Indiana 2013

I am so far behind on our blog it's a little overwhelming to catch up.  But this is a start!

March 19-27

We took an early Spring Break with the kids and headed to Indiana to spend time with Jill's Grandma Rea and family.  Rea had taken a turn for the worse and Jill wanted to help where she could along with visiting family.

PDX...Here we are!

Flight was uneventful other than none of use really slept like we should have for a night flight.

We arrived to find our ride....REALLY?!

Of course we played it cool like, "Yeah, we live like this every day."

Yup!  Not only did we have the wonderful man holding our sign but we rode in style to Gma Rea's!

Both kids GLOWED.

Cole: Well this is one thing off my bucket list.

Mom: You have a bucket list at 10?

Grandma Rea

She was staying at a hospice center while she was getting her medication's regulated and some of her strength back.

The kids needed to stretch their legs after the plane ride so I took them to a water park while Oma stayed with Rea and family.

Couple good hours of fun and they were worn out finally!

Along with the family visiting we caught a few sights.

YEAH!  Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum.

Along the sidewalks around this factory were home plate plaques and bat sculptures of some of the famous Louisville Sluggers themselves

Looking though our photos I guess I though Babe Ruth was important so we have all kinds of photos of him or his bats.

The kids holding a replica Babe Ruth bat.

Our Home Run looks!

 

A little AAGPBL history too!

As much as Jo enjoys baseball (not very much) she actually really enjoyed this tour!

I did mention that I took a lot of photos of Babe Ruth?

This is one of his real bats.

While on this side of the river Oma grabbed a Geocache.

Coming back to this area and staying longer doing the tourist thing is now on our to-do list.

We then headed towards Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial for a little more history and education.

Um...Santa Clause town?

Who knew?

And Santa selling liquor just made me laugh.

Definitely "Old Time Liquor" if Santa is selling it.

And to Lincoln!

We didn't time this visit very well (through a time zone we didn't know we would pass through) as you can see the place was packed with people!

No one here but the employee! We had 20 minutes before the building closed so we walked quickly and read fast.

I'd say we will have a better plan next time but probably not. It's always an adventure.

Cole thought that the bathrooms here were "Not Fair".

Left: Men's bathroom with sinks and toilets.

Right: Women's bathroom with a sitting room before entering the bathroom.

To Lincoln

Lots to look at, read and see for such a small building.

Gift from Cole to his classmates.

One of Cole's schoolmates asked for a gift from his trip.  "Even a rock would be neat" according to what Cole stated.  So here he is taking enough rocks for each student in class from the state of Indiana.

The living museum was closed but the grounds were open to walk around, so we did.

This is part of the hearth and foundation to Lincoln's Boyhood home.

(actually a mold of the original wood and stones)

And a homestead.

We imagine that during "normal hours" people would be dressed in period clothing in this area and giving some history and lessons of life back then.  But we just walked about a little and played with what we could.

Children's Museum!

What a HUGE MUSEUM!

And TRANSFORMERS!

We met up with Rich, Sandy, Nate & Caden (Jill's cousin & family) to play at the museum for the day. The kids getting along right away like they have known each other always.

Digging up fossils.

And then knocking over a Terra-Cotta warrior puzzle.

To put it back together again.

It was the time of Super Hero's while we were there.

Replica of Harry Potter's broom.

SUPER MAN CAPE!

Actually worn by Christopher Reeve in the 1978 Superman movie.

(Mom thought this was cool! "Stand here Cole so I can get this picture!")

A little dress up like a super hero!

Or a Super Tim Tebow pose.  It all worked.

Jo and Oma stood in quite a long line to get her face painted and she looked GREAT!

Until later that evening when it was time to wash it off.

Poor kido.  Skin reaction to the paint they used.

Tender and raw for a few days.

Speedway

The following day we went back to the speedway for a tour the kids could remember this time.

This picture was for Gma Marie as the kids are pointing out Danaca's name!

(and as you can still see batman outline on Jo's cheeks.)

While the kids and I took the bus ride around the track Oma grabbed a quick geocache.

We all had our fun.

Stopping at the start/finish line.

I love the history here and what they do to try and preserve it.

How awesome would it be to kiss those bricks?

Only one to the photo car this time.

Inside the museum of the speedway.

