The second to last weekend of July we had a plan to take our favorite weekend trip to Illinois and Indy to see our extended family!

We LOVE these weekend trips, even though they are short for so many miles traveled.

I am getting to be an expert at packing everyone up for our weekends away – which is something to say for a homebody like me!

Of course, we have our essentials that must go on every trip – the things we use the most.

As soon as Blake was home from work that Thursday, we loaded up to head out!

Sad to say our trip did not start off as we hoped!

Thankfully once we jump started the van it was fine – but we do need to replace our battery very soon.

Our travel team was these three cuties!!

We arrived at our hotel in Morton, Illinois at 11 p.m.

We are usually at least one person too many for one room, so we divide into a girls and a boys room.

That means Eliza is my only roommate!

She sleeps through anything, but I still try to do my Bible time quietly in the dark.

Friday ended up being a gorgeous day in Illinois!

As usual, our first stop was with Grandpa and Grandma Nettell!

We had a wonderful visit with them – enjoying lunch – and of course Grandma had ice cream for the kiddos!

As usual, our next stop was to Four30 Scones to meet up with Blake’s Mom.

First we drove by our very first home that we had purchased the year we were married.

It looks exactly the same!

Except there was a tree missing from the front yard.

Four30 Scones did not disappoint – and it never does!

We enjoyed coffee and lemonade treats, and of course scones.

We also surprised Grandma Barb by not telling her Grant and his girlfriend Kamryn were going to meet up with us there!

Before we knew it, it was time to head on to Indy!

It is only three and a half hours from Morton.

We all arrived at our hotel at 10 p.m.

Saturday morning came early thanks to the time change.

We were SO excited to get over to my Mom’s place and see my Mom and brother!

We had a GREAT day with them!!

We went to Meijer – our favorite grocery/everything store – and got ingredients to make lunch.

My brother has traditions with the kiddos that he is SO good about continuing – a summer water fight, ice cream, and Chipotle for dinner each time we are there.

The kids had a blast!!

We thought this was funny as we saw Grant and Lane sitting side by side.

Grant is taller when they are sitting!

Not so much when they are standing!!

SO cute!!

Sunday we headed back to my Mom’s place and spent the morning there before the very long drive home.

It was SUCH a bittersweet time.

I can’t stand leaving there.

I just want all of our family to be right up the road so we can see them EVERYDAY – which is the way I think it should always be.

Before we knew it, it was time to go.

The “until next time” gets harder every time we have to say it.

We drove away with me in the front seat of the van with my hands over my face sobbing.

It was a long nine hour drive, but Blake does such a good job driving on these long trips!

We arrived home right before 7 p.m. Sunday night.

We already have our next date on the calendar, and I CAN’T WAIT to go back!

I LOVE being there SO much!

My Mom’s caretaker had my Mom write notes to Mike and I both.

It is something I will treasure for the rest of my life.

So very grateful for her care, and for my brother and all he does.

I could never say enough thank you’s or I love you’s to make my words have the weight that they should.

Our favorite weekend trip, you did not disappoint!!

Until next time!!