Best. Trip. Ever. I was able to take Ellie back to Indiana for 3 1/2 weeks and it was awesome! Landen was able to join us for the first week and I was so glad he had vacation time and was able to go. We had so much fun. My parents showed us a great time!!! They gave us a real vacation and it was much needed. We packed so much into that first week since Landen was there too. It started out with a family party with all of my siblings. It is always great to get together with everyone. All my nieces and nephews are getting so big. It's ridiculous. We had a blast just hanging out and talking and playing games.
Ellie's First Plane Ride: She did awesome!!! On the way home I was alone with her and she was perfect. The people sitting around me said they had never seen a baby not cry on a plane. Good job, Ellie!
Family Time! PIT is a must...and it gets crazy!
Mom and Dad took us on a roadtrip and it was awesome! I love that Dad is old school and uses maps still :) We headed to Illinois to visit Carthage Jail and Nauvoo first. It was so great to be able to visit these historical church sites again, it's been a long time for me. It was Landen's first time. I'm so grateful we were able to go. I love the Spirit you feel in these places. It always strengthens my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the early members of the Church. I'm so grateful for the sacrifices they made so that we can have the Gospel today. We are so blessed! My favorite part was going to the Nauvoo Temple to do a session. Dad was kind and stayed with Ellie at the hotel so Mom, Landen and I could go. It was beautiful!!! This has become one of my favorite temples. It is gorgeous on the inside. Wow. What an incredible opportunity to go!
We then headed to Chicago for a Cubs Game! Oh it was so great to be at Wrigley Field again. Another first for Landen. The weather was perfect! Ellie had a blast too! She is so darn cute. Of course the Cubs lost...in the 9th inning...I would not expect anything else!
From Chicago we drove to Michigan to Aunt Ellen and Uncle Dale's to spend the night. The next day we went to Columbia City to Aunt Carol and Uncle Mike's for a family party. Ellie finally got to meet her Great Grandma Barrell. 4 Generations :) I'm so glad Grandma got to see Ellie, I'm not sure when the next time will be. We also got to meet baby Claire!!! (Goeff and Chelsey's little girl) Ellie wasn't sure what to do with her... It was really fun day with family.
I always have to get a few pictures of HOME. It is gorgeous this time of year!
I was able to go visit Theresa and we took a few laps around the lake on the boat. It was beautiful! It was so good to catch up! I love hanging out with good friends. A few days later I got together with Theresa, Nikki, Kelly and Linda for some card action! It's not a trip home without a good game of Shanghi Rummy!!!
The last Saturday I was home we watched Bailey, Camryn and Parker and they spent the night. We had so much fun. I still can't believe they are getting so big! We played battleship, foosball, arcade basketball, Spot It, Guesstures and Word on the Street! Such a fun night. Those girls are crazy!
This next picture is significant because Grandpa kept trying to feed Ellie solid food! Ha!
Well, I was so sad this trip came to an end. Seriously sad. I love being home with my family. I'm so grateful I was able to be there for so long this time. What a blessing it was. I figured if I was spending the money on a plane ticket I might as well make it worth my while. And it was totally worth it! Thanks, Mom and Dad for making it such a great trip! We love and miss you!
