TEN! - Part I

A couple of years ago (boy, time flies - how many times will I say that, really) I was planning a little getaway just for myself.  A weekend to take off and recharge.  While I was researching places to stay I found Thornewood Castle and it just happens to be within an hour’s drive of us.  I immediately fell in love.  Who wouldn’t?  I knew we couldn’t justify the expense for my little solo getaway but I asked Rob if we could start saving for our tenth anniversary.  Still I was dubious.  Would we really truly make it happen?  Well we did I’m happy to say.  And in true Julie fashion here I am MONTHS later to tell you about it.  LOL

First, my sister came to stay with the kids.  Apparently she brought a tent which she erected IN my living room.  Ha!  The kids definitely had a great time while we were gone!

Then Rob and I headed out.  Ah, sweet freedom!  We grabbed dinner out and watched a GORGEOUS sunset!

This house is not where we stayed but was across the street from the park where we watched the sun set and it was just too cute!

We not only got to watch the sun set but also a fog roll in and a lightning storm.  I didn’t have a tripod in order to catch the lightning though but that’s OK, it was still a great night.

Afterward we headed to “our” castle and we met by cozy robes and a huge heart-shaped Jacuzzi tub in our fancy little suite.

Off to edit more photos…

The Actual Vacation

I thought I should return quickly after the sad post so I can talk a little bit about what we did on vacation that was fun.  We did have a LOT of fun despite the stuff that was yucky. 

Our first full day we head down to a series of trails and take a walk and wade in the river.  Well, most of us wade, two of us ended up dunking themselves. 

Later we head to the pool.  Gabe prefers being under the water.  I’m so impressed with how well he did since it’s been a while since we’ve been in the water.

We had foaties and water wings for the other kids.  Every day they got more confident in the water.  Elias on the other hand was too confident from the start.  He was thoroughly convinced he needed neither floatie nor parent while in the water and was constantly trying to push out of our arms.

One night was went to the park next door but even though it was almost 6 o’clock at night it was still in the 90s and too hot for the kids to play long.

So we went and got ice cream.  I thought it was funny that Gabe chose mint chip, Rob’s favorite, and Zion chose bubblegum, one of my favorites, even though we so rarely go for ice cream that they couldn’t have known. 

Another day we went to a trail that used to be a water pipeline.  Zion grabbed an umbrella out of the van for portable shade, clever girl.

This bridge is actually the water pipeline cut in half so that you walk on the inside of the pipe.  The view is gorgeous.

It’s once again too hot to hike for long so we return to the trail head and play in the river.  Elias jumps right in.

I realized earlier today that I forgot hiking sandals so we had to stop at a sports store.  I ended up getting Vibram FiveFingers.  They look ridiculous and like they’d be more suitable as slippers than shoes for hiking but they were great.  I am terrible unstable on uneven terrain but these made me feel so stable and I was able to go right from the trail to climbing down boulders and then into the water and back to the trail.  Sweet!  (And do you see the fish by my foot, how cute is that.)

Zion and Gabe brought suits and had a great time in the river!

Another day we did a series of events, first mini-golfing where Elias got to golf for the first time ever, then we went to see Ice Age4 (super funny!) and then to the arcade to play games.  And it was very nice for us that all these things were at the same location.  Yay!

Gideon adopts a unique stance for putt-putt.

The kids loved the fountain.  I kept thinking that the little building behind it would make the cutest chicken coop EVER!

How a mommy golfs.

One of the employees took our picture.  Rob is sitting on the rock so he looks tiny and I look like a giant.  LOL

We end the day with a stop at a bakery that make only cookies.  And fantastic cookies they are!  Elias seems to want one of every kind.

That’s not all we did but I’ll save some for later.

Michigan

At the beginning of January Rob, Gabe and I took the chance to visit family in Michigan, namely Bill.  By that time we knew things were moving much faster than expected and that we many not have another chance to visit.  Zion, Gideon, and Elias got to stay with their “Tantie” while we were gone. 
The first day is all flying.  One of our layovers (yes, I said one of) is in San Francisco and we found this cute kids area that had interact science displays.  My favorite was the Aeolian wind tub, using the handle you can change the direction of the fan and watch how it effects the sand.  I want one of these in my house!

Eventually we land in Cleveland where we have a hotel for the night.  In the morning we start the 3 1/2 hour drive to Rob’s hometown.  On the way we see a trucker driving his semi with his knees so he can eat a sub sandwich.  A wee bit frightening.

The first day is all visiting with family but in the morning Rob and I go for a walk.  I wish we’d had more time because I’m in love with old barns, especially red ones, and you can find them in abundance around there.  Sometimes red sheds too.

Bill and Gabe play that game where they try to slap each others’ hands.  Goofballs.

Later we take a drive and even later than that we play games.
The next day is Sunday and we are invited to attend church.  The kids looked so nice I couldn’t resist a few pictures.  Codi, Tristan and Brook:

Then we wanted to show Gabe the local park where all the bridges are made out of cement.  It’s really interesting.

At lunch Tristan convinces me to try the meatball sub at Subway.  Mmmm, it’s been a long time.  Yum.
After that break we visit with Freda who was a grandmother figure to Rob when he was young.  She’s a firecracker!

Our last event of the day is to follow Codi to go visit her mom, Shelley, we were greeted by coyote howls and spooky trees – loved it!

Our last day, boy it went fast!  A few pics before we leave.  Rob and his brother, Carl:
Carl, Rob and Bill:

Bill’s wife, Joyce:

*sigh*  Too short, it was good to see family and especially Bill.  The only thing that’s left is another long day of travel home.  But God treats me with a gorgeous sunset on the way home.  It sure does last a long time when you’re flying west.