Good Luck Brandon!!!! We Love You!

Well, we (Derek, Cathy, and Heather) just returned from the nice long drive back to Illinois to drop Brandon off at college. We took lots of random pictures along the way (in the car, at the rest areas, in the restaurants, etc.) We drove straight through to Charleston (that's where EIU is) and it took us about 24 hours to drive straight through.





We did make a couple of stops along the way at the Precious Moments Chapel/Museum and Bass Pro Shop in Missouri.
Heather posing in front of a life-size piece of her birthday train that Grannie started for her.
OK, so the picture doesn't do the story justice, but as we were leaving Brandon decides to play around near the fountain...he starts jumping up the stairs (only 2) and as he hits the 2nd step, he slips and falls, drops to the ground and almost rolls IN to the fountain. He had to stick his arm in to catch himself. If only we could have had it on video...it was the funniest thing (especially to see the look on his face as it was happening). So, the best picture we could get was one of his wet arm afterwards (lame I know). Most likely, even if we had the camera or video camera ready we probably wouldn't have been able to catch it because we were all laughing so hard.

Bass Pro Shop...

We spent the night in a hotel there and looked around a little bit then headed up to Indiana to visit Cathy's brother and his family. It was nice to see all of them and get to spend some time there. Heather got to eat at her favorite restaurant (with Uncle Joe and Aunt Becky)...


Brandon wanted a haircut so Uncle Joe helped him out. He wanted a cape but they didn't have one so he made one out of a garbage bag.

Heather had fun catching lightning bugs. Those pictures didn't turn out so well and she didn't have a glass jar so they were collecting them in a Cool Whip container with holes poked all over it.
We also got to visit Cathy's Aunt Elsie and went by the cemetary where her dad and grandparents are buried.
The College Football Hall of Fame is also located in South Bend so we got to visit there. As Brandon says...he was picking out his spot!

We stayed there a few days then headed back to Charleston to get Brandon settled in. We were able to spend a few days there as well and were able to attend church with him on Sunday. It's great to know that there is a 'built-in' family wherever you go! The people there were great and very welcoming! There's definitely not a shortage of corn fields in Illinois (they are everywhere), as you can see from this picture of Brandon in the front of the cornfields across the street from the church.

We got him all set up with all the supplies he needs (and wanted) except for a car. Still working on that one. In the meantime, we bought him a nice beach cruiser so he can get back and forth to the school and wherever else he chooses to ride.


His house...
A couple more pictures from the school... Love the big helmet up on the wall and the picture turned out great too...
...and here he is in front of the Tony Romo wall (Dallas Cowboys QB who played for EIU)

We had a great trip, the weather was wonderful (some rain here and there, not too much humidity, temperatures in the 70s and low 80s). It was great to be able to see the school, meet the coach, his roommates, his Bishop and other church members, see the town, his house, etc. It was hard to leave him but this is an awesome opportunity for him. This is a great place for him to be and he is living his dream. He is an awesome young man and we know he will do well and accomplish great things. He has some missionary work to do while he's there as well. Check back for updates on how he is doing as the year/season progresses...
**********GO PANTHERS!!!***********

Now, to get the other kids ready for school...