Thursday, June 25, 2009

Our Indiana vacation...

So Gary and I took off last Friday evening to go visit my brother, Tom, and his wife Liz, and our nieces Jessica and Jodi. We haven't been to Indiana in the Summer in 8 years. The last time was for Tom and Liz's wedding. We go every other year for Thanksgiving and Easter, and they come home for Christmas, and usually 1 week in the Summer in August, so it was nice to go and catch up with everyone. I love Indiana, it's quiet, and laid back, and so much to do.

We left Friday evening about 9:00PM, and Gary likes to drive through the night because the traffic is light, and you can get there and still not really waste a whole day traveling. We got to Tom and Liz's about 6:00AM. We snoozed til about 10:00AM when we got there, and then visited with everyone for a couple hours and then we took off to Shipshewana. My favorite touristy part of Indiana. It's a little town full of shops, and cafés, and you park in one place and walk the town. Each house is another shop. We had a pretzel, and a cherry coke (the kind where they put the syrup in themselves) at the Mercantile, and unfortunately the chocolate shop that Gary loves had closed down-bummer! But it was nice, and not too busy, and we didn't stay too long. Had dinner with Tom and Liz and the girls at their house, Liz made some tasty lasagna, and we were in bed by 10:00PM. I think the driving all night was catching up to us.

We went to church with them on Sunday (Father's Day). They belong to Fairview Missionary Church. It's a big church, beautiful inside and out, they have a 18 piece band and the pastor is fun and upbeat. We went 2 years ago for their version of the passion play and enjoyed it then. For Father's Day they had a ll the Big Boy Toys in the parking lot- RV's, cars, tractors, etc. for all the Dad's to drool over, and the Father's got chocolate on the way out. After church we had lunch and Gary, Liz, Jessica, and Jodi and I went to Pokagon State Park, so the girls could go swimming. Tommy took a nap in the chair. It was in the high 80's and really humid while we were there. Really pretty park, and we had fun watching the girls in the water, it was a lot cooler near the water. Then we hit the outlets next door, just 4 shops so Gary could get some new work clothes. He's lost 50 pounds and is desperate for some new clothes. He came home with 7 shirts and 5 pairs of pants-cheap!! For our Father's Day I took Gary to Moe's in Fort Wayne. He may not officially be a Dad yet but he is a Dad to a lot of our students, and with the news lately of the review room, we deserved to celebrate a little. We're a cheap date, and Moe's is good food!! Grabbed a shake at Steak and Shake on the way home and that was that for Father's Day.

We drove to Fort Wayne on Monday and took Liz, and the girls shopping. Had a lot of fun, and Tommy grilled chicken for dinner, it was great. It was great to spend time with my brother and his family. the girls are growing up so quick, and we miss so much of their lives because we live so far away. I picked out fabric for a purse. Liz makes these amazing purses. She is a sewing genius!! We went for bike rides, and played badminton, played with the kittens, and watched movies.

On Tuesday we went to the big Shipshewana Flea Market. There are over 400 vendors at this flea market, and all sorts of deals. Jessica and Uncle Gary made shirts, I bought some what Gary would call, "happy crap". Liz and Jodi met us there a little later, and we had lunch together. A good time was had by all. It was HOT though. I forgot to put on suntan lotion like an idiot. I burn in 3 seconds when it's hot like that, but Liz had some in her bag and I bought a scarf to put around my shoulders and neck, and then I was fine. I got a little burned but not too bad. We got through 3/4 of the flea market and I had had enough-too hot !! So they continued and we went and got a pretzel and cherry coke from the Mercantile in the village-YAY!

Gary took a 3 hour nap when we got back from the flea market, and I packed up all our findings and goodies. We had dinner with all of them and we left to come home at about 8:00PM that evening. Again, Gary likes to drive through the night-less traffic. We got home about 5:00AM on Wednesday and had the rest of the day to chill out and relax.

We had a great time in Indiana visiting with my brother's family!!

I'll try to post some pictures we took when we were there!!

Have a great day!
~Alli


Uncle Gary and Jessica and Jodi


Jodi at the Pokagon State Park Playground


Jessica!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

They both are growing up. Jodi looks like you, Alli, when you were a little girl. Glad you had fun. Love, Heather

Gary and Allison said...

Yeah, I always say that Jodi and I look a lot alike at her age. Except she has blonde hair. It's really cool to see that.

Thanks Heather!!
Alli:)