Planes, Trains & Automobiles

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Trip start
December 14, 2025
Planes, Trains & Automobiles Traveler
Got on the 5:30 flight
December 14, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 50 °F
We got to the airport for the 6:30 flight and noticed the 5:30 was boarding. So we quickly got on the earlier flight..,making the connection in Chicago easier.

As a T-Mobile person, we get free WiFi and internet while cruising 35,000 feet. Cool.

And it’s COLD up here in Illinois. Like below ZERO. Burr. And to think we were in warm Phoenix Arizona this morning.Read more
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles Traveler
Chicago Brrrr
December 14, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 3 °F
We made the flight to Chicago O’Hare. Since Ellen’s church was cancelled, Luke will pick us up once we fly onto Champaign.

As we approached Chicago, we flew right over the Sears Tower made a turn and landed final after flying over Lake Michigan.

I see John Hancock and I can also identify Moody Bible Institute!

It’s 0 degrees right now. Pretty cold. But it was beautiful flying over the city.

Chicago. Thankful I spent 3 years in Chicago and also the honor to serve on the MBI Alumni boardRead more
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles Traveler
Snow day
December 15, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 10 °F
Because it was so extremely cold here in Fisher, school was cancelled. Snow day on Monday.

Sunday night, we had pop corn and watched the movie “Miracle on 41st street”. I had never seen it. Good.

We slept in til 8am or so. Dad made pirate eyes for breakfast.

We had a relaxing morning. The kids opened our Christmas presents to them. Items that Ellen had bought recently and wrapped. That was fun. Most kids stayed in their pjs for the whole day. We worked puzzles, played Rummy-cube and watched Home Improvement.

I took a good afternoon nap.Read more
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles Traveler
Christmas performance
December 16, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °F
We took Amanda to school then on to Walmart. I bought supplies to make Mexican casserole and cheesecake for dessert.

Amanda and I took a two hour nap.

We had Mexican casserole for dinner. Then we headed to Dewey church for Amanda’s Christmas program. Then we quickly drove to the Fisher school for the 5th grade band concert. Lucy played the trombone . And she sang in the choir. Great job.

Then Emily, 7th grade, performed in the Jr. band. She played the drums, percussion instrument and she did a great job.Read more
TravelerGreat job grandma!!!
3wReply
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles Traveler
Boarding
December 17, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 41 °F
Texas Eagle 21

Tyler Texas here we come!
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles Traveler
Surviving the Amtrak
December 17, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
The girls did great on the train. At first we were not sitting together then quickly the steward arranged for us to sit 4 across, mandating 2 fellows to move forward.

We had snacks for dinner. And the sun was setting as we were just a little bit out of Normal.

When we crossed the Mississippi River and saw “the arch”, Amanda exclaimed, “there’s a White Rainbow”.

We did get out in St. Louis to walk around for fresh air break.

Elizabeth and Amanda slept through the night. Elizabeth went to sleep around 8pm and Amanda at 9pm. We were running late through Missouri and Arkansas but made up time.Read more
TravelerI "Amtrak'd" yesterday - but only 4 hours from Alexandria to Roanoke.
2wReply
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles Traveler
Christmas canes
December 18, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
Elizabeth helped me make some Rudolph Candy Cane. I did the hot glue and Elizabeth formed the antlers.

We had the girls look under the tree for presents to open. Red outfits for Christmas.

Amanda took a 2 hour nap. They had casadillas for lunch and pirate eyes for supper. I made Mexican casserole and froze it for Christmas meal. I also made some cornbread to take to granddaddy.Read more
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles Traveler
Trip to see granddaddy
December 19, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 52 °F
We had a leisurely breakfast then headed towards Dallas. First stop was Buc-ees, then to get my hair cut.

We then needed to find some much needed shoes for Elizabeth. We scored when we purchased white tennis shoes.

We drove by granddaddy so Elizabeth and Amanda could pay a short visit.

We ate dinner at El Fenix then drove thru Highland Park to see homes decorated in Christmas lights.

Finally we stopped at the Christmas tree at Green Acres Baptist Church.

Fun day.Read more
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles Traveler
Sunday in Tyler
December 20, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 68 °F
On Saturday, the girls spent the day with Aunt Sarah and Claudia. They did some shopping and having fun at Chic-fil-A and Jalapeno Tree. They had fun.

In the late afternoon, we took the girls to Green Acres Baptist Church to see the Animated Christmas tree. We went in the white Lincoln that has a sun roof. Glenn allowed Elizabeth to stand on the center console and poke her head out while little Amanda sat up on the roof top. Weather was warm and comfortable.

