It’s always so great to get away and always so good to get home. We had a nice trip in Indiana and came home to the hustle bustle of life, so I feel like I am just now close to caught up. Ha. What is “caught up” really?
Here’s the way we did the trip. Nate, Nama and the kids drove down and I flew. I know, I know, it sounds like I am rotten, but the objective was to not make Nama fly. She does NOT like to fly and hasn’t been on an airplane in a few decades. So Nate drove the trip going and had to leave midway through to come back to work. I drove home. Next time, I vote to drive GOING. It’s always better to drive GOING to the fun destination than COMING home when you’re beat from vacation.
They arrived at Nama’s sister’s house late Sunday night and that’s where Nama stayed the rest of the week. Nate and the kids picked me up on Monday morning from the airport. I like to think that vacation officially began then. 🙂
We started the trip out right…Steak N Shake! Oh yeah, baby!
We stayed with Jainean and her gorgeous family for the week. Thanks, Nean, for all the fun, the food, the laughs and the whole new set of memories. It’s always fun to see my friend.
Jainean was my college roommate at Indiana Bible College for the two years that I was there. Oh, do we EVER have the stories to tell!!! My lands. So many stories, so little time. She is HIGHlarious. And she thinks I’m funny…soooo you can imagine the laughs and the wheezing and the snorting. Yes, there is all of that. She’s a hoot and a true friend. I love her very much.
It’s been THREE years since I’ve seen Jainean and her kids and OH MY WORD, everyone’s grown up so much! It was so fun to get the kids together again.
This is Nean’s youngest, Cody…he has grown UP! Look at him all dressed up in his softball uniform. So cute.
It’s Indiana which is synonymous with BALL. We were able to go to lots of ballgames with the kids and chat away on the sidelines. It was a low key time. Ahhh. Then we ran over to Ellwood, about 45 minutes away, to see Uncle Paul, Aunt Peggy and Aunt Beattie. Uncle Paul is 92 and he is THE CUTEST old man alive…we all do an impression of Uncle Paul, even Indie. Greyley’s impression is spot on. He talks like no other and is SO sweet, SO kind, SO darling.
He still rides his bike. Yes. You can picture that, can’t you. I adore him. Preciousness personified.
Aunt Beattie and my girl…I believe Aunt Beattie is 92 also, maybe still 91…she is as feisty and wonderful as ever. She’s staying in a home not too far from Aunt Peggy and Uncle Paul and loves to have company. I wish we lived closer so we could visit all the time…and eat Mexican food together. It’s her favorite. Mine, too.
Aunt Peggy and me…I love this woman. I think she just might be a saint. She’s married to Uncle Paul. He got himself a younger woman about 63 years ago. Aunt Peggy is a go-getter, loves everybody with an open heart, paints, loves family history, is a peacemaker and takes care of everybody. She’s 84 and still going strong. I have been worried about her since I left her, though…she works way too hard.
Nate and his Aunt Beattie. He loves her so much and it is mutual!
Their banter is so funny and extremely sweet. Seeing Nate and his Aunt Beattie together just makes sense. They get one another.
Back to Indianapolis…we spent a day at the zoo.
Nate’s back, Sydni, Greyley, Brady, Indigo and Cody
We’re missing Samantha in this picture. 🙁 She had to go to school. Oops, I forgot about the hooky part!
I could have stayed in here forever…
LOVE the penguins! And this guy…awww.
That’s one big fellow. Brady is the cute one…on the right…in case you were confused. His brown eyes make me melt. Brady has pretty much always had me wrapped…his eyes light up, he’s mischievous, smart and sweet.
This guy’s eyes light up too. Like…way…up.
When we saw each other, it was like time stood still. There was just this connection. I totally felt like we were going to be on this journey together…
OK, maybe I’m getting that confused with The Bachelorette. Yeah, pretty sure that’s it.
And then I fell for these adorable creatures. I fell hard. Who wouldn’t?
I can’t take it. This little fella. Look at him! Or her. Or him.
Mama Giraffe asked for a copy of this one for her scrapbook.
And then tried to act all nonchalant about it…
OK, sorry, got distracted with the giraffes.
If you want to feel young again, just go watch an elephant for a while. You’ll feel downright nimble.
To be continued…