Man Trip Day Two

Well, day two got off to a VERY rocky start!  When I started the car in Springfield I immeidately noticed my voltage gauge reading just barely charging.  Not much I could do so we set off for St Louis.  Sure enough, when I got off the highway at Litchfield, the wipers slowed down, the dash lights went out and I knew we had problems.  I thought it was the alternator.  We made it to a Denny's where we could eat and gather my options, which, being 500 miles from home in a strange town weren't good.  I asked the waitress if she knew a mechanic, and maybe even one that would be open on a Sunday.  Well, to make a long story short, the manager of the Denny's had a brother who was willing to help me out and after having the alternator and battery tested at a local Autozone the battery was the culprit.  We missed going up in the Arch but still made it to Busch Stadium and had a great day.

Kurt Warner throwing out the first pitch! 

He threw another at 39MPH but I like this photo better. :) 

He connected with a few 65MPH fastballs! 

My souvenier 

Man Trip Day One

Alright, what a day!  Last night after Alex's baseball team won the championship we immediately hit the road and drove to Michigan City, IN where we got a few hours sleep.  This morning we woke up, headed to downtown Chicago, where Route 66 begins and headed west!  I am writing captions under the photos this time...

The beginning of the Mother Road! 

There are still miles of the last generation of road from Route 66 they have stopped using and left to be overgrown.  It was kind of cool to drive on the some of these. 

Our first historic gas station stop, in Dwight, IL. 

Another restored gas station, this one in Odell, IL. 

Great museum in Pontiac, IL. 

This one and a half mile stretch of brick road is the original dating back to the early years of Route 66!  Had to find this and drive on it!   

Historic Lincoln building in downtown Springfield, IL. 

Cooling off 

 Artists getting to paint the streets in downtown Springfield

Found a favorite 

Gotta end the day with room service!!

Alex and the Mason Bulldogs win the Championship!!

Well, tonight Alex's baseball season came to a close with a Championship win!  They had a great season and capped it off by winning their tournament.  So proud of all the boys!  

First day of soccer for Abby, Izzy and Olivia!

Well, here we go again!  The soccer season started today for the Olivia, Izzy and Abby.  Olivia played so hard and played very well.  She was exhausted afterwards and got quite a workout, playing 4 of the 6 periods.  Izzy and Abby were so fun to watch, they just loved playing.  Abby played so hard, and against older kids since we moved her up an age group to play with Izzy.  She was fighting through people and doing so well!  Plus the smile on her face is why I love for them to play in the first place.  Izzy got her first goal!  She was all smiles when she did that.  I had so much fun watching them this morning.  My girls played hard!

 Izzy kicking in her first goal!