Friday, July 25, 2014

My Other Car is a Camper

A couple of evenings camping in the backyard last year has turned into our a new hobby of cruising Indiana in our new camper trailer! Having grown up camping, this is exciting to me. Jeff, on the other hand, is learning the ropes....
Just kidding! He's a pro at backing up the trailer and setting up camp! Everyone seems to be enjoying our new hobby.


In fact, our newest puppy (a term a use loosely since he's 70 lbs. at 8 months...) thinks this is a normal way of life. He loves our trips!


We've enjoyed several trips already this summer with 6, yes SIX, more planned into the fall. 
That's a lot of s'mores and family time. 

And one more picture....


Alydia wanted to celebrate her 10th birthday with a camping theme, so momma make this fun cake!

Happy Trails!

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Tri--ing Triathlons!

It's been a great start to 2014! Jeff & I are now officially triathletes! We officially completed three triathlons this spring.

Our first was the Lifetime Indoor Tri in March. This was our stepping stone to triathlons. Lifetime offers a unique event, indoors, which doesn't involve packing up any equipment or worrying about transitions. It was a simple concept of 10 minute swim, 30 minute bike and 20 minute run. We were able to complete our first multi sport event experience (phew!), but not worry about bike issues, riding on the road, weather, transitioning, etc. For anyone wanting to try the sport, I highly recommend Lifetime's Indoor Tri event!



Our next triathlon was our first outdoor event, however we were lucky to find a mini triathlon which a short, beginner distance. Most triathlons are sprint (.5 swim, 12 mile bike, 3.1 mile run) or olympic distance (1 mile swim, 25 mile bike, 6.2 mile run). This shorter distance event allowed us to practice our transitions while competing. I always have a fear of having bike issues (flat tire, dropped chain), so I needed practice to reassure my nerves! The only issues we both had was some confusion on the route, but we successfully finished! While putting our bikes back on our car, I heard my name over the speakers for top female finisher in the mini tri! I literally shoved my bike at Jeff and took off running! I couldn't believe it! But, to remain humble, this was the beginner tri, not the sprint tri. So there were a lot of females faster than me, just not in my event. Jeff also placed as fastest male in his age group. Our work paid off!



Finally our most recent tri, was the Cicero Triathlon, our hometown triathlon. It was our first sprint event and open water swim (no clear pools, but a murky lake!) The men and women had a staggered start, so I never got to see Jeff during the event. However, at the end, we were SECONDS apart in our finishing time. We both placed average, in the middle of the participants, but this was the most rewarding event so far. We did it!



Stay tuned for more events at the end of the summer!

Monday, April 14, 2014

Meet Scout (AKA Scouter Chops)

We adopted newest family member, Scout, aka "Scouter Chops" in March from Central Indiana Lab Rescue.  He's been such a great fit! He's good with kids, cats and doesn't go crazy over strangers or the UPS. Win, win for everyone! Although I still have a hole in my heart for Willow, who passed unexpectedly last November, it's nice to have a new puppy in the house!

He brings out the puppy in our old man, Hunter

Lifeguard dog on duty





Thursday, September 5, 2013

92 Counties....Been There, Done That!

Look at the perfect Indiana shape!
We visited all 92 counties in 19 months.

Yesterday we completed our family goal of geocaching in every 92 county in Indiana. We saw so many new places! It's surprising how different Indiana can be from one place to the next.

Looking back, I complied a list of my top favorite Indiana places -

1. Madison, Indiana - A beautiful river town with lots of history!

Looking for a geocache outside of a Madison winery

2.  Nappanee & South Bend - We went during Nappanee's fall Apple Festival, then ventured up to Notre Dame's campus. It was a perfect time to visit!

Near Notre Dame we visited the gravesite of
Jeff's great, great, (maybe another great?) uncle.

3.  The drive from Bloomington, French Lick & Holiday World - Oliver Winery's scenic property, West Baden Springs at French Lick, the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand and their monastery and topped off with camping at Camp Rudolph!

The pond at Oliver Winery

4.  Indiana Dunes - The lakeshore and Indiana Dunes were a fun stop. We also collected some really cool flat lake rocks.

Overlooking Lake Michigan from the Dunes
5. Berne, Indiana - We visited during their summer Swiss Festival. It was a quaint little town with a big festival. Lots of Amish nearby as well.

6. Purdue University's campus - Because what alma mater doesn't like venturing on their old territory?!

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Back to School!

Today I sent a 4th grader & Kindergartner off to school!

Seems like just yesterday
I had a kindergartner and a one year old!

Heidi loved her first day of kindergarten.
In fact, she begged to go back tomorrow!

I remember when Liddy was a kindergartner.....


But now look at her! She's a little lady!

Friday, June 28, 2013

More Creatures!

I think we've seen more creatures all week than I can count! Here's some fun finds...









Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Our Naturalist

She will find it, pick it up (except the snake!) and examine it! She has a critter radar! This is all within 2 days...