Gma Rea's home.

This is where we lived for most of our stay.

We were chillin' this day...

With a little house work too. 

Why just hanging on this day do you ask?

BECAUSE IT WAS SNOWING!

And we were LOVING it!

Of course we came totally prepared for snow as you can see.

We put socks on the kids hands (old time version of mittens) and sent them outside to throw some snowballs at each other and me.

They even built a snowman in the parking lot.

And after less than ten minutes out in the elements the kids were frozen and in need of hot cocoa! Good times!

We met up the Rich & Sandy at a play house with video games and such so the kids could run, laugh and we could visit.

Shouldn't this game be in a bar instead?

Jo had no problem standing for a photo with this game.

The last couple nights of our stay the kids and I stayed with Rich and Sandy at their beautiful home by a pond.

Jill stayed at the condo with her mother and Gma Rea as she was back home.

It was a lovely time all around catching up with family, listening to Gma Rea and her sense of humor, Jill getting to spend that last two nights with just her mother and Gma. A little travel and sight seeing for all of us.  And just being with and around family.  Always good.

We ended our trip as it began.

Limo ride to the airport in the wee hours of the morning.

And our flight home.

Saying goodbye to the snow and Indiana.

Until next time!

Thanks to ALL our family in Indy!

 Grandma Rea 4/28/24 - 4/25/13

Keeping up BS Style

Jo has been enjoying her taekwondo class and is quite good with her movements.  We laugh as her instructor informs Jo to curl her toes back towards her head while kicking as this is the opposite to what she was taught in her Circus Arts class.

She is gaining more confidence every class and like always making new friends.

A little sun will do ya, a lot of sun can give you a chin lift!

Yup.  Another cutting of basil cell cancer off my face.

I'm not in denial that this will be my last one.  But hoping that the next time maybe I'll be able to have a little face lift too.  One can only hope.

Cole's basketball came to a close and for the first time his team had more wins than losses. The official team name again this year was Beavers but his team renamed themselves to "Dream Team".

His last game in particular something clicked for Cole (#21) as he played his best game, scoring a few lay-ups along with a couple free throws. He also became quite aggressive grabbing a some steals and a lot of rebounds.  Overall the best season for Cole and basketball.

Music in School

As most know, music, art and P.E. in schools is minimal at most.  So at the kids school we have artists and music teachers come in for short periods of time teaching the kids.

This six weeks of Mexican music (Music teacher standing with Jo) was great as the kids played instruments that were all natural. Jo is playing a turtle shell while Cole played a drum made of wood and donkey-hide. They also played donkey jaw bones, clay flutes, water drum and goat toe-nail rattles.

A 1 beer window job?

Jo and I made a quick trip to help with Rachelle and Connie's RV window along with Janis.  The on-line directions stated that this job is a 1 beer job.

Well we managed to make this last at least 3, maybe it was 4 beers?  I'm sure it would have only been a 1 beer job if the sunshine hadn't been out warming us up.

These three ladies are the best work partners ever.

Doug enjoyed digging after gofers while we were working on the RV window.

Oh he had such a good time!

47 Years

Jo baked (all by herself) my birthday cake this year.

Best cake ever!

How does 47 look on me?  The following day as I pulled into the grocery store parking lot and I realized how tired I was from the busy weekend.  The sun was shining down on the car making it warm and inviting.  I deiced that right then and there was a good time for a nap.  So I closed my eyes and slept in the front seat of the car parked at the grocery store for 1/2 hour.  I felt energized to get the groceries now and as I headed into the store I wondered how old I would have to be before some one thought I might have died in my car and called for help.

Jo in her new dobok uniform for taekwondo.

She as / is quite excited about this as you can see.

And then they broke out into dance.

They are so funny!

Jo wrapped up her art class and has asked to find other.

Though she was quite in class the teacher stated that she always participated including putting her drawings up for critiques.

Dark Angel

Jo drew this from looking at another drawing from a book.

Tossing in this last picture of Jo during her most recent class.

She is really having a good time and getting lots of encouragement from her instructors.

All about Jo

5 Minutes

by, Jo

Five minutes

to make a new friend,

people with different eye color,

people with different skin color.

So we know what they are really like,

and they know us too.

"They are not like us," may not be true.