When then drive over to Phil’s house to see his light presentation. Nice.

On Sunday, the girls attended church at Green Acres Baptist Church in their normal Sunday school classrooms. Elizabeth sat with us during the worship time.

I made macaroni and cheese for the girls to eat. Then Amanda and I took a nap from 1:30 to 5:15.

Glenn made the pirates eyes for dinner. We drove to Flint to see a house that had lights and music show. Very creative and beautiful.

The girls helped us open our Christmas gift. We got electro toothbrushes and other stuff.

We have been watching the “50 States” series with the girls. We had watched some of the episodes earlier on the year and now we’re finishing it.Read more
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles Traveler
3 Days before Christmas
December 22, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
We had a very relaxing morning. We watched the last 3 episodes of “50 states in 50 days”.

Then we ran some quick errands as Glenn needed to get the Lincoln washed. The girls love going thru the car wash.. we handed the employee a reindeer candy cane. Then on to the mall.

The girls got to sit in Santa Claus lap. He was a pretty good one. Asking if the girls had been good?

The girls did play on the indoor playground while I sat 15 min in the massage chair. It helped my back.

Amanda and I took a 2 hour nap. We also washed the clothes and started packing. We watched the finale of Ryan Treyhan’s you tube video series.Read more
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles Traveler
Road trip back to Illinois
December 23, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
We were all packed. Glenn decided we would drive the Lincoln Mkx giving us a little but more room.

We pulled out at 5:25 with it still dark. Our first stop was just outside Texarkana to fill up at Flying J.

Then down the road we stopped at a McDonald’s for pancakes and to add to the other food stuff we had.

We made it to Lamberts Cafe in Sikeston Missouri for the “throwed Rolls”. We had chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, fried okra.

Libby was able to catch a roll they threw to her. She was super excited!

We checked into the hotel and after a bath and hair rolled up, they watched Ratatouille movie. 6:30 we turned the lights off.Read more
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles Traveler
Day 2 road trip Christmas Eve
December 24, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F
The girls slept in til s as bout 8. Our goal was to leave by 10 for the remaining 4 hour drive up to Fisher, Illinois.

Glenn took the girls down to the dining area. The girls got dressed and ready for the day. I combed and fix their hair.

We only took potty stops along the way.. I drove til it got really foggy.

We arrived at Ellen’s place around 2:30. Ate lunch then took a quick nap with Amanda.

We attended the Christmas Eve service. Took family fotos and returned home.

The kids opened their traditional Christmas Jammie’s presents. Watched the grinch stole Christmas

Bed by midnight.Read more
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles Traveler
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F
Yes, it was the most unusual Christmas with no traditional Mexican casserole. Ellen’s oven is broken so we didn’t have the cinnamon rolls either.

Most kids were awake by 8:00am. I was up earlier doing some reading. Ellen was able to make some omelets and sausage and fresh cut up pineapple for breakfast.

As we sat downstairs in the basement, the kids enjoyed exchanging gifts. Ellen gave her own baby blanket that Lois Paul made 43 years ago to 3 1/2 year old Amanda. And also the Julie doll and bed that Julie Beekman made. My heart is blessed.

As we were listening to Christmas music, Ellen gave line-dancing instructor the popular song “All I want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey. Fun fun!

I took a nap from 3:30pm - 7:15pm. I must have been tired. Then we watched the movie “Elf” which Glenn and I had never seen before. Cute and funny movie.

8 year old Elizabeth made me a special card.

Merry Christmas to all.Read more
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles Traveler
H.O.M.E.
December 27, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
We left Fisher, Illinois at 8:30 in the morning. The weather was quite warm for Illinois. As we were driving we were trying to decide if we should drive to Colorado for Mayann’s memorial service or try to fly on Monday.

We decided to fly and then continue to drive south. We then offered to pick up dad at the doubletree hotel from his bus ride Houston.

We only made it as far as Texarkana, arriving at the hotel at 8pm.

On Saturday, we drove on into Dallas. We watched planes land at Love Field. Beautiful day. 80 degrees. Picked dad up and drove him on home. We unpacked then drove back to Tyler.

We drove approximately 1,800 miles in just the past 5 days.. good to be home for a day before we have to leave again for the Avant retiree memorial service. Fun to have Amanda and Libby here in Texas a few days and also great to spend Christmas with Ellen and her family.Read more
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Trip end
December 27, 2025