We have just left our great hotel accomodations, after securing another hot breakfast. Great rate, including breakfast, for $118.00, including tax. Last night, Holly made an announcement that she was now a vegeterian - then went back to eating her pepperoni pizza (which I should say was actually pretty terrible). We are currently wondering which will be worse... The traffic at the exit of the Indiana Toll Road or the morning rush hour traffic in Chicago... :(. Lots of honking and frustrated drivers in any event, but lucky for us that we get to hear the ceaseless exclamation of Cooper's new McDonald's toy as he yells out "it's clobberin' time".... Really, it is much nicer than the honking. Our feelings of doom and terror 25 miles outside of Chicago were reconciled with the fact that the badly congested traffic was due to an unfortunate breakdown. I love the uniforms the officers wear down here and if I was a wee bit bolder I dare say I would have snapped a photo of the very tall officer, however I made do with a photo of his vehicle instead (see blog photo). Thankfully, we are back up to speed (that is.. Hurtling speed) and heading into Chicago. We just crossed the next time zone and are now in sync with Winnipeg time - that currently being 8:18 am. A quick stop for fuel at Road Ranger near Wisconsin, where we also cleverly grabbed ice cream for everyone for lunch. This was the first time I had ever had the pleasure of devouring a Tollhouse Cookie ice cream sandwich, but it most certainly will not be my last and at 380 calories it does well for a full meal replacement. Things are about to get squirrely in here as James has just downed another 5 hour energy shot - always good for a laugh. Hmmmm.....33 miles from Wisconsin Dells and I find myself wondering what exactly is an "adult bakery" - the signs are so interesting along the US freeways. We are nearly at Albertville - a frenzy of shopping awaits Holly and I, while the hotel pool will suffice for James, Brooke, and Cooper. After narrowly escaping by the skin of our teeth from a nightmare scenario of beyond heavy traffic, the final half hour of our day turned into an hour and a half and we were able to escape to Country Inn and Suites by Carlson. This lovely hotel is beside Albertville Outlet Mall and we are currently awaiting our well-priced supper to arrive at D. Michael's B before splitting up to our chosen activities. The food, btw, was scrumptious. Please give a minute to reflect upon the abuse my poor credit card is about to endure :). Back from shopping and the best deal by far was at Carters. Absolutely exhausted after walking the outlet mall for two hours, but I remain victorious in my puchases.