Last year

people made fun of me.

Just because I have two moms.

I really like them.

My Moms' call Cole and I

unique.

Fife minutes

to make a new friend,

people with different eye color,

people with different skin color,

people with two moms,

people who were adopted,

maybe people with no moms at all.

Just give us five minutes,

so we can know what they are like,

and they know us too.

Five minutes.

Fur Elise

 (not view the video above in your email? please go directly to our blog)

February Activity

Yup, it's dark, cold and even wet outside but some BBQ chicken sure was a taste of summer to come.

Bring on the sunshine and warmth!

Teaching Cole how to use the dremel.

He thought this was cool and has started thinking of other projects so he can use the dremel more.

SUPER BOWL!

Designing the t-shirts.

No one had a "favorite" team this year so picking which team to root for was the most difficult part of the design.

Cole went with LaMichale James (Go DUCKS) while Jo again chose the team Cole did not.

Before Jo finished her shirt she jumped up with a "SHOOT!" and ran to her school backpack to present us with a forgotten birthday party invite.  Start time? 20 minutes from that moment.  She enjoyed the party much more than watching football and her t-shirt has still yet to be worn.

Lego Robotics

This is the first year for Lego Robotics club at school and both kids are having a good time. Their only complaint is that it's the first year and they wont get to compete.

Our district had a "Digital Learning Day" for teachers from all schools to learn new ideas and see what is being taught around the district.

Cole and one of his Robotic partners were chosen to demonstrate at the show. Needless to say he was quite proud!

BFF's

We really enjoy the fact that Karly and Jo still get together despite their family moving away.

The only issue with their sleeping quarters for the night was that Xena (our cat) jumped onto the top and crashed the blankets in on them which caused a little scare and lots of laughter.  Good Xena!

And we can always count on the girls for some sort of baked goods!

Tie-dye cupcakes!  Yummy!

This doesn't happen too often any longer.

But the cuddling sure is nice when it does.

A little Valentine story:

Cole's class not only exchanged valentines but each student also had to write an appreciation for each of his classmates. Awesome idea!
As I emptied his backpack that day I not only found that he gave himself his own valentine card/candy & tattoo but he also wrote an appreciation of himself.
"Cole, I appreciate that I talk to much! Cole"
The majority of his class wrote that they appreciate his humor. I do too.

Asian Celebration

We spent a few hours wandering the Fair Grounds, snacking and trying out all the free activities we could.

Zany Zoo had a booth and both kids were able to hold this alligator.  Followed by Jo holding a snake or two and a lizard and all other animals she could get her hands on.

Cole took advantage of some origami booths.

He is actually quite good at this and not only folded this snake but also made a jumping frog.

Writing "Peace"

Jo: left = Jo's attempt, right = teachers

Cole: left = teachers, right = Cole's attempt.

Oma and Cole jetted off from the festival to baseball tryouts as not only Cole needed to be there but Oma is an official assistant coach this year so she had to help evaluate the players.

Cole is really excited for this season as he has set a goal for himself to make the 10 year old All-Star team.  We are doing our best to support him by offering opportunities around town but also walking that line of not pushing him and making it our goal for him.

At the end of this long day of food, sports and fun we brought two extra kids home as we ran into Karly at the Asian Festival and Cole brought one of his baseball buddies home.

Somewhere in this living room are four kids...

Not to many years left of this boy/girl mixed sleepovers (Oma was a good parent and stayed up until everyone was asleep).

Derpy - My Little Pony

Jo came home from school with a letter she had written to the creators of My Little Pony (MLP).  She was/is concerned that...well heck.  I'll just attach the letter she sent to MLP website. Let me state that I am proud that she had a voice and used it!

Summary: Save My Little Pony Derpy

"I really think you should put Derpy as one of the main Pony's, because I am a really big fan of her. I have a lot of Derpy pictures and seen Derpy in a lot of the My Little Pony episodes. There are a lot of fans of Derpy and I think Derpy is amazing and makes people laugh. Plus she is a really cute pony and she gives out the mail and that is even cuter! But the cutest thing is that she loves MUFFINS!!!
So that is why you should put her in one of the main pony's.
I heard that you might take Derpy off My Little Pony so if that is true please don't do that.
I Love MLP
Jo
age 10"