We enjoyed a very full, fun Labor Day Weekend! We set off to visit some of our friends in Indianapolis, but we had some field trips on the way! First stop, the Levi Coffin house. He was a Quaker who opened his house as major hub on the underground railway, helping over 2,000 slaves escape. The kids listened intently on the two hour guided tour of the home. This photo shows the guide talking to them about hiding slaves in between the mattresses...
The next field trip was the Indianapolis Museum of Art! Unfortunately, it was almost closing time when we arrived, but we just HAD to see the Van Gogh painting since we are studying him in art appreciation now. The kids were very disappointed that we didn't have time to linger at the museum. I need to get them to another art museum soon! (And thankfully most art museums are free so it was OK that we only had a few minutes. :)
After dodging some rain (or should I say getting completely drenched?!), we did some sightseeing downtown, then enjoyed this park with the most interesting swing-set:
Once we arrived at our friends' home, we enjoyed hours of laughter, sharing, eating, praying together, and watching our kids interact like cousins - picking up right where they'd left off since the last visit two years ago! We spent Sunday afternoon at a local community center that had not just a pool, but a lazy river, water slides, and splash park!!
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| Floating along the lazy river |
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| Easton was all about the water slides! |
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| Clayton, Calvin, & Easton |
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| Just this little water playground could've kept them busy for hours! |
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| Dan made sure Emmery got in on all the water fun |
Three year old Hudson is one of the sweetest little boys you'll ever meet. He was such a gracious playmate to Emmery and shared everything with her. When he reached over to pat her super cool hair, she put up with it for a bit and then informed him, "No touching hair," and he immediately honored her request. And when she went to give him a kiss goodnight, he patiently stood there while she kissed each cheek and then rubbed noses with him (her regular kissing routine these days. :)
The big kids engaged in a lively game of Monopoly...
We got to spend some time at a beautiful park with amazing gardens.
Half their lives ago, when Dan & Jeff were college buddies and playing soccer together, did they ever imagine walking through a park with their families together, both of them carrying their fourth-born babies in back-packs?
Emma and Abigail thoroughly enjoyed their time together - talking, drawing horses, and even filling in as greeters at church on Sunday!
All the kids were begging for more time together when the end of the weekend arrived.
Can you tell they felt quite comfortable together? :)
We were so blessed to have this weekend of refreshment and encouragement with friends who love Jesus and are seeking to follow Him each day. Thank you for your gracious hospitality, Jeff & Ade! We love you guys!
And, much to Abigail's delight, the giraffes were still out!
The biggest attraction of the day was the animal sculptures scattered throughout the zoo. I think our kids climbed on all of them, and Emmery showered them with the affection she seems to have for all animals. :)
After we left the zoo we headed to a friend's house to pick apples and pears since they had more than they could use. Such a blessing! Right now the big kids are busy prepping apples for a crisp for dessert tonight. Just one of the beautiful parts of autumn.
The next field trip was the Indianapolis Museum of Art! Unfortunately, it was almost closing time when we arrived, but we just HAD to see the Van Gogh painting since we are studying him in art appreciation now. The kids were very disappointed that we didn't have time to linger at the museum. I need to get them to another art museum soon! (And thankfully most art museums are free so it was OK that we only had a few minutes. :)
After dodging some rain (or should I say getting completely drenched?!), we did some sightseeing downtown, then enjoyed this park with the most interesting swing-set:
Once we arrived at our friends' home, we enjoyed hours of laughter, sharing, eating, praying together, and watching our kids interact like cousins - picking up right where they'd left off since the last visit two years ago! We spent Sunday afternoon at a local community center that had not just a pool, but a lazy river, water slides, and splash park!!
The big kids engaged in a lively game of Monopoly...
We got to spend some time at a beautiful park with amazing gardens. 
Emma and Abigail thoroughly enjoyed their time together - talking, drawing horses, and even filling in as greeters at church on Sunday!
All the kids were begging for more time together when the end of the weekend arrived.
Can you tell they felt quite comfortable together? :)
We were so blessed to have this weekend of refreshment and encouragement with friends who love Jesus and are seeking to follow Him each day. Thank you for your gracious hospitality, Jeff & Ade! We love you guys!
