Joliet Jackhammers

This weekend K and I attended a Joliet Jackhammer minor league baseball game. The Jackhammers are an independent team that plays in the Northern League. We enjoyed the game and she tried really hard to pay attention to the action and learn a thing or two about baseball.


Our seats were just wonderful, in a special sky box, just to the left of home plate. We were treated to hot dogs and hamburgers with all the fixings, along with some delicious cookies.

K learned how the umpire signals a strike, and enjoyed some more cookies.

A hat was purchased, and more cookies were devoured.

The Jackhammer's mascot, Jammer, made a special visit to each sky box. He's a big, lovable hammer...never thought I'd be typing those words.

Jammer pounced on us, with a hug for K and a high five for me. Didn't have a chance to get a good picture, but we got some more cookies.

K bids farewell to the Jackhammers (and the cookies) in her own style!

Did I mention the cookies???

Starved Rock

A couple of weeks ago my sister Kathy, her girls and I took a nice trip to Starved Rock State Park in Utica Illinois. (Or as K called it before she new what the word meant: "NUDE-ICA", much to E's shock and disgust!).

Kathy could only stay one night, so it was just the girls and I for the next two. The highlights included: a beautiful waterfall and wonderful mini-hikes in the park, a boat ride on the Illinois River, a trip to Ottawa to see a Scouting Museums, a private viewing of the Utica historical society that included a one room school house and an old blacksmith shop, delicious meals, shopping at a local bookstore and fudge shop, a stop at the local yummy ice cream shop, nightly fun at the indoor water park, bowling, minigolf and a couple of card games. The television stations were few to pick from, and a stalemate between the Cartoon Network and a baseball game resulted in three new fans of the Food Network.

Here are some pictures of a wonderful trip:






How many stairs were there??





Historical Society Museum

The carriage Lincoln road in to get to the Lincoln/Douglas debates


One room school house



Scouting Museum



What's a vacation without mini-golf?



Paddle boat ride on the Illinois river


Lunch at Captian Cove's overlooking the river



On the trail



Water park at the hotel


My favorite, the Lazy River

Little Fish

Waterpark slide

The End

Here it is.

It fell from a star,
But not very far.
It seems to fly
Above you and I.
Look further down to see
Cousin Jay below us three.
Jump down further to see an empty space.
Tell me what "it" is, and where is this place?