Although we had imposed on Adam and Laura's hospitality WAY too long, we were still sad to leave Chicago. Not only would we miss them, but also we have come to love the Chicago area as a second home. However, we were looking to start our new life outside of the RV, so it was bittersweet.
We had a good trip home on the train - no crashes, and the one thing that always makes anything better was of course, Amanda, Jean-Luc and Madeleine waiting for us when we got to Dallas.
Jean-Luc has developed a new occupation. On Madeleine's 9th birthday, we had given Jean-Luc a small Lego kit based on Indiana Jones IV. Little could we know that we had created a monster. He took to Legos as if he was born knowing how to put them together. The Lego instruction books are very good - step by step with picture illustrations that require no reading (since he's only 4, this is good.) He also immediately realized that the instruction book also contained a small catalog which he used to his advantage pointing numerous times to other kits which he felt were necessary to his continued well-being. The two favorites were the Indiana Jones Temple and the Star Wars Imperial Walker.
Amanda bought him a small Star Wars kit with which he would occupy his entire day.
 Legos are hard work |
 Busy, busy, busy |
He would follow the instructions explicitly for the first two or three time, then make it without the instructions, then begin to add creative touches of his own. It was amazing to watch. Occasionally we were able to lure him away to eat.
 Jean-Luc |
I hadn't seen my brother Stephen since we got back from Chicago, so we drove over one day with Madeleine and Jean-Luc. We were surprised to see my Dad and his wife had stopped over as well - the first time I had seen him in about 10 years, and the first time ever for Jean-Luc and Madeleine to meet their Great Grandfather.
 Great Grandpa with Madeleine and Jean-Lu... |
 Dad and us |
Stephen's sons and their wives were also there.
 Leesa, Danny, Dad, Louise, Jordan and La... |
