On Thursday, October 15th our first visitors to Illinois arrived around 10pm after about a 10 hour journey! Kirk, Gail and Matt (Sheldon's parents and brother for those of you who do not know) braved the traffic and practically day-long rain showers to get here even though we were coming home the next weekend for a wedding.
The rain did not really stop until Sunday morning, but we managed to get out there a little bit. We rode around the neighborhood and Marion a little, and had lunch at McAlister's Deli. Yes...the same as on Augusta back home with the big sweet tea! We ventured to the TIRED Marion mall where Matt was finally able to find some size 14 shoes. Sheldon did a drive by at The Reserve and showed off a little southern Illinois countryside.
Now Sheldon had been waiting on this visit for us to enjoy the 17th Street Bar & Grill
http://www.17thstreetbarbecue.com/ restaurant. This nationally recognized BBQ brags on a four-time World Champion and three-time Grand World Champion at Memphis in May, otherwise known as the Super Bowl of Swine. Also the 1992 Grand Champion of the Jack Daniel’s World Invitational Barbecue Cooking Contest and it won the Jack Daniel’s Sauce Contest that year as well. Here is Gail and Kirk before digging in. I think we all agreed these are the best ribs any of us ever tasted!!
Sunday was the prettiest day so we headed out to Blue Sky Vineyards http://www.blueskyvineyard.com/. It was a beautiful fall day and everyone was getting out to enjoy it after several days of rain. Families can enjoy the free outdoor music and bring their own picnic or order from the Blue Sky menu. The most popular menu items seemed to be the cheese plate, bread and olive oil, and thin crust pizza.
Sunday night was spent watching a little brotherly rivalry between Atlanta and Chicago. Final score was Atlanta 21, Chicago 14.
On Monday morning The Porters headed out on another long journey home. It was so good to have family in our home for the weekend! Who's next people?
Hayes enjoyed Trick or Treating so much this year and was pumped about being a cowboy! He asked to wear his cowboy boots several times earlier in the week, and enjoyed gently lassoing Roscoe in the living room. Hayes quickly learned that if you go to a door then you get more candy. He did get a little scared of some creepy clowns and a ninja that was sitting on a porch. He also enjoyed holding the candy bowl and handing out candy to our trick-or-treaters. Later in the night Hayes walked into the kitchen with three unwrapped Dum-Dums in hand. Those are his favorite!
Here we are at Sheldon's work. This lonesome cowboy didn't want to have his picture made at the time.
More treats!
Ready to go!
Hayes at Sheldon's work. 
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