Take a little trip...

We recently found out that we are having a girl, so what better way to get 'geared' up in pink (because everything we have for a baby is blue!) than to hit one of our favorite outlets...the one with Pottery Barn. Enough said.

We hit the road for a little trip across the border into Ohio for the weekend. It was a quiet trip, the best part about the drive was the horses...we were behind a truck pulling a horse trailer. I noticed right away that the trailer's windows were open, which I found odd. Then suddenly, out pops a horse head! Then another! Then another! And just as quickly as they'd appeared, the went right back inside, like a turtle hiding in its shell. Then, as we are getting closer, all three horses pop their heads out the windows again! In unison! And back in! In unison! This continued for so long that Cary and I both were laughing hysterically, so much so that I had tears rolling down my face. I quickly grabbed my phone to take a picture and could barely hold still enough to snap one. We could not stop laughing. McKinley was in the back seat begging to know what was so funny, but we were laughing so hard we couldn't even explain until we were side-by-side with the horses, who were still doing their funny head popping game. We drove beside them for a while, laughing hysterically, as we finally passed the truck we discovered the driver was laughing just as hard as we were and waved. Those horses were so happy and just precious, it was such a good laugh for us all.

We settled in for an evening of swimming and a fun dinner together despite the yucky, cold rain. It was a nice evening, we got rested up for a whole day of shopping the following morning. For some reason the weather wasn't so nice to us, it was really cold. Low 40's and we were unprepared. Fortunately I purchased a maternity coat while we were shopping and we were able to let McKinley use the coat to bundle up. It was a funny sight but man am I glad we had it!
By the time we had to head home we were all really ready to crawl into the warm car with some hot chocolate and hit the road. We had a super fun getaway and enjoyed some relaxation time together.

Lynn

A Weekend Adventure

To continue our annual month-long celebration of McKinley's birthday, we headed to French Lick for the weekend. We all had a total blast at the city's water park and hotel Big Splash Adventure. Well, a blast except for the rash of flies that seemed to be at every eatery in the city. Yuck.

We swam, we slid (okay, well, I didn't...not a good idea to go peeling down a giant 3 story slide while pregnant...), we played in the outdoor pool and went around on the lazy river 3,413 times. Honest. It was awesome. We broke only to find fly-free food or to sleep, visit the historic resorts of West Baden and French Lick, or to hit the nearby train museum.

We had one little incident where some teens were literally making waves in the lazy river and got it going so hard that they knocked McKinley right off his raft. He was fine, but I was hot. When I was done with those little stinkers they left! I remember being "young" like that, but I would like to think I didn't act like that. Aside from that brief mishap the trip was super fun. And we even made a stop a "McKinley's Market" in Oaktown...which is where my Grandfather (Clarence McKinley Crecelius, McKinley's namesake) was born! A great little escape on a long weekend. I think the photos say it all!

Happy Summer!!!!!!!!!

Lynn

Zoo Trip

Another fun trip to the zoo! This time we briefly met up with my friend Kylie and her two boys. They had a blast in the splash park, which was perfect because it was a HOT, HOT day! When I pulled my camera from my bag I bumped the setting, didn't have time to check because I was trying to capture some real cuteness, so the photos of the boys ended up blue! Honestly, kind of a cool mistake!

Kylie and company left shortly after the splashing, but McKinley and I stayed to close the place down...surprise, surprise! We had so much fun together and even stopped off and had dinner in Plainfield at Panda Express, a favorite of ours. It was great to spend a little time with friends and even more fun to spend such a great day with my boy.

This was the first time since the new Tiger exhibit opened that we had a chance to visit and were we treated with a sight! Several tigers were up close and personal with us, much like the Cheetah exhibit. We even saw a Tiger stretch all the way up (and trust me, it was at least 8 feet worth of stretching...vertically) right beside the viewing glass. Another tiger took a drink from the stream, and another tiger paced back and forth checking out each person viewing. Very interesting, and a little freaky too...

And of course, no zoo trip is complete without at least one ride on the train!

Lynn

We pick, do U Pick???

I've been craving a way to really break into summer...some recent events have kept me inside and in bed and sick, so when I thought "U Pick! Strawberries!" I knew that would put me even more in the spirit and McKinley would love it.

I was right! We even convinced Mom to tag along, so I planned a quick trip to the grocery, packed a picnic lunch and we began our little road trip to a nearby U Pick farm.

We laid our little feast out on the picnic table and enjoyed the cool (okay, a little TOO cool) breeze while we ate salad, pita and hummus, yogurt, pop chips and dip, watermelon and cantaloupe...and a long-time fave of mine and McKinley's - Blood Orange Italian Sodas! Oh it was perfect. And delicious. And Mom even bought a little piece of cake that she and McKinley shared.

Once we were finished, we packed back up an hopped on the farm's golf cart for the worker to drive us to the patch. Honestly, I think the golf cart was McKinley's very favorite part of the entire trip. He was giddy as he rode in the front like a big boy. It was so cute!

We were assigned our rows and set out to work. We made quick picking out of it, Mom chose two small baskets and I chose the medium basket (which was about 5 pounds of berries). It didn't take long to fill them up, the three of us were plucking away! The berries were the most beautiful color...and the taste, OH MY GOODNESS I have never ever tasted a sweeter berry. We didn't add any sugar to them at all, they were perfect as is!

And if it tells you anything, McKinley was previously NOT a strawberry fan. So, why would I take him to pick them? Because I intended to use them in his smoothies and in ice cream, no actual berry to bite into, which is what is doesn't care for. However, he is a changed man! One taste of these suckers and he was hooked!

During the picking, a moment of perfect comedic timing happened when "Precious" the farm dog left her perch beside the employee and ran to befriend McKinley, just seconds after I pulled out my camera and started clicking. The dog KNEW I had a camera. Matter of fact she began posing in various ways: rolling on her back while laying on my foot and turning her head JUST SO. Lying with McKinley and looking back at the camera. And my favorite - her little sneaky way of capturing her good side in the shot with Mom and McKinley. What a diva! I turned off the camera and replaced the lens cap and poof! Precious was gone. Imagine that!

Once our baskets were full we headed back to the golf cart and to the stand to have our berries weighed. We tucked them safely in the hatch and headed home.

On the way there we made a stop at Cary's office where he had just arrived. The four of us stood, hatch up, eating those strawberries right there in the parking lot! Holy Moly those things are so good!!!!!!!!!

Today was awesome. The perfect way to put me back in the summer spirit! Here's hoping we'll be back soon for more strawberries and then blueberries!

YUM!!!

Lynn

Birthday party and a new friend for McKinley

We traveled to my Godparents home for Shelby's birthday party. I cannot believe she is really 14. Not cool. She is so not a little girl anymore, but a sweet young lady...but still, it makes me feel old.

Anyway, we had a lovely time with everyone. The food was great, the company wonderful as always, and the cake? Yum. But it was McKinley who really cut loose and had the time of his life...running after a long-legged girl.

Her name is Clara. She is the youngest daughter of good friends of Shelby's parents. Clara is 4, an older woman.

This was not the first meeting between McKinley and Clara, however it was the first time they took notice of each other.

McKinley had been standing in the kitchen of Honey's house, with his lame parents trying to figure out what he could do to liven up the joint. Then she walked in from the back yard. His eyes lit up. She stopped in her tracks with a stand-offish look on her face. He said:
"My name is McKinley. It starts with M-c-K-i-n-l-e-y"

Clara, still with that look: "My name is Clara, it's C-l-a-r-a"

He'd met his match!

McKinley: "I'm 3 and a half"

Clara: "I'm 4"

McKinley: "Let's go!"

Clara: "Okay!"

and that was the last I saw of my boy, except the occasional streak of two bodies blazing by.

They chased each other, they visited a nearby coy pond, they swung on a porch swing, the skipped rocks with Cary, they made new friends with the neighbors, they did it all.

McKinley was out of breath trying to keep up with Clara's really long legs, but he was a champ!

They ran and ran and ran until Cary and I were literally at our wits end ready to scream because McKinley wouldn't even listen and the kids were running through neighbor's yards (which was okay with the neighbors but not a common practice for the Vernon's...call us strict, I guess).

The evening ended with two very happy, very tired children.

We had a great time with Shelby and family, and really enjoyed watching McKinley make another new friend.

Lynn

Ticking some Teeth and jumping around

It's Spring Break! That means F-U-N for McKinley! All in one day we packed in the Zoo, a Dental Visit, a Jumpy-Place visit and dinner at a pizza place where a train delivered our drinks. We were all exhausted afterward but what a fun day.

The zoo was good to us as always, and it was so nice to have Nonna along for the ride...train ride! We didn't get to see many animals because we again stood in a very long line for the train, but who cares because it was a beautiful day and our boy was smiling from ear to ear. He insisted on sitting with Nonna during the train ride - precious.

Soon we were back in the car heading for McKinley's dentist. Upon our arrival McKinley promptly headed for the basketball court. Yep...BASKETBALL COURT at a pediatric dentist. Nice. We played together, then McKinley was ready for his cleaning. The dentist called it 'tickling some teeth', which really stuck with McKinley and made him giggle. I'm so proud to report that those sweet little chomps are flawless.

Cue us jumping back in the car to head to the 'jumpy place' where I surprised McKinley by meeting up with Robin, Savannah and Austin. It's a good thing we were at a jumpy place because he was a jumpin' when he found that out!

The kids played (i.e. slid, jumped, bounced, climbed, weaved, shimmied) for over an hour. Well worth the price of admission...and an excellent way to work up an appetite!

Again...back in the car to the pizza place. McKinley officially thought this place was the bee's knees. Train stuff EVERYWHERE. A locomotive and cars were lined up in rows where we would sit and a miniature train brought us our drinks. McKinley was a kid in a candy store. So much so that he could barely eat! Oh well, he had fun.

Soon McKinley will be back at school, so it has been so nice to spend this time with him all week, much like we did every day until he started school this year!

Happy Spring Break!

Lynn

Find the Good...find the good...find the good - POINT!

As I sat and attempted to collect my thoughts and plan of action, stranded with my son after our Murano suddenly died in the middle of a busