Monday, October 19, 2009

I'm ba-ack, sort of.

Big D and I decided to make the 15hr drive without stopping over anywhere on our way home and we left yesterday after church, so we got in between 2 and 3 this morning. I'm sort of back in the groove. I got the car cleaned out and 4 suitcases full of laundry done, but I still haven't been to the grocery store (thanks for dinner mom!) and I'm just now sitting down to catch up on my blogging. Tomorrow I'll pick the winner of my $25 Chili's gift card giveaway, so check back tomorrow if you entered. For now I'll show you some of the highlights of our trip to Indiana to see Big D's family and his beloved homeland.



Mr. Monk with his cousin at the Covered Bridge Festival in Bridgeton, IN.



Big D going a little crazy with a funnel cake. (His first and last for a very long time:)


I had to don Big D's coat on top of my own at the oh-so-cold Bridgeton Covered Bridge Festival. I was so cold I had to take a hot bath when we got home to defrost (note the blue lips).


Twinkle Toes in the one room schoolhouse at Billie Creek Village. These are homeschooled kids who dressed in appropriate costumes (we'll have to plan for this next time) and had fun experiencing what school might have been like 100 years ago. Twinkle Toes even won a spelling bee for K-3rd graders.



The kids got to see candle dipping, a printing press, pottery making, and wood carving at Billie Creek Village.




Off on our hiking adventure. I'd have to ditch the stroller in about 100 paces. I carried Baby Lu for the duration of the hike. I had a sore neck and biceps the following day, but lots of good memories to go along with them.




View of Sugar Creek from the suspension bridge at Turkey Run State Park.





Our All American Boy hiking on ahead of Big D on trail #3 at Turkey Run.





Our gracious hosts in Indiana, Big D's big brother and his saintly wife. They had 15 people in their home (7 under 10) for almost a week! We so enjoyed our time with them!





Mr. Monk hanging out with his big cousin, 4 years his senior. He shadowed his cousing the whole time we were there. What a blessing to have such a mature and kind 14 year old for your son to look up to.




Here we are, the whole motley crew. The kids had so much fun with their cousins, they spent the 15 hour drive home scheming about when and how they could see them again.

8 comments:

  1. This looks like such a wonderful trip! The views are fantastic!

    ps I thought I was crazy to drive 9 hours yesterday! You have me beat ;)

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  2. Looks like lots of fun. And good memories for everyone. I love the look on Big D's face in the funnel cake picture.
    You are brave to tackle 15 hours on the return trip! The most we have done with our gang is 9 1/2! Glad you are back and hoping you get back into the swing of things smoothly.

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  3. It looks like you all had a great time! Glad you're vacation was fun and your travels were safe.

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  4. I'm freakishly particular about my grammar... your, not you're DUH

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  5. Looks like a ton of fun! Glad you made it home safely.

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  6. looks like so much fun! the most fun we'll have any time soon is the fair...but check my blog for those pics next week i think!

    i'm glad you guys are back safely!

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  7. Debi,
    The 15 hr drive was a last minute decision based on 1.) the knowledge that we wouldn't all fit in normal hotel room so we'd have to spend a lot for just a few hrs and 2.) the kids finally fell asleep and we were'nt about to mess that up!

    Valerie,
    We went right by you on our way to Fayetteville. Arkansas is beautiful!

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  8. wow, you were sooooo close! And yes Arkansas is so beautiful. I am so very very very sad to leave it. maybe one day we will return. I hope. But only God himself knows where we will go. I still can't believe how close you came to me! I drive right by you on my way to Cali every year too!

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I'm an on-the-run mom to 6 kids who studied and taught exercise science in a previous life. I love all things running, nutrition, and health-related. I usually run at zero dark thirty in the morning and am often quite hungry before, during, and after my run, but I live a rich, full, blessed life with my children, family, and friends. My faith in God is my anchor, and looking to Him and His promises allows me to live fully even when life circumstances are difficult. While running gives me an appetite, my desire is to hunger and thirst for righteousness more than for physical food.