Road Trip to Indiana

Zoe and I decided to help Pa make the 3-day road trip back to Indiana and spend the week there visiting. On the first day (8/7/09) of the trip, we stopped for a nice lunch that Pa packed for us. Zoe thought it was pretty cool to sit in the way back of the family truckster while eating her lunch. It was so very windy at this stop - in fact, it's always windy going across Arizona and New Mexico and Texas, everytime I've made that trip I've noticed the strong winds.

The 2nd day, we made it to Missouri and were able to take a quick stop to see our dear friend Lois at her skydiving place. Zoe watched a parachute be packed and watched Lois help "catch" one of the skydivers when they landed. We spent about an hour visiting with Lois and then we were back on the road a little over an hour to our hotel for the night.

We stayed in Lebanon, Missouri and the hotel had a pool. This was a very nice treat after 2 days on the road and another yet to go. Zoe has done great so far!

Day 3... on the road again. I love Missouri, it is so beautiful. This trip up I44 is the best. I took several pictures, missing these views (even with all the moisture in the early morning hours).

We arrived at Pa's house around dinner time and the Grabers arrived shortly after us. Zoe was THRILLED to see her Uncle Robbie, she went running to him with a huge hug, yelling his name through the kitchen. Uncle Robbie jumped right in and took Zoe for a bike ride.

On Monday, I had to work. Uncle Robbie and Samantha came down and took Zoe to the zoo and out for lunch. Allison came down and spent the day with me, talking to me while I worked. (Ali and I went and had Wings and Curls for lunch - my very favorite must-have while in Fort Wayne). Later in the afternoon, Rob and Pa took Zoe to the park to play and Samantha and Allison hung out with me. It was great spending the day with my nieces, they've grown up so much and are such great girls! I love the friendship that they share.

Later that evening, Aunt Gloria and Uncle Robbie took Zoe to Chuck E. Cheese. Zoe has never been there before and Rob and Gloria knew how much their girls loved going so they wanted to share that with Zoe. Uncle Robbie got up in the climbing tubes with Zoe and played with her... just like he always did with his girls. Such a kid!

On Tuesday, Pa dropped Zoe off at the Graber farm to spend the day with Uncle Robbie. I had to work again today. Uncle Robbie took Zoe for 5 horse rides (each being about 3 miles!), she got to chase Samantha's new ducks, helped with the horse chores, played games, played in the rain and in general, got to be a Graber for a day. She LOVED it! (I sent along a camera and Sam and Ali were nice enough to get several pictures for me)

On Wednesday, Zoe and I went and visited with my Nenee. Zoe warmed right up to her, of course. It's been awhile and I've missed her so much.

On Thursday, we went to the lake with Samantha and Allison. Zoe and Samantha "fished" for shells with their toes. Zoe ate her picnic lunch at the picnic table. Samantha had a friend come over and take us for a boat ride around the entire Lake James and Snow Lake. And later, she watched the girls on the jet-ski, she stood at the end of the dock yelling "COUSINS!!"

On Friday, we went up to the Graber farm to say our goodbye's. Samantha was leaving for Purdue in the morning and we were flying back to Arizona. We all wore our Purdue shirts for a family picture.

On Saturday, it was time for Zoe and I to fly home. We had such a fantastic week in Indiana; being with my family and enjoying the weather - I wasn't ready to go home yet. Although, Zoe and I both missed Dave so it was time. Zoe did pretty good on the flight, aside from losing her pink marker that rolled a few rows back. I had hoped she would nap a little, but I suppose I should have known better. She sure enjoyed the take off and the landing, she likes to go fast!