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.