Tennessee & Illinois

What a joyous trip around the family tree! And thank you a billion time to M&D for making it all happen, and especially being able to take Truman. That was a blast. 

Our first stop was Tennessee and it was so great! I wish that we could've stayed longer and had more time to spend with the Perezes. We had a wonderful little picnic and hike and I got to go running and the blessing was beautiful and playing Tichu was the bomb (get it?) and Genevieve and Eliana were the cutest, best girls. 

I clearly did not take enough pictures, but we had such fun! We even had a fun little gift exchange, which was definitely a highlight. 

Illinois was so great. I have loved my previous visits their and the connection I feel to our legacy and such and so I was especially glad to take my boys there so they could get a feel of it. Especially since one of them is Burton!  

Hanging with Minnie in the old house was the best. She is such a hoot!

Dad gave us an even better tour of the property than I had received before. This is a walnut tree he hopes to someday come and make a gun stock out of. 

The Billys at the ponds. 

John on a John

Truman looooved Felix, Minnie's cat. He was a very good, tolerant cat. 

Minnie and Burton! I loved it! And I think she did too. And I think he did too haha kind of. 

Minnie's house was such a great portion of the trip, so priceless. I'm so glad we made it out there with Burton and got to hear so many great stories that if Dad doesn't hurry up and compile into a book I certainly am going to. 

 On our way up to Chicago we stopped at the Lincoln Museum, of course. It was even better than the previous times I have visited. 

Then we got to see Grandpa Chuck and Orowan! That was a definite highlight too, and I think Chuck loved having the boys there. It was cool to hear his stories too, even though i was hoping Truman wouldn't terrorize their house too much the whole time. He didn't, phew! 

What a whirlwind! Mom was a champ traveling with Truman and Burton once again was a champion traveler. What good boys! THANK YOU THANK YOU for a wonderful family history trip, M&D. 

The day after we came home we had the Lamberts and Martha Harding over for lunch and that was also so great! It was fun to see how much Grant and Truman are alike since they share an exact birthday! And it was so great to catch up with Kellie and Zac. They are gems. 

Another great trip! Love Illinois!