Springfield Trip - Lincoln's Tomb

We got to Lincoln's tomb and were disappointed to learn they were still redoing the floor on the upper level (they had been doing this 2 years ago when Bret brought Ashley) and that we wouldn't be able to go up there.

The kids rub Lincoln's nose for luck.

Inside the entrance of the tomb.

I had been here back in 8th grade, but didn't remember this part of the tomb. When we walked in here, it felt very strange to me - like we were intruding and didn't belong here - especially taking pictures. Obviously that didn't stop us, though.

After leaving the tomb, we got lost for awhile trying to find the War Memorials. The cemetary is very large.

The kids in front of the Illinois Vietnam Veteran's Memorial.

The World War II Memorial.

And what is it with Ryan always having to go when there is NO bathroom around?!

The Korean War Memorial.

One more post to go - New Salem Village.

Springfield Trip - New State Capital Building

This morning when we woke up we had forgotten all about the time change. So instead of it being 6:30am when we rolled out of bed to get ready to find some breakfast, it was actually 5:30am. Ouch.

She'll probably kill me for posting this picture, but I couldn't resist.

After eating breakfast, we drove over to the Capital Building to find that we were an hour early for the next tour, so we killed some time taking pictures.

This may be my favorite picture from the whole weekend, even if he didn't want to pose for it.

Once we had successfully frozen our behinds off outside, we went into the capital building to wait for the next tour. To keep Ryan from getting too bored, we let him take pictures - many that had to be deleted. This is just a couple of them.

Most of our pictures from inside the building didn't turn out because we didn't realize that the flash was turned off. Here are the kids in front of the Governor's office.

A quick pic before heading back to the car.

I'm not done yet so check back for Lincoln's Tomb and New Salem Village. I will get these done today if it kills me so that I can move on...

Springfield Trip - Lincoln Museum & Our Hotel

After eating lunch and visiting the Old State Capital building, we walked up a few blocks to the new Lincoln Museum. It was very impressive. I've never seen something so true to life before. We weren't allowed to take pictures of the really good stuff due to copyright laws, but trust me - they were amazing. In the Early Years exhibit, there was a replica of a general tearing slave parents away from their child. In the White House Years, there was a room set up as their child's bedroom. Inside the room, Mary Todd Lincoln was sitting on her son's bedside the night he passed away while Lincoln himself was standing in the doorway. Another room was set up as the White House after Lincoln's assassination when his coffin was lying in state before it's journey back to Springfield. It truly felt like we were there. I highly recommend visiting this museum!

The kids hanging out with the Lincoln's.

The entrance to the White House Year's exhibit.

The entrance to the Early Years exhibit. You enter through the cabin where Lincoln grew up in as a boy. You see him reading by the fire while one of his parent's are lying in bed.

Me, taking a break while Ryan plays in Mary Todd's Attic.

Ryan playing with a true to life replica of Lincoln's home.

One of Ryan's favorite part of the Museum - the soldiers in front of the White House.

For the life of me, I can't remember who this was behind Ashley.

The kids outside of the Museum before heading to our hotel.

Our hotel. I've never slept in a more comfortable hotel bed before in my life. The pool was a lot of fun, too.

Ryan reenacting the Civil War with his souvenir toy from the Museum.

Still at it the next morning before check out.

Up next - the new State Capital Building and Lincoln's Tomb.

Am I boring you yet?

Springfield Trip - Old State Capital Building

After leaving Lincoln's home, we found a place to eat lunch and then walked over to the Old State Capital building. It was really sunny outside, so not many of our outdoor pictures turned out well.

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Here are the kids in front of the Old State Capital building...

...and again on the staircase inside the building.

We walked around a little bit, admiring how beautiful the building is. I had never been in there before.

Kind of a little guy, wasn't he?

When we were done looking around the Old State Capital Buidling, we walked a few blocks up to the new Lincoln Museum.

More on that later...

I realize this may be a bit boring and way too detailed for some of you, and I do apologize, but I'm doing this more to preserve the memory of a great weekend spent with my family. (Which means I better figure out a way to back this blog up to a disc or something!)

