Spoiled

Our recent trip back to Indiana left Mike and I spoiled. Living away from everyone for the last couple of years, we haven't had many opportunities for date nights. Grandparents are the best babysitters! This trip offered lots of chances for us to get out. On our first night, Friday, we put the girls to bed and hit our favorite Morse Reservoir haunt, Wolfie's on the Waterfront. Saturday night we went out with some friends. Monday we went to a movie. I don't even remember the last time we went to a movie together! And Tuesday we took the boat out for some late night fishing. I don't think I've ever been night time boating when the lake isn't packed with boats from 4th of July fireworks traffic. I may solely boat under the cover of darkness (and the brilliance of the stars) from here on out! It really was relaxing.

Thursday afternoon, we staged a little getaway to New Buffalo, MI. This was our first time leaving Emily overnight. Not as big of a deal as the first time we left Ava, but still a big deal for me. Nonetheless, we drove North, knowing she was in the capable hands of her grandparents. I'm not much for casinos (I'm more likely to go to Vegas for a show than to sit down at a table), but we spent a few hours on Thursday night at Four Winds Casino . It's new and very nice. We stayed at a lovely hotel, The Harbor Grand overlooking Lake Michigan. If any of you are close and looking for a little vacation, this place definitely gets my recommendation. The beach at New Buffalo is pretty nice too. Friday morning we set out for the Warren Dunes. I used to love going to the dunes, but I haven't been since high school. When we pulled in, there was no one at the ranger station or whatever they call that check in booth. The road to the beach was closed citing flooding from the weekend before. My heart sank. I was so excited to show Mike the dunes. Luckily the road to the back of the dunes parking lot was open. When we parked, there was only one other car in the lot and that gentleman was getting ready to leave. We hiked up from the back of the dunes and when we reached the top it was gorgeous! We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. The best part: we had the whole place all to ourselves. Of course, I had to show off my dune jumping skillz. If you've never jumped down the dunes and you're able...you should! It's exhilarating. Way better that sliding or just trying to walk. I know I look totally silly doing it, but it was so much fun that I just didn't care.

It was still pretty early after we finished our visit to the dunes, so Mike hit the "recreation" button on our GPS and one of the possibilities that came up was Bear Cave. This appealed to our adventurous side and we decided to check it out. When we bought our $1 self-guided cave tour tickets, we were warned that we might not get to see the whole thing because 1) the bats were really thick and 2) the cave might be flooded due to the large amount of rain the area had received. We reasoned: We're here, let's see the thing. The pictures looked pretty cool. Then we opened the door to descend into the cave and bats swooped at our heads. We fled the cave stairwell and nearly had to abort mission. Then we regained our composure and mustered up the courage (hey-we spent a WHOLE dollar!) and headed past the bats and into the cave. About 50 yards in....we hit the flood. Short of climbing out again and hunting down the nearest Walmart for hip boots, we'd hit a wall in our caving excursion. Guess we should've taken in a winery instead! Clearly defeated we wiped off our shoes and jumped into the car and drove back to our sweet little girls.

So we were spoiled last week.

Here is a little video of our trip to the Dunes. I personally think that the footage of me "dune jumping" is hilarious. The last clip is from the cave stairwell. Hope you enjoy!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Accepting Gifts Graciously

In the past, Ava has opened gifts containing clothing with little enthusiasm. As in, she throws them aside as soon as she glimpses the contents of the package and says, "Another present, please." Hey, at least she says "please", right? And really, what should I expect, she's only 4. I on the other hand, tremendously appreciate these gifts of clothing. Ava's grandmas and aunts have been exceptionally generous in clothing my budding fashionista. I decided that it was time to have a talk with Ava about using her manners when opening gifts. The morning of her party, I practiced with her:
Me: What do you say when you open a present that is clothes?
Ava: (placing her hands on her cheeks with fake enthusiasm just as we've practiced) Oh my! I love it! Thank you! Thank you!
Me: Very good! Now remember that at your party today.

Fast forward to the party....
The first gift she opened was a little dress with leggings.
Ava: Oh my! I love it! I love!
Smiling a smug little smile I whispered: Very good Ava.
Ava: No mommy! I love it for real! Not pretend. I really, really like it.

I was so busted!

Indiana Trip

We're back from our trip and finally unpacked, so I'm taking the morning off to post on the trip and share pictures. Despite battling a couple of colds, we had an awesome time.

The morning of our departure, Ava woke up stuffy and miserable. Of course she was so excited for the trip that she was trying to act perky, but I knew she wasn't well. By Friday afternoon, we were on the road and Ava started grabbing her ear and complaining. Great. Another ear infection. Luckily, I called her pediatrician and she was able to call in a prescription to be picked up near Mike's parent's house. Saturday morning Ava woke up feeling icky but ready to celebrate her birthday at the Purdue v. Central Michigan tailgate. Purdue tailgates are one of my favorite past times and a tradition that I am happy to share with our kiddos. Sunday, we had Ava's official birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. I so miss the days when I could host do-it-myself birthday parties in our home. Unfortunately, living so far away from everyone does not lend itself to this tradition. Ava, of course, could care less. She loves Chuck E. Cheese! She had the best time. Unfortunately, by Sunday morning, Emily had caught Ava's cold she she was a runny, coughing, sleepy mess at the party. Poor baby. On Monday we met my sister in law and nephews for lunch and hit Carter's and Keystone Mall for a fall shopping trip. Tuesday, the girls and I explored the Indianapolis Zoo with their Grandma Pammy. I know that Mike was having a good time too. He hit the golf course with his dad and brother on Monday and spent Tuesday boating and fishing the day away. On Wednesday we headed up to my parents where Ava loves to run wild and free on the farm and sit around the campfire before bed. Thursday and Friday Mike and I went away and my parents watched the girls. Ava had her first sleepover with cousin Riley. When I called to check in at nearly 10 pm they were drinking root beer and running around the lawn playing spaceship. My, how parents change when they become grandparents! On Saturday Mike, my dad, Mike's dad, his brother, my sister Angie's husband Dave, and I trekked to South Bend to cheer on the Boilers (a fruitless effort) as they took on Notre Dame. We wrapped up our trip on Sunday at my niece Ella's baptism and made it home by dinner time.

It was a wonderful trip and so good to see all of our loved ones, but as always, it is so good to get back into our normal routine and sleep in our own beds!

Here is a link to the pics of the trip:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbNnDlq4ZN2LV