese flew

over the house... I wasn't able to get them all in the

picture, but it was an impressive sight. You definitely

could HEAR them before you saw them...

It was a great day to be outdoors!!!!

Time Flies with Growing Boys!!

Ben... May 2006... first outing to see Thomas the Engine... I think
Ben preferred his nap time...


Ben... April 2007... enjoyed spending time outdoors...

Nathan... April 2004... Happy and content...

Nathan... April 2006... wasn't this just yesterday??

My 'tree' studio where I enjoy taking everyones picture..

Nathan is really growing up...

Ben didn't want to be left out and posed for me in another part

of the tree... I like the expression on his face here. After pics

in this tree Ben had to 'climb' two more trees for pictures!!

Nathan enjoyed the push I gave him on the tire swing...it's a

little difficult pushing the swing and then grabbing your camera

for a photo... but it must be done!!

While Ben got his ride on the tire swing, Nathan tried to

throw a ball through the moving tire... our children use

to do that when they were growing up...

Nathan pulled one of the flags out of the flower bed, so I told

him if he was going to play with a flag...Grandma Shari had to

take a picture and then we sat and talked for awhile. You

never know what you'll LEARN while talking to Nathan!!

Ben in the last tree he climbed... you have to be fast with the

camera because he's forever moving... I guess that's what

little boys do!!! Ben is quickly growing up!!

The years are swiftly passing...

This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!!

Garlinger's Visit....What FUN!!!

Paul, Patsy and Aaron visited the Riley's this week... We haven't
seen them for three years..but it seemed just like yesterday. We
lived next door to one another for several years in the early 70's!!

Aaron had the MOST FUN riding 4-wheelers... Dale, Mark,
Paul and Aaron had a 4-wheeling adventure and Mark
recorded and shared the movies on a DVD with them.

Garlinger's home on wheels - beautiful accomodations..

Returned from a short ride and ready for supper...after

washing up. Need I say some faces were dirtier than others..

Dale and Mark led the way and Paul and Aaron were the

dust eaters...

Aaron took the 4-wheeler for a spin after supper and Paul

said he'll be talking about 4-wheelers for a long time..

What good friends...come back anytime...3 years is much too long!!!