Visiting Family in Illinois

This past week my dad, Keaton and I went to Illinois.  My mom was from there and most of her family still lives there.  One of my mom's wishes was to have some of her ashes spread on the farm that she grew up on so that was the main purpose of the trip.  I wasn't looking forward to it and knew that it would be hard seeing all of her family without her there.  We did a very nice, casual ceremony with the family and spent some time remembering what an amazing person she was. 

Even though you can't pick your family, if I could I would pick the ones I have.  I feel so blessed to have such a large and loving family.  My dad comes from a family of 9 children and my mom 7.  And all of them have kids so I have lots and lots of cousins!  Even though lots of them live far away and I barely ever see them, when I do there is that family connection that can never be replaced.  Keaton comes from a much smaller family but already has lots of extra aunts, uncles and even an extra grandma next door!  I am fortunate to have many life long friends that have become family to me and my family.  At the end of the day, family is the most valuable thing you have in your life!

Even though I didn't know if this trip would be fun, we did manage to have some which is what my mom would have wanted.

Here we are at the Michigan dunes.  The trip to Michigan got Keaton to 11 states by age 8 months. He has been to: Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Alaska, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.  Sadly, he won't remember any of it! 

Keaton having some fun on a horse at our stop to a store to buy him some new pants since he had a little accident.  Looks like Keaton also enjoys fast cars like his dad!

The farm my mom grew up on and the house she grew up in. My uncle Bob still does all the farming on it. 

A pretty cute Boston Terrier pup that I found in the mall...I don't think Manny would have been very happy with that souvenir!

Here are some pics of those great relatives...

When life gives you lemons....feed them to Keaton! We discovered he loves lemons...I also discovered after-the-fact that he isn't suppose to have citrus until after 1 year...oops!