Sunday...Day 6

Sunday we got up and hiked down to a waterfall. It was a pretty easy hike and once we got there the kids had a blast. We ate lunch at the lions club then that afternoon we went on another hike. We were told there was a cave you could go through. They didn't go the day before because it was too dark. So a group of 21 of us went with our flashlights. I was not planning on going but when we got there Easton said he wanted to go(Braden had already gone with the first group of people). I thought Easton would change his mind when we got close but he didn't...so we(me, Scott & Easton) went through. I have to say it was not the funnest thing I've ever done. In fact it wasn't much fun at all. I'm guess I'm glad I did it but I would never do it again. You climb through a pitch black tunnel that was not much wider than me. I was shocked that Easton did it. About half way through he said he was scared but once you are in there you cant turn around if people are behind you because there is not enought room for 2 people to pass.Thats Scott and Easton...don't let the picture fool you, without a light you couldn't see a thing.

This is the last hole we had to climb through to get out!!

Saturday...Day 5

Today started with breakfast at the Lions Club and a little corn hole.

Then we went back and Braden went for a hike with grandma and Scott went on a long run with Cara. Then we went back that night for dinner. We stopped on the way for a few pics!!

Here's a few pics from the reunion

A Little Stormy Weather

Day 4 we went swimming at the big pool. There is a one foot pool for the little ones then a huge pool with diving boards for the big kids(and adults). Braden had a good time jumping off the diving board. Grandma then took Braden and Easton to the hotel pool when we got back and taught Easton how to do a cannon ball.

He's getting very brave in the pool. He kept telling grandma to come closer. My mom would move closer and he would say,"No, move closer." She figured out he really meant move farther. After a full day a swimming we headed to the Stinesville Lions Club for dinner with the whole family. After dinner we were all hanging out outside when someone told us there was a big storm coming. We were going to wait it out there but then before we know it they are locking the place up. So we start heading back to the hotel and drive straight into the storm. Of course I was driving and freaking out the whole way. It didn't help that a tree had fallen right in the middle of the road. When we got back to the hotel everybody stood at the door and watched the storm. In California its not very often(actually pretty much ever)that you see lightning and here that kind of thunder. Easton sat on Uncle Johnny's lap and watched the "fireworks."

McCormick's Creek State Park

We got up and swam in Chicago til it was time to check out then made the 4 hour drive to Spencer, Indiana to McCormick Creek State Park where we will stay the next 5 days. It is absolutely beautiful here. We had dinner with the family and hung out a little outside. Grandma took the little ones on a walk to catch fireflies.

Canyon Inn

Pictures at Dinner

There was a big grassy area right outside the hotel. This was where we hung out alot of the time. It was nice because there was always somebody out there. At night, we would all be out there.Easton immitating his deer friend.I could be wrong but I believe he did this all on his own.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Day 2 we were off to Chicago to see the Cubbies!!! We were all fired up and had the kids singing take me out to the ball game. We had to drive about 5 more hours so we got to Chicago about 3 and checked into our hotel. These are pics in the hotel before the game.

From the hotel we took a shuttle to the airport/train station, took the orange line train to the red line train and got dropped off right in front of Wrigley field.

Easton, Uncle Kevin & Isabelle

The Cubs won!!! Best part of game was definitely singing Take Me Out To The Ball Game, led by Mike & Mike!!!! The trip back to the hotel was quite eventful. We took the red line train to the orange line back to the airport to find out we had missed the last shuttle. So...at 11 something at night here we are, 7 adults and five kids stranded. Luckily with the airport come taxis. We all piled into 2 taxis back to the hotel. A very adventurous day and the kids were all such troopers.

Roadtrip

This was day one of our 12 day trip. We left Monroe at noon and headed to Jackson to meet Scott. He was a little behind us so we found a McDonalds(the first of many) with a playground to get out and stretch our legs. We left there at 3:45 and drove til about 11:30 that night. The kids were very good and were entertained by movies, music, books and books on cd.

Fun at the Zoo

These are a couple pics from our trip to the zoo last week.

Isabelle loves her Braden

Easton,Cousin Amy & Braden on Wagon Ride

Hide-and-Seek

Isabelle in the toy box...she gets in but cant get out so she hollers, "MOMMY!" I know her tone now when she has gotten in/on something and can't get down or out. Notice the toys on the ground, she empties it so she can get in.

Easton in Braden's hamper. He likes to tell Isabelle to get in because she can't get out.

Isabelle in her newest hiding place! =)

When I got to her she was hanging out, I got a little closer and she sat back and gave me this look(like what are you gonna do?)