Throwed Rolls...The Way Home, Part II

After our stop in Springfield to become acquainted with one of the greatest persons in human history, we continued our long journey home. We had tried to eat at a very famous place several times before: I had stopped there at least three times with a bus full of pep band and spirit squad members, only to be met with a hour+ wait. Our family had stopped there at least once (it was on our way to Chicago on that Friday), and were faced with a 45 minute wait. When you're on a road trip roll, 45 minutes waiting for a table may as well be an overnight stop. Men, shout out if you're with me!

But on Tuesday night, at about 7:00 PM CST, we finally made it...LAMBERT'S CAFE! HOME OF THE THROWED ROLLS! (and yes, that's how we spell it...)

If you've never heard of this place, you're missing out. Lambert's is a home-cooking family style restaurant. You order an entree and a side or two, and it's amazing. Definitely not on Bob & Jillian's list of what to eat, but super fine on your buds. It's world renowned for their THROWED ROLLS, and they really are! Waiters/Waitresses would stand on the sides of the large dining room with baskets of big, hot yeast rolls, was watchmen & watch-women alert for any sign of hunger. All you had to do was get their attention (either a head nod, a hand raised, or a hungry look accompanied with a grin), and a roll was promptly (and quite accurately) THROWED at your head. If you've never been at Jacque's table for Thanksgiving, you just don't know. My brother Martin was the master of this...ask for the rolls, and one was one the way...quick. Ask for some mashed potatoes and some were...you get the picture. It was tremendous to eat and absolutely fun to catch. Nicholas had to be curtailed...he kept asking for rolls, even though he wasn't eating them. Catching rolls to eat is just too cool...

Here are some shots of the kids playing on the creations in front of the World Famous Lambert's Cafe...HOME OF THE THROWED ROLLS!

Now that's football!

We've had these pictures for a while, and just haven't gotten them uploaded for your viewing pleasure! On October 15th, Nicholas' Hope Tigers football team had a game. It has been a VERY rainy autumn here in Memphis, and this week was certainly no exception. I've always heard football players talk about the game of football really being great when it was played in the rain and mud. I fondly remember pickup football games growing up (and at ECU) when it was rainy and muddy. It must be one of those "boy" things that stands the test of time... (note Sasquatch running by in the background!)


This is Nicholas and partner-in-crime Matthew (the biggest hitter on the team) showing off their physiques after the game. We lost this one, but boy they had fun!

Honest Abe...The Way Home, Part I

Driving to Chicago, we passed through Springfield Illinois, which is steeped in American history (specifically with regards to Abraham Lincoln). On the way home, we stopped at the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and the experience was truly amazing. Neither Karen or I had ever been to a Presidential Library or Museum, so we jumped on the chance. Nicholas & Caroline weren't so motivated, but humored us nonetheless...

I've always wondered what it must have been like for Lincoln, as our president in perhaps the most difficult era in our history...truly the fate of a nation rested on his shoulders. What I never realized was that Lincoln was essentially hated by both sides...even his historic Emancipation Proclamation (which was intend to abolish slavery) was refuted by Abolitionists because it didn't free anyone at the time (only those who were enslaved in Confederate States, over which he had no power or jurisdiction). And yet, because of Lincoln's strength, our country survived that dreadful period. I wonder what he would think about our country today...

Chi-Town, Our Kind of Town! Part III

And on the 3rd day, we had MORE AWESOME FUN in the Chicagoland area!

We kicked the day off with a visit to Lego-Land in Schaumburg, which was Nicholas' special treat. He had saved up to buy the Venator-class Republic Attack Cruiser, and of course, Lego Land was all out of them. Not to worry; we hit a nearby Target, and he bought it there on sale. Score for Nicholas! Lego Land had some amazing things, including a model of the downtown strip of Chicago, many jungle animals (including awful spiders), Darth Vader, R-2, Harry Potter, Hagrid, Indiana Jones, and much more! Here's a slideshow of our exploits in Lego Land!