Springfield Trip - Lincoln's Home

Last Saturday morning, we woke up bright and early to get an early start on our little weekend away in Springfield, IL. Ryan has been learing all about the presidents in school and has been asking endless questions about Abe Lincoln, so we decided a trip to the land of Lincoln was in order. Our first stop in Springfield was to Lincoln's Home, where he lived for seventeen years until he was elected President. (Didn't know you'd be getting a little history lesson here, did you?)

Us, standing in front of Lincoln's home.

The kids in front of Lincoln's home.

Bret, Ryan and Ashley standing in front of the doorway to Lincoln's living room.

Ashley in Lincoln's Bedroom.

This was Mary Todd Lincoln's bedroom. We were told that since they didn't have indoor bathrooms, she had a room of her own where she could go for privacy. The decor in here was so visually disturbing that I began getting really dizzy and thought I might pass out. Seriously. I couldn't get out of that room fast enough. Click on the picture to enlarge it and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Once the inside tour was over, we headed out to the backyard where the kids got to see the outdoor bathroom. Ryan was amazed that he was looking at the toilet where Abe Lincoln sat many years ago.

You know what's coming don't you? Of course you do! How can you go to Lincoln's home and not take a picture of the pot he sat on?



Which brings us to Ryan. What happens everytime you take him somewhere that doesn't have a bathroom? Yes, he tells you he has to go potty. Bret had to take him around back to the ally behind the house so he could relieve himself. So there you have it. Ryan peed behind Lincoln's house.

After visiting Lincoln's home, we wandered around the preserved neighborhood looking at other houses and taking lots of pictures. Here's one of the kids standing in the middle of the street.

Up next... the Old State Capital building and the new Lincoln Museum.

A Little Pushy, Are We?

"And still waiting....what have you been doing all day?"

Yes, I realize I've neglected this blog this week. I've been pretty busy with the PTO fundraiser and now that it seems to have slowed down a bit until after Christmas, I'm trying to get my life and house back in order. You all know how I am about that.

So what has taken me so long to get pictures of our weekend in Springfield up? The fact that we took over 400 pictures! Of what, I'm not sure - but I just haven't had time to sit down and go through them and figure out which ones I want to post and then resize them.

I also want everyone to know that I really tried my hardest to wait until after Thanksgiving to put my fall decorations away, but I couldn't hold out any longer. Everyone always teases me because I always have my Fall & Christmas stuff out way early and then have it packed away the day after Halloween and Christmas. My house was screaming, "I'm cluttered!" and I just wanted some normalcy before the Christmas stuff comes out. I will try to hold out until after Thanksgiving this year to put up the tree in hopes of being able to wait until New Year's to take it down, like most normal people. We'll see...

Until then, here's a picture of the kids in Springfield to tide you over. I promise to get more up tomorrow.

Coming Up...

Pictures from our weekend in Springfield. Ryan has been on a Abe Lincoln kick, so what perfect timing, right?

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But first I have to get through running my first PTO meeting tonight for the school's carnival that's in February. I am so ready to start the delagating process of this! How about you, Teri?

Dragging

We're all dragging over here this morning. It could be the over abundance of sugar consumed last night or just the pure exhaustion of the whole night. Or both. After my last post last night, Bret and the kids came home after trick or treating the whole entire neighborhood and we headed out to do our trick or treating to family and friends. Our last stop before taking Danielle home was at Grandma and Grandpa's house. By the time we left, Ashley and Danielle were bouncing off the walls and Ryan was almost comatose. Good times, though it's hard to believe Halloween is over.

Halloween 2007

Halloween just may be the most stressful holiday yet. I'm just saying. Seriously, though. Anyone who tells you that getting their kids and husband dressed up in their costumes, fed dinner, their meeting time with the neighbor established, pictures taken and then finally out the door isn't the least bit stressful - is lying. However, when you see how excited they are and how cute they look (especially when wearing an authentic jersey), it all becomes worth it. That and the silence they leave behind in the house once they're on their merry way.

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Bret and Ryan waiting for the girls to finish getting ready.

Ashley, Danielle and Ryan posing for an obligatory photo (or 15).

Have to have a photo they can put in their lockers. (I told you their costumes were pretty good.)

All set and ready to go.

Happy Halloween!