The start of Brenden's trip East

The day started with getting up at 4:10a.m. to leave for Dixon, Illinois so Brenden and I could run a race. Read about that HERE.   The race was fabulous and afterwards we went to the Chicago, Midway airport so Brenden could hop on a plane to Columbus, Ohio for a few weeks to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Lewis.  While on the way we saw a fabulous looking Lamborghini and managed to get a picture of it as you will see below.  Brenden was super excited to ride a plane for his first time.  I hope he has a fabulous time in Ohio.

Brenden and I just before running the Reagan Run 5K race in Dixon, Illinois Saturday morning.

The awesome looking car that Brenden pointed out to me while I was driving to Chicago.  I quickly grabbed my camera and Brenden snagged a picture.  The guy in the car was looking at us strangely and tried to drive away fast.

If you even thought gas was expensive where you live, like me in little ole Iowa who has fuel at $3.55 a gallon and thought that was high, but was still grateful the price had come down .45 cents in the last 2 months.  Check out these fuel prices in Chicago.

Alyssa and Brenden in the airport.  Alyssa came with us to do two things.  1.  Take pictures of Brenden and I while racing the 5K.  2.  Keep me company on the drive home from Chicago so I wouldn't fall asleep.

The pilots on Brenden's flight.  He rode on Southwest Airlines flight #3513.   These two pilots were so nice that they let Brenden go into the cockpit, take pictures and explained the flight to him.  Then they announced to the other passengers that Brenden needed a window seat since it was his first flight and asked someone to give up their seat for him.  I'm am so impressed with Southwest Airlines.

Brenden and I with our race shirts on just before Brenden left on his flight.  Both Alyssa and I were lucky enough to get Non-Passenger Escort passes so we could be with Brenden at the gate.  It was awesome to be with him till the last second of him taking off.  Thanks again to Southwest Airlines.

If you enlarge the picture a couple times by double clicking on the picture and then clicking on it again, you will see Brenden in the window waiving to me.

Brenden's plane preparing for takeoff.

Brenden's plane taking off.

Brenden's plane up high in the air.   I just have to add that my  Mom called not even an hour later and Brenden's plane had landed on time and she was also given a Non-passenger escort pass so she could meet Brenden at the gate in Columbus.