Chicago with the Rassi family by Jolene

On July 4th we drove up to Chicago.

Me

Philemon

Jerusalem and Jubilee

Johanna

Quartus

I like my face!!!

Manna and Me

I think Jeremiah liked the fireworks too.

Jonas filling up with gas

OOOOOOO

WWWEEE

JUMP

Trying to catch the frisbee

Carl

OOOPPPPSSS!!!!!!!!

Someone threw the frisbee into the tree

Jesse throwing the frisbee

Trying to catch it

Caught it!!!

Me holding Jeremiah

Playing a game in the evening

Carl

Emmaus

Funny Jerusalem

Manna holding Jeremiah

(Some input from Mom!)  Wednesday, July 4th we drove to Chicago in time for a singing at the Rassi’s church.  After the singing we went to their house to change and then went to a Super WalMart parking lot where they have a good view of fireworks in a distant town.  The next day, Chad had business in a neighboring town, so while he and Matthew were gone to work Bridget and I enjoyed a day of fellowship while the children enjoyed playing together.  Chad and Matthew were home for supper and more fellowship.  The following morning the plan was for Chad to take me to the Goodwill a short distance away so I could shop and he would go back and pack up.  When I woke up he informed me that Bridget was in labor, so we packed up together so we could get out quicker.  In case you are wondering, we knew she was expecting when we called about staying with them but didn’t know how soon.  Matthew told Chad it could be any day but we could come anyway and we could have the house if they needed to go to the hospital.  I took the food that required prep work, she made sure to get a nap, and we didn’t stay up late.  Later that day we got an email that Samaria Lois was born.

From the Rassi’s we went to Goodwill and then to the Cantigny museums in Wheaton.  It was a HOT Day!  It took me a long time to cool off after walking around outside.  Sitting in the sun inside the van didn’t help I’m sure.  The children LOVE CiCi’s Pizza and since ours went out we found one in the area to stop at on the way home.

(Looking at a 3D model of the grounds under a glass floor.)

A goofy Picture

A nice picture

Climbing on a tank

Me and Jubilee and Jared

Jubilee and Jonas

Me

Just in case you think that Javan is sweating he is not sweating  he got wet in a fountain.

(LL again)  If you don’t already know the Rassi’s, see if you can find the common thread in their children’s names!

Carl, Manna, Emmaus, Quartus, Philemon, Jerusalem, Theophilus, and Samaria Lois.

At home, our good friend’s John and Misty delivered a sweet baby girl.  Shiloh Psalm was welcomed by Willow, Echo, Talon, Meadow, Arrow, Halo, Anchor, Indigo, and Shepherd.

Another friend had a baby girl that day, but we don’t see them as often so I can’t quote their children’s names.  That makes 3 baby girls on that day!

July is the month for birthdays this year.  John and Heather had a little boy, Jared, on Chad’s birthday – July 1.  Derek and Leann had a baby girl, Lainey Lea, born on Friday, July 27th.  I’m probably forgetting someone, so sorry if I am.  The children said not to forget about Jamie!  We got home from Chicago and found that Jamie had delivered 9 puppies while we were gone.  More on them later!