Road Trip to Chicago - PART 1

During the last weekend in June my parents, Ella and I decided to drive up to Chicago to visit family. (My cousin's baby shower was that weekend so that gave us a really good reason to go.) Scott wasn't able to join us because he had to go back to Florida for football.
Other than spending WAY TOO MUCH TIME IN THE CAR we had a great time visiting with both my mom's side of the family and my dad's side, and Ella got to see tons of people she had never met before. I'm splitting this post into 2 parts, one for each side of the family so it doesn't get too terribly long :)

First of all, in Tennessee, there are tons of huge fireworks stores. This is only a big deal because I guess 40+ years ago my parents were in Kentucky for a big family reunion on my mom's side and decided to drive to Tennessee to buy some fireworks. They took my Aunt Gogi with them on this excursion and as I've been told, they left early in the morning, got lost, drove all around the state of Tennessee, and finally got back to Kentucky late that night without ever finding the fireworks. Aunt Gogi - this photo is for you! :)The first night we stayed at my mom's sister Shirley's house and the next day she had some of the family over so we could visit with them.

Ella became close with my Aunt Shirley very quickly. She helped make whipped cream and then put it on top of our yummy dessert!

Ella was spinning Aunt Shirley in the chair after she insisted on covering her up with a blanket! I also have pictures of Shirley spinning Ella in the chair, but this one is much better :)

Ella with cousins - Ashley & Rachel

My mom with her siblings that live in Illinois- in order - Shirley, my mom, Gil, Vi.