Mother's Day

I hope all the mothers out there had a fabulous day, where they were treated extra special!  I know I did.  We didn't get as early a start as Husband would have liked due to an unscheduled migraine, but who cares.  My crew came up the stairs and sang me a super-sweet Mother's Day song in unison.  And so were the first tears of the day...

We left the homestead and headed up towards Alton...no one would tell me where we were headed.  As we approached downtown Alton, I thought maybe we were going to Tony's for lunch?  No.  Passed the turn off and continued up the River Road towards Grafton.  We travelled all the way across the Brussels Ferry into the little town of Brussels, IL. where we had a family-style lunch at the Whittmond Hotel.  This hotel was built in the 1800's. Great food, super-relaxed atmosphere...we all loved it!  We had a bit of a wait, but were able to sit on the huge front porch and talk, while the girls played.  Devin said it was the best lunch ever! 

After a delicious lunch, we headed back across the ferry.  The girls loved this.  We got out of the car and walked to the edge so they could watch.  I remember taking this same ferry ride as a kid....love it then too!  We stopped at the same fudge/ice cream shop that my parents took my sisters and I to as kids. 

Once the sugar high set in, we figured it was probably in everyone's best interest to head home.  It was a beautiful afternoon and we were hoping it would still be warm enough to get in the pool for a bit when we got home.  On the way, we stopped and walked around by the Piasa Bird in Alton.  The caves are all fenced off to block anyone from entering, but they are still pretty neat to look at.  The girls saw the painting of the bird on the cliff side and started telling their own versions of why the fence was there...probably to keep the bird locked inside to keep him from eating little kids!  A good time was had by all :)

We bid farewell to the Piasa Bird and headed home. We made it home just in time for the girls to take a quick, chilly, dip in the pool!

I am so thankful for my family, and even more thankful when we get to spend an afternoon like we did.  They all picked out wonderful cards for me, which again called for some tears.  My gift was an awesome digital picture frame for the wall, and a giant Hershey bar...do they know me or what?  The girls and I will be taking my mom to lunch at her favorite tea room this week, so the festivities continue!  Annie spent Mother's Day weekend with her mom and grandma camping, and had a great time, I'm sure.  We always miss her when she's not with us :)

Happy Mother's Day to all the momma's out there!