We are there- Indiana Summer Vacation 2011

Sunday we arrived in Madison. It was nice to be on Hwy 7. We went straight to Buddy and Carrie's new house for Mason's 10th birthday celebration. Their house is beautiful, just outside of town not far from where I grew up. They had a cookout with friends and family. We played an entertaining game of pick-up baseball with a wiffle-ball bat, kids sized gloves, a tennis ball and paper plates for bases. Boys vs girls ages 2-52. Mason, the humble All-Star, was genuinely shocked and amazed that Aunt Mandy caught his line-drive. Playing ball felt nostalgic.
Gage was passed around by many and loved by all. It was so good to play and visit. Seeing Buddy's kids was so fun. Kids grow so much in a year's time. Of course, mom and dad were there too. I love my parents.
 We gave Mason a Jimmer shirt. He liked it. Apparently he is cool in Indiana too among Catholics.

Monday we woke up top a house full of kids. Mom babysits Buddy's kids in the summer. We had donuts for breakfast and got ready to go to Papaw Donn's for swimming. We napped. We went to Mason's summer league baseball game and watched him pitch some and catch some, just like his daddy did. Dad was there too to watch. Meatloaf for dinner. Yummy how mom makes it.

Tuesday (was our 10 year anniversary) Mom made 50 pancakes and 3 pounds of bacon and there weren't leftovers that I remember. We went again to Papaw  to swim. Our friends from Kentucky came up to see us that evening. We went to the Downtowner for dinner and had massive cookies for dessert. We walked along the river and visited like old times. It was so nice to see them. It was hot and muggy, but the kids had so much fun playing in the tainted riverside.

Wednesday: Steve and Mason went out to stock the cooler with "refreshments" as they were called all week. We messed around at the house until George came to visit the grand kids. Everyone was spoiled with $10. By 2:30 we had a late lunch and naps before headed to Dad and Regina's new place. We got there about 5:15pm. Talk about an outdoor haven! They loved the creek! Cool water, living things. rocks, sticks and adventure. I would like to say they would stick around but I honestly couldn't say that. They probably would have wondered along that creek as far as it would take them if we didn't give them boundaries.
 The older kids loved the creek and Trev loved blowing bubbles. It was great to see Dad's side of the family and his new house. It fits he and Regina perfect!
After dad's, we got a couple of movies. After Trev FINALLY fell asleep, we watched "Just Go With It" and ate popcorn.We stayed up way too late.

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Thursday: I was up early with Gage. It was 4:35am MT. We went o McDonald's and to the car wash  to detox the van from the trip out.Later in the morning, Aunt Donna came to visit for a bit before we took on the Dollar General sore with 7 kids ages 8 months to 10 years. They all spent their $10 on water games and other junky treasures. We went home and ate. (Steve ran and got Chinese from his favorite Chinese restaurant in 3 states for the grown-ups.) After lunch, the grown ups filled a total of over 75 water balloons and set up the slip and slide and water games.That was truly so much fun. I think the kids will all remember that!
 For dinner, we had ham for dinner and corn on the cob. Mason had another game, but we skipped because of the record heat and opted for blizzards instead.
 Trev struggled falling asleep again. We watched "The Dilemma" and ate chips and salsa for our late night snack. Did I mention that I gained a good 5 pounds?

The boys love Uncle Steve!

An all-time favorite picture!

Friday: I slept in! Thank you Steve! Buddy and Carrie took the day off. We had a big delicious breakfast. We sunscreend the kids, changed our clothes and headed to Papaw's again with the whole gang. My cousin came too with her kiddos.Carrie miraculously got Gage to sleep at the poolside, and we enjoyed time visiting and playing with the kids. Cannon balls, watermelons, can-openers, ball-catch off the board, "Jack-pot", dive sticks, animal rescuers, water guns, beach balls, hand stand contests and throwing kids. shewwww. That was fun.

Grannie and Gage

Jenna and Bailey- fast friends

After that, Buddy and Carrie took the big kids and spoiled them to the core. Steve and I enjoyed just the 2 little kids and Rally's chicken wings. Yummo!
For dinner, we all met at Tapatio Mexican restaurant. Mom and dad and Buddy and Carrie and all the kids came.I thoroughly enjoyed that

Picture courtesy Jackson

. Afterward we went to see Aunt Donna at the hospital for a badly broken ankle/leg from a fall on Thursday. We went back to mom's and packed and visited. We were in bed by midnight...Zac still managed to pee the bed.Saturday" WE said our goodbyes and left town by 7:22am. That went way too fast!