Pokagon

A year and a half ago, in November of 2009, my IU girlfriends and I along with our families met at Pokagon State Park in Angola, IN for our somewhat annual get-together. The park is absolutely charming with it's beautiful big lodge, hiking trails, Lake James, playgrounds, indoor pool, and craft room. And it's conveniently located for all parties. So we made it our destination for this years' trip as well.

When we got there Saturday morning we set up camp by the beach. We found a great spot with plenty of shade and a picnic table right at the edge of the beach. The only thing we were missing was a grill. Luckily the guys were more than willing to take the brats and a cooler of beer to the nearest grill and make us lunch. And the while, the kids played...

Elliot and Carter

Brooks, Jen, Michelle and Kate

The Babies, a.k.a. Hank, Kate & Brooks

Eleanor

Leah - I don't think she came out of the water all day

Blaise - doing some serious work in the sand.

Me and Hank checking out the beach

Kate and Hank enjoying each others company

Lunch Time! Beer, brats and chocolate chip cookies. Oh, and cold hot dogs for the kids. Whoops.

Blaise and Jan

Jeremy spent a lot of time on the beach playing with the kids

Carolyn and Blaise were good buddies on the playground. Though Carolyn was not setting a good example when she would run down the slide.

Kelly and Peyton

Carter, Eleanor and Leah. The girls made quick friends.

Jen and Brooks

Jan and Kate

Cute little Elliot thinking about taking a nap

Carolyn

Matt and Hank

Hank finally crashed out on some towels for a little cat nap

But he didn't sleep for long. Here he is LOVING the indoor pool!

Hank, post bath

The girls, ready for dinner.

We ordered a couple pizzas and went down to the lounge area in the lodge. After we ate, we put the kids to bed and the adults met in the 'adult room', the extra room we shared just for this purpose. We chatted and laughed for a while. I also put together a scrumptious breakfast casserole in my illegal crockpot. That along with coffee, fruit and muffins from Jen and we had quite the feast!

After breakfast, Eleanor really wanted to go to the craft room. The girls picked out a couple sun catchers to paint.

The we went out for one last look at the lake and a couple pictures before hitting the road.

Carolyn in her lovely "pouty face" pose

I love these kids! We hope you three remember these wonderful family trips. I can guarantee this isn't the last time we'll see Pokagon or my IU girlfriends and families!