Chicago, IL Trip!

Jaroski Family visits Wauconda, IL, birth place of:
Joseph Jaroski, Kathryn Jaroski and Grace Jaroski!!!
This house was our home for 10 years. Three bedrooms, 1 tiny Master Bath, that everyone was always in, 1 full bath upstairs, 1 powder room down, 1 Family Room with wood burning stove (we added), one Office/Living Room plus a basement that was always a mess!! Oh, yes. One dining room, that was actually used for eating, one Kitchen and Laundry Room.
I had the most difficult time driving away from this house because of all the wonderful memories it held!! It was a GREAT HOME!!! All 3 children were born in the Master bedroom, Kathryn before any doctor arrived.

This is the lake, where Jared, Graham, Joseph did their fishing for northern pike, largemouth bass and more. Graham was interested in ice fishing, so they did that too!! During the summer, we went swimming and sometimes took our boat for a ride. Great memories of the 4th of July party!!

This is Westminister Reformed Presbyterian Church, where we worshiped for about 5 years before moving to San Antonio. This is where we learned about the Reformed Faith, asked lots of questions, listened to lots of discussions, and after about 2 years, thought, "There might be something to this theology!" People never pressured us or told us we were wrong, but patiently explained their faith. We baptized Jared, Graham, Joseph, Kathryn and Grace here. Praise God for His mercy to us!!!

Thanksgiving, 2007!!!!
Grandma Neri celebrates her 96th birthday!!!
Hip hip hurray, Grandma!!!
We love you and are so glad we got to spend Thanksgiving with you and Mom J!!!!

Craig showing off his turkey dinner! Yum.

Looks like Joseph had something beef oriented, the carnivore that he is.

Ditto for Jared, and Graham and Grace!

Truman and Joelle with their 96 year old Grandma!!!
A big blessing, and wish we lived closer.

Kathryn!!

Miss those days of eating out with Grandma N. They are precious to us!

This is the John Hancock Building, 900 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60610. I worked at this building for 5 years before marrying the man of my dreams! This is the lobby. I worked on 23rd Floor, Near North Insurance Agency. Truly an education. Working outside the home in an office is not all its cracked up to be.... But it was fun being downtown!

Outside the John Hancock Building, Michigan Avenue.

The American Girl Store!!! What a great place!! Okay, I know they support lesbian ideals, but it is a American Girl is a great concept, and I admit to loving it too!!! This is the equivalent of the Marshall Field & Co. toy section I used to visit as a child. Amazing!!!!

Joseph and Graham love the Echo equipment, and wanted to visit the headquarters in Lake Zurich, IL. They make great trimmers and blowers....(I think.) This is 15 minutes from where we used to live.

This is the home where Graham Carver Jaroski was born, before the doctor arrived. Fun delivery, being my first homebirth. Craig remodeled this home entirely on the inside, then we ran out of money. We sold it, and the next people (we think) remodeled it on the outside. We did not get here during the day, but the Christmas lights are spectacular. This was our first home, after moving out of our townhouse. It was very comfortable. Three bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1 living space, kitchen, plus basement. We grew strawberries in the backyard. There was a creek just below our property.

Grandpa Al is doing well, and we all enjoyed seeing him for a visit!!!

Amy Walker introduced Craig and I in 1984. We got married in 1986. She and Pat are a terrific couple and we loved our visit with their family. They also have an older daughter, not in this photo.

Now we celebrate with Crispy Cream Donuts for breakfast on birthdays, but in Illinois, we always took at least the birthday person to Walker Bros. for an unbelievable experience in dining cuisine!!! :-) We miss those days.....

Our 7 kids with Grammy.

Bruce and Gail's home, Lombard, IL. Bruce is Craig's brother. We had a LOVELY dinner there, celebrating Grandma's 96th birthday, and Gail's 55th!!!!!

Our 7 kids with Great Grandma!!!

Uncle Jack and Grammy, Gail!!!!

Hope you have enjoyed this post, seeing where we have come from. These days were very happy for me, and I treasure them. Thank you Lord, for the gift of seeing it again.