Page 21 of WhirledPeas Travel Blog Posts


North America » United States » Illinois » Chicago July 25th 2010

Dad and I left five hours early to pick up Mom from downtown Chicago, let all my aunts meet Oliver, and go to the airport. Oliver hates his rented car seat and quickly became hysterical. After driving with a screaming baby for half an hour, I insisted my dad drop us off at Midway on his way downtown. It meant my mom's sisters couldn't meet Oliver, but I couldn't make Oliver so upset for that long of a time. Oliver and I made the best of our half day at Midway Airport. My parents insist on flying through Midway rather than O'Hare. Until recently, O'Hare was the busiest airport in the world, and it's a pain navigating and driving in and out of. Midway is closer to our family, anyway. We found the snack area near ... read more
Dancing with the Blues Brothers
Oliver's in Trouble

North America » United States » Illinois » Chicago July 23rd 2010

I haven't been to the Shedd Aquarium since I was a little kid. When I thought about what to do in the city, I decided the Shedd was the perfect choice. Oliver loves looking at fish and crabs and turtles in tanks. My dad, Aunt Pam, Heidi, Oliver and I set out downtown on what might have been the hottest day of the year. Man, was it muggy, too! In a way, it felt nice; in another way, it was miserable! We parked at the museum campus parking and made the short hike to the Shedd (we didn't bother waiting for the trolley). We thought a Friday morning, shortly after opening, would be the perfect time to go. The line to get in was probably a block and a half long! Thankfully, we could go into ... read more
Aunt Pam & Heidi
Bizarre Fountain
Oliver Checks Out the Duck

North America » United States » Illinois » Chicago July 22nd 2010

My dad and I flew to Chicago with Oliver so the family could finally meet my little man. We're staying in Palos with Uncle Mike and Aunt Pam. My mom, meanwhile, is also in Chicago. She's staying downtown with her sisters for their first annual "sisters' weekend." Over the last decade, I've warmed to my home near Denver. I've grown to love the mountains and the arid, rocky land. It's really starting to feel like home. That is, until I come back to Chicago. We come back nearly once a year, and every time, I feel so at home and in love with the city and its people. After landing at Midway, we drove downtown to drop my mom off at her hotel on Grand & State. We drove by Grant Park and Millenium Park. We ... read more
Chicago
Water Tower
The Magnificent Mile


We said goodbye to High Brewster and all of Andrew's relatives. A little reluctant to leave the cape, we opted to visit The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History before setting off to the airport. There was enough information available to be interesting for adults, but most of the museum's focus appeared to be directed at children. There was a "summer sleuth group" of kids working hard at decyphering clues. There was a hands-on room (Oliver enjoyed putting his feet in the sandbox) and an aquarium where a volunteer helped children touch starfish (she called them "sea stars") and other local aquatic creatures. Oliver loved looking at the turtles and the striped bass.... read more
Oliver and a Wooly Mammoth Tooth
Grandma Colleen Shows Oliver the Sand
Oliver Tries to Touch the Turtle


The Shattucks/Shermans spent the evening at home. Sara made pesto pasta and potato salad, and the guys barbequed some food outside. Sara's friend, Vicky, came with her family, including her mother (whom everyone called, "Oma"). After dinner, I struck up a conversation with Oma. I told her how we called my great-grandma Oma, and I asked her if she was from Germany. She didn't look German, so I expected her to tell me no (I thought she'd have a story for me on how "Oma" is a name that's used in multiple countries or something). I was surprised when she said yes. In fact, she told me she was born in Germany. She told me her family's Jewish, and she left Germany when she was 13, in 1939. Oma went on to tell me that people ... read more


On a suggestion from John, we decided to spend the afternoon in Provincetown, which is at the end of Cape Cod. Andrew, Paul, Colleen, Scott, Oliver and I took the drive north, and I loved the scenery. There were lush forests and ocean on either side of us. Oliver snoozed the whole way up and woke only when we arrived. We just missed the Fourth of July parade. We saw men dressed as Revolutionary solidiers (complete with muskets) walk by, away from the parade site. We also saw some floats filled with girls in striped bikini bottoms and star spangled bikini tops on the way home. So, after grabbing lunch at a local diner, we decided to scope the town. Providence's local population is mostly gay, and store fronts boast rainbow flags and rainbow welcome mats. ... read more
Fourth of July Faux Hawk
Oliver and I at Provincetown
Enjoying Provincetown on the 4th


While Oliver and I enjoyed our relaxing afternoon at High Brewster, Andrew went with his brother, Zach, and his second cousin, Lizzie, and her boyfriend, Chris, to the ocean. Here are some photos from their adventures!... read more
Andrew, Lizzie, and Chris
Sea Fun
Spider Crab Carapace


Yesterday, Sara and John's son, Sam, arrived. While young (17), he works hard to make sure everyone's happy. I like having the young man around. Last night, Andrew's brother, Zach, also arrived to High Brewster. It's always nice having Zach with us, and Andrew was especially happy to see his older brother. Early this afternoon, Andrew, Zach, Sam, Chris and Lizzie went back to the beach. I decided Oliver and I had enough fun in the sand, so we stayed behind with Sara and Colleen. John went for a long (13.5 mile) run, and Paul did more metal detecting. Sara is very handy in the kitchen and makes delicious meals and treats, so when she mentioned baking pies for all, I jumped at the chance to help. Colleen took my little babe (photos below of their ... read more
Cherry Pie Fillings!
Cherry Pie!
Grandma Colleen Babysits Oliver


Oliver went down for his nap at 10am, and Andrew and I decided to set sail (errr, row?) at the lake. I grabbed a sun bonnet and sun glasses, and Andrew grabbed a paddle. Grandma Colleen went on baby watch duty. The lake is pretty large, and there are a few other homes dotting its shore with their own docks. However, we were the only boat on the lake this morning. Andrew paddled, and I relaxed and bird watched (not that I know anything about birds). Different colored dragon flies landed on the canoe, and we paddled by some lily pads and tadpoles. It was a very quiet and gorgeous mini-expedition.... read more
He's a Bad Ass
Lily Pads
More Lily Pads


Andrew and I spent some time before dinner reading on reclining chairs, overlooking the lake, listening to ground squirrels run on the grass around us. Sara made fantastic fajitas and black bean & corn salad for dinner. After dinner, Andrew's second cousins invited us out to the Wood Shed. We thought they were inviting us out back or something, perhaps to chop wood for the numerous fireplaces. Andrew did, too. Joey clarified; the Wood Shed is a bar down the road. I've been to a bar once before, and it was for my sister's wedding weekend. For a moment, I thought of ways to deny their invitation. Then, I realized, these are Andrew's cousins (whom he hasn't gotten to see in a decade). Besides, I've been working hard at being a little more flexible in my ... read more




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