Trip to Indiana to see Grandpa & Grandma!!!

It had been almost a year since we'd been home to Indiana, so Johnny took us a few days after my birthday! We had such a good time! We spent most of our time at Grandpa & Grandma's house, but we did get to see many of the cousins/aunts/uncles too!

On the way there, we drove through Lafayette and West Lafayette...our old stomping grounds. I didn't take any pictures there, as we were all too busy saying , "Oh, remember that? Oh, look how that's changed! Oh, that was where we went for Emelie's b-day one year! Oh my - that whole shopping center is new!!! Isn't that the greatest spot in the world to eat?!?!?! There's the Farmer's Market!!!! Don't you just love this place?!?!?!"

On our way up 41, we saw these tall aerospace-looking things all over the cornfields. They are HUGE! We figure they are gathering energy from the wind. The farmers are probably loving the extra income from the monthly rent checks!

We visited Sam & April's house one of the first nights we were there. They were babysitting David and Tracy's children - so it was a night of fun for all the cousins....even Kim and Adrianna came up! April, Kim, and I had some fun "sisterly conversation"! :) I still say my sisters are my best girl-friends ever. From L to R, these are:

Adrianna Arnold, Audrey Nym, Kara Nym, Abby Goff, Emelie B., Brooke Goff, Andrea Nym.

Marissa holding April's baby, Zachary.

The girls had such a good time w/ Grandpa - lots of laughter and tickles all round!

Besides that, he tells/reads the best Bible stories of anyone! Someone needs to record them either on audio or video or both! My girls are mesmerized!

Here he was reading Rikki Tikki Tavi to the girls.

Chase liked all the ride-able toys!

Grandma tries to do individual "lessons" with each child...and they just love it!

Lots of great talks and interesting conversations....

Grandpa with Chase...Jessie reading one of Grandma's wonderful books!

One afternoon we went to David and Tracy's house (farm).

The girls enjoyed the goats and the kittens and the puppies, but

especially playing with their cousins. The time went way too fast!

These are all the kids from both families, except Courtney (David and Tracy's youngest).

Allison Ballenger and Kara Nymeyer (both 5 1/2 years old)

Deanna Nymeyer (11) and Jessica Ballenger (3)

Marrisa Ballenger (8) and Audrey Nymeyer (9)

Andrea Nymeyer (13), Emelie Ballenger (11), and Deanna Nymeyer (11)

Chase Ballenger (16 mos), Brent N. (7), and Bradley N. (3)

Playing in the barn loft!

Marissa makes adorable quilts. The cutest part is that she likes to sew a button on each "intersection" of the patches. This quilt was for Aunt Carolyn (Johnny's aunt). She had it almost finished before our trip, so she finished it at Grandma's house...and we delivered it to Aunt Carolyn Saturday night! Aunt Carolyn arranged a pool party for us that evening. What fun the girls had playing water volleyball and swimming! Sunday morning Uncle Bob made one of his fabulous signature breakfasts. This time it included a breakfast casserole and pecan rolls! FABULOUS and decadent!

We went to the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago w/ Sam and April Tuesday night. We brought a big meal for all the families staying there at that time. (April makes some amazing chili!!!) Our plan was to just drop it all off and then leave to spend some time downtown. Sam especially didn't think he would be able to handle staying very long. However, we ended up staying there a long time! The girls played in the playroom, dressing up, etc. The rest of us talked with some of the folks staying there, mostly with a very sweet woman named Rhonda, whose teenage daughter is very ill. See www.Carepages.com and put in the name Qat. Rhonda and Katherine were there when Sam and April were there w/ Kaylie....so there was a strong tie between them. Rhonda gave us a tour of the new home. (The old one was torn down to make room for something else several months ago...and the new one is so, so beautiful and spacious!) Then we talked and ate popcorn and April's chili til it was time to leave. :)

I will post more about the Ronald McDonald House and the rest of the trip in a later post. This one has gone on long enough! :)