We'll travel around the world

Well, not really the world, just the midwest (but I have this song from one of Paddy's toys stuck in my head...we'll travel around the world, what animals will we see...)

Anyway, we've returned from our great midwestern adventure. Paddy and I took a trip to Chicago to celebrate Grandpa Frank's birthday. I decided to take the train home instead of driving by myself. It seemed like a brilliant idea. The car trip is just over 6 hours, the train trip is just under 8. I figured the train gave us a little more freedom to walk around, see things, and generally not have Paddy stuck in his carseat. I should have driven.

When we arrived at the train station at 7:20 for our 7:50 train, we picked up our ticket, checked our suitcase and got settled in the waiting area. Exactly 1 minute later they announced that the train was delayed getting in by 40 minutes - no biggie. Then they announced that we would be rerouted due to the flooding in Wisconsin (seriously, who ever thought Wisconsin would flood???). Okay, how bad could that be? We were to make no stops between Minneapolis and Chicago in theory making the trip shorter. Wrongo. We boarded the train, got situated and then the fun began.

After leaving Minneapolis at 9am, we traveled south for 15 minutes, when we promptly stopped and sat on the tracks, not moving a single inch, for 1 hour and 5 minutes. What were we doing you ask - we were waiting for all the freight trains to go by. Since we were not on the Amtrak railroad tracks, our train had to give the right of way to any freight trains. There are a lot of freight trains out there in case you were wondering. We had two one hour stops, one half hour stop, and several shorter stops along the way.

All told we were on the train for 11 hours. We were supposed to arrive in Chicago's Union station at 3:55pm. We arrived at 8:05pm. But the fun did not end there. Oh no. I disembarked the train with Paddy in strapped to my chest, the car seat in one hand and our bag of fun for the train in the other. Our car was the last car on the train - the last of 20 cars. Of course, you have to walk the length of the train to get into the station and no one can come and meet you to help you until you get into the station. So Paddy and I trudged what felt like 26.2 miles to the station. I think I lost about 8 lbs of sweat along the walk.

Fortunately, my Mom was there to meet us. We picked up our suitcase from baggage claim and trudged the rest of the way through the station to the fresh air where Matt and Teresa were waiting for us in their fancy pants new car.

You're thinking the story ends now, aren't you? No way!

We spent a very nice several days in Elmhurst. We were able to see Grandpa Frank and Granny Char twice. We celebrated Grandpa's birthday with Sliders and Cake -which Paddy loved. We were able to see Uncle Patrick, Aunt Kristin, Aidan, Mia and Audrey as well as Uncle Bill and Grandma Mary. I was able to go to the White Sox game with Patrick, Kristin, Aidan, Mia and my Dad (White Sox Winner!) Paddy was also able to visit with Sandra; chase Matt and Teresa's cat Sopia; and meet my friend Molly for the first time. He was very sad to miss Jimmy Friday's going away party, but he's not quite old enough for the bar.

Paddy, Grandma, Grandpa and I also visited Lake Geneva where Paddy got to go on his first boat ride. He did not like the life jacket one bit. He did however like having grapefruit for breakfast with Grandpa.

Our trip continued by heading to Milwaukee for More Mema and More Papa's (great grandma and great grandpa Foy) 60th wedding anniversary. It was quite a party. All 11 of the Foy siblings were in attendance. 20.5 (I'm giving the life size photo of Joey 1/2 credit for attendance) of the 23 grandchildren and all 4 great grandchildren made the trip. We had a great time visiting with everyone.

And then we embarked on the final leg of our midwestern adventure. Remember that part pages ago about Wisconsin being flooded? Yep, still flooded. We had to travel across Wisconsin by car to get to St. Paul. Unfortunately parts of 94 were closed due to the flooding. So we had to travel north to Oshkosh and then head west Tomah, were we finally caught 94 and headed home. Our normally 4:45 trip took us a little over 6 hours.

But we made it. Grandma spent 3 days with us in St. Paul. She always accomplishes more in 3 days than I do in the entire year. Our upstairs bathroom is painted. Our garage has been cleaned and swept. The bonus room has been striped of its wallpaper (we're still working on the glue, but we'll get it done or hope that grandma comes back real soon). Every single piece of clothing, towel, napkin, and cloth in our house has been washed and folded and all the food in our fridge that was in containers has been labled and dated.

We're home for one more day, and then we're off for a Foy Family vacation to Three Bears Lodge. Paddy can't wait to spend time with his cousins, aunts, uncle, Mema and Papa.

Here are a few pictures from our trip...

Visiting with Grandpa Frank

Grapefruit with Grandpa

On the boat

Rollie, Grace and Paddy