On December 30th right after I got done working a 12 hour night shift we picked up our rental car, threw everything we needed in the back and took off for the long drive to Indiana, It was very cramped because we only got a mid size car and with 2 car seats and me all in the back it got pretty claustrophobic. The drive went mercifully well though, Aaron is a much better traveler than Luke was at his age, and we made great time. That was important because the very next day was the 90th birthday party for Greg's Grandma Eva.
Dawn, Greg's sister, made 2 amazing cakes with all kinds of stuff on it that reminded her the kids and grandkids of Grandma Myers. The cakes themselves were made by someone else but Dawn made all the decorations by hand, including all the playing cards, out of fondant and sugar and special food coloring, etc.
Kathy, I think almost all the pics I have of her this trip are with Aaron in her arms! (-:
The blur... I mean Luke.
Grandma and the grandkids (minus spouses).
Grandma and her children (minus spouses).
Aaron, Clara and Carter. If you look back to our summer trip you will see smaller versions of these cuties together. (-;
Boys!!! On the ends are Greg's cousins' kids, Will and Grant, in the middle are Luke, Isaac and Easton (1st cousins)
Grandma and the grandkids and great grandkids (again minus spouses).
4 generations
The next day we got together again less formally at Glenda's house. Luke was fast buddies with Will and Grant and so we took a quick pic before they headed back home to Texas.
Luke and Easton were inseparable.
Tici and Dave with their boys.
This was their "house" and so of course they needed to eat in their house.
The women gathered around the table while the men watched football. We also got in a game or two of hand and foot, the game that was represented on one of Grandma's cakes.
Next day we opened presents at Mimi and Papa's house!
We did have some relaxed down time while we were there!
Celebrating Dennis and Anita's 65th birthdays (since this was the only time close to their b-days that we would all be together).
Luke and Easton were like twins and had such a blast together the whole time we were there. They LOVED each other! But they also got into a ton of trouble. Every time we turned around they were into something else. One time they dumped laundry detergent all over themselves and the other kids, another time they went to the basement and got into the deep freezer and helped themselves to some ice cream. There were a lot of messes to clean up wherever they went, but they had so much fun we couldn't be mad at them.
Dawn is expecting their 3rd baby! Can't wait to find out if we have a new niece or nephew!
Mimi trying valiantly to read stories to the kids one evening to calm them down for bed.
Luke and Aaron have both always really liked bath time but I think this was the first time that I saw them having this much fun together in the tub!
Here is a link to a video I took of them together... http://youtu.be/RlY7sscp23I
One last family picture before taking off for Indianapolis and then home...
We always like to stop in Indianapolis if at all possible to visit our good friends there. This trip happened to be perfectly timed to coincide with contrabowl, a game night at our friend's Kevin and Jen's house. We got there early and planned to spend the night at Tom and Dori's house so the next few pictures are there.
Tom is from Malaysia and he took Dori there to see where he grew up and spend time with his family over Christmas. I am holding some fruit snacks they brought back with them and gave to Luke, and the scarf around my neck was a present from Dori that she got there.
One of Tom's other claims to fame is his fresh key lime pie, and he made 8 of them for contrabowl! I think only 2 got eaten there was so much good food there, so a lot of people volunteered to take home the leftovers.
Greg and I started eating Sushi when we met this group of friends while still living in Goshen, and now when we go to see them is one of the few times that I get to splurge and get some more! This was really excellent sushi, and so worth the long wait (Greg and Tom left to get groceries and took the keys to my car which was parked in front of Dori's car so we were stuck until they got home).
By the time Dori and I got to eat Aaron was tired so Tom picked him up and he was out in a matter of minutes! Go Tom!!!
Dori's little garden!
Time for Contrabowl and the kids had a blast playing together. Nolan is Kevin and Jen's little boy, soon to be a big brother himself!
Luke got a hold of the camera and ran around yelling for people to say "cheese" so a lot of these pics are ones he took.
It was way too short of a visit, but my sister was already waiting for us in Kansas so we just couldn't stay any longer. We all ate breakfast together the next morning and headed on home. The drive back was good and quick which was nice, but Luke was very sad when we took the silver car back to the rental company. The next day he told me, "Mommy, I think we need to go get that silver car, it is super fast!"