Then, Monday night, my special treat was to see my favorite NBA team, the Chicago Bulls, in person for the very first time! I've been a Bulls fan since 1985, when they drafted Michael Jordan (because he's a Tarheel...duh...). I have old t-shirts with Bulls Championship stuff from their dynasty years, and all the times I've been to Chicago, I've never seen them play. We went especially to see Derrick Rose player (former Memphis Tiger, now with the Bulls), but he was out with a sprained ankle. Still, it was awesome to see the house that Jordan built! Here's a slideshow of my memorable night with the Bulls.

Chi-Town, Our Kind of Town! Part II

But wait! There's more!

Sunday was a day of rest for us, and we spent the morning visiting Tom and Carole's church, Parkview Fellowship in one of the 'burbs, which was a sweet place to be with other believers! The kids absolutely loved the children's ministry there.

Sunday afternoon, we hung out around the house, and played some football in the yard-Nicholas & I against Tom & Carole...they wore us out! Their house is absolutely beautiful, and we were so blessed to stay in such a wonderful place!

This is the upstairs master bedroom, overlooking the backyard...














Every ceiling had its' own special decor; this is the foyer upstairs leading to the guest rooms.














This is a view from the upstairs open loft area, overlooking the living room.














This is another view from the loft, looking into the breakfast dining area, and the kitchen.














This is Karen's dream kitchen (which also happens to be in Tom & Carole's house). That's also her great-looking dream husband, and her beautiful dream children...














Sunday night was perhaps the coolest of all...THE BLUE MAN GROUP performing in Chicago! We had seats on the 3rd row...so close they made us put on ponchos to protect us from flying objects (namely, banana pudding)...AMAZING! Perhaps the funniest part of all was after the show when Nicholas & Caroline said, "Why didn't they ever smile? It would've been more funny that way." I almost choked on my intestines laughing so hard...

Chi-Town, Our Kind of Town! Part I

The Holland Clan managed to eek out some funds to have a fun getaway to Chicago over our Fall Break - it was actually the first fall break (& Karen's birthday weekend) that I've ever had off from football, school, or otherwise. PLUS, one of Karen's best friends, Carole Kenney, had moved back stateside from years in the mission field in Austria and China, and is in the Chicagoland area. So, we loaded up the bus (er um...van) and drove to Chicago for several days!

We christened our first evening there with some Chicago-style pizza at Giardino's...wow...that was awesome...

On our first full day, we parked at Navy Pier and trolleyed & trekked our way to the American Girl Doll store, where we promptly were relieved of a great deal of savings! The children had been doing odd jobs around the house to earn extra money, and we also boosted their piggy banks when we arrived. Caroline got a doll, some outfits for her, and took her Mia doll for a special hairdo and the Doll Salon there at the store. My goodness...

We then sought out some lunch, and settled on a food court in a shopping area...I know, lame! Karen actually wanted to eat the ESPN-Zone, but the wait was 45 minutes, and I didn't think she wanted to wait that long. Silly me! We passed by this crazy dude, who was actually very entertaining while searching for food...
After our food court Chicago hot dogs, Chinese, and whatever else, we found a special cupcake bakery that Karen had read about on some blogs. We celebrated her special day with birthday cupcakes from "More", and it was one of the most amazing cupcakes I've ever eaten. I had a pumpkin spice cupcake, and Karen had a salted caramel cupcake. It made my toes wiggle...mmm mmm mmm...We crashed at a Starbucks next to More for a while, and then made off for the ESPN-Zone for dinner. The kids played some video games, and we had some game-day food while we watched several screens each with different college football games on...nearly Heaven! What made that even more special is that Karen's other best friend Liz and her hubby Tony were in town for a wedding, and they met us at ESPN for dinner and a special visit. How awesome is that?














After dinner, we made our way back to the Navy Pier. We hung out around there, took some pictures of the skyline, played catch with a football, and watched a USO Service Awards banquet through the windows. There was a parade of all the state flags and a medley of music from each of the branches (including the Coast Guard, Yes!). Very cool moment - here is the presentation of the colors for the National Anthem.

Finally, we were treated to "Halloween Fireworks" that night. Wow, I said. That's just about all I could say...Wow!

Here are some highlights from the first day: