Retirement wrap-up

We had a great time in Chicago! The girls were excellent travelers. We pulled them through the airports like luggage and they loved it. ;)

The retirement celebration was especially fun. We went to the school just before the teachers were dismissed for the summer. The principal announced that "Mrs. Nelson's whole family came" for the big day and everyone applauded her 31 years of service to the school system. We went out for a small family lunch afterward to celebrate some more. Both of Kevin's brothers and two of Kevin's aunts joined us.
Madelyn was happy to give her Glamma a helping hand with her gifts.....



After lunch we were lucky enough to make a visit to Jeff and Deb's fantastic new house that will be ready sometime in the fall. Isn't it gorgeous?
The other big exciting thing was seeing the cicadas. The 17-year ones have descended upon Chicago and we did our best to explore them. I was my usual skittish around them but tried to put put up a brave front for Madelyn. I mean really what did I think they would do to me (nothing!) but that is just that. Here's Madelyn getting up close and personal with her new winged friend.

Then after a little 36 hours we were back home again. The weary travelers were SO good on the go: