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!

Memorial Day Weekend 2011

We didn't have major plans for the weekend. Just some ideas that we'd put into action depending on the weather. The forecast looked great but it ended up being a big disappointment. Saturday I did manage to get my garden in and Matt mowed most the lawn before the storm hit. Uncle Jonny came over to watch the kids while Matt took me to The Carriage House for our 6th anniversary. It was a fabulous dinner! We're still laughing that the house Merlot cost $16/glass - but hey, you only celebrate your 6th anniversary once right?


Sunday we had planned on going to the antique show in Allegan and then hanging out at the cottage for the day (possibly even stay all night). But they were now calling for showers so we cancelled that plan. But Matt had a great idea and put up a tire swing for the girls. We just noticed the perfect limb a couple weeks ago. We had a great tire swing in the willow tree at the cottage that the girls just loved. Unfortunately the willow had to be taken down and therefore the swing came down with it. But hopefully the girls love this one just as well.

Eleanor tried the swing first and cried. Carolyn tried next and of course cried. Maybe the tire swing wasn't such a wonderful idea.
But they got over their fear and seem to enjoy it now.
The we all took a walk downtown for some window shopping and a trip to the hardware store.

We stopped at the hardware store for a new American flag. Fitting for the Memorial Day holiday since our old flag became tattered and needed to be taken down.

The hardware store is known to Carolyn and "Puppy Popcorn". She yells it daily as we drive past. Reason being, free popcorn and a dog named Henry.

The girls and Henry

Checking out the bird. Going to the hardware store is almost as cool as the zoo.

The kids playing Barbies - busted Hank!

Monday we finally saw the sun shine. So we walked downtown and watched the parade.

Hank was passed out by the time we got to Front Street

But the girls were excited

We saw our favorite babysitter, Nash, aka Miss Congeniality

And the hot rods went past and got Hank's attention

Candy!

After the parade we loaded up and went to Warren Dunes for a couple hours. The water was frigid but the slight breeze made it a great day to relax and play in the sand.

Hank in his beach tent

Mama and her sailor boy

Matt and the girls got crazy and went in the water