Indianapolis Trips

I believe it is mostly family who follow our blog at this point, so I won't apologize for the number of pictures.  Dan and I had been wanting to take the kids to Indianapolis for quite some time and Sylvia was even asking us when we'd go.  Granny has come to visit us many times recently so we hadn't made the trip there in quite some time.  We knew that Granny wasn't feeling well, so we planned a trip in January.  The kids enjoyed watching movies in the car.

We played and explored at Granny's house while we were in Indianapolis.  Riding the elevator chair was by far the favorite thing to but other top runners were looking at the snow globes, carousel and other decorations, watching TV, jumping around and playing harmonicas in the basement, and playing outside in the snow.

We toured a bit of the city, spent an afternoon at the children's museum and took the kids to the circle monument.  Sylvia and daddy climbed the stairs to the top while the boys and I rode the elevator.  We also visited Granny in the nursing home and later at the hospital.  We read books, sang songs and Sylvia stopped us at the gift shop before leaving so she could buy Granny a balloon.  Before leaving, the kids all gave Granny hugs and kisses and she once again told Dan to take care of all of us.

Granny's health didn't improve and we returned to Indianapolis at the end of February to celebrate her life.  Although it was a difficult time, it was wonderful to see family.  Sylvia wanted to share during the service that Granny loved watermelon and gave good hugs.  Dan also shared when he took Sylvia up.  He talked about how he'll always remember how in love Granny and Granddaddy were and that she didn't have a critical bone in her.  We love her and miss her very much.

Before leaving town, we took the kids to The Indianapolis Museum of Art.  The fountain was on despite the cold.  We checked out an art bag which included drawing paper and crayons as well as some shape blocks.  Sylvia studied a picture of a horse and made a drawing of it.  We also played in the interactive kids room.  On our way home, the kids shared a red slushy during a gas station stop.  It was a bit of a race to see who could get the most before it was empty.

Granny in August

We love Granny and are so glad when she is able to come visit.  It's fun to watch her just enjoy having the children around.  She also tries to get her hands on them any chance she can get but they don't sit still for long.  Jim's twin cousins, Mary and Maudie were also visiting.  This August, while Granny was visiting, we reintroduced her to my grandma.  Granny and Great Nana may have met at our wedding but we don't think they've seen each other since.  They are both 94 and their birthdays are just a week apart.

  

Broffitt visit

Aunt Ginny came to for a wedding planning visit at the end of May.  Granny and Kecia were able to come at the same time.  We had a few family meals together, did a bit of wedding work and Sylvia got to show Ginny how she'd been practicing to be a flower girl.

Granny

We enjoyed another visit from Granny at Thanksgiving.  Dan's cousin Kecia was able to join her this time.  We're so thankful for all the time we get to spend with family.

Granny's August Visit

Granny came to visit us again in September.  Maudie and Dillon were also here for part of the time.  We enjoyed a few meals together, spend time at Nana and Papa's as well as our house and went to story time at the library.  We love it when Granny comes to visit!

 

 

Granny brought along a new monkey and elephant for the kids to share.  They have become fast favorites among the stuffed animals.

A Visit from Granny

We enjoyed a visit from Granny at the end of April. A cold was cycling itself through our family so we didn't spend as much time with her as we would have liked but we enjoyed what time we did get. Granny was able to meet Drake and tell him how much she liked his name. It is her maiden name as well as Papa's middle name.  We were so thankful Granny was able to come visit.  It's wonderful watching her enjoy her great grandchildren.

Granny isn't able see well and read books so she and Sylvia listened to a book on tape.  Sylvia picked out Fourth of July Mice.

Granny supervised the play dough time before dinner at Nana and Papa's.

Eric loves to pull up the booster seat and listen to Nana and Papa's bird book

Sylvia loaded up her little suitcases with gifts and cards for Granny.  The gifts mostly included pens, crayons, paperclips and pieces of paper.  Granny also brought a gifts for the kids.  Sylvia and Eric loved getting Thomas the Train and Angry Bird balloons.

Drake getting some love from his namesake.

Looking at pictures and telling Granny about our trip to Dubuque last year.

Sylvia singing Bushel and a Peck to Granny.

Granny's Visit

We love having Dan's Granny come and visit. The kids enjoyed playing with her at Nana and Papa's and at our house. Granny can't see well anymore but she loved giving hugs and kisses to the kids and snuggling with them when they'd sit still for her. We wish we all lived closer and could see each other more often.


We made apple lips for dessert at Nana and Papa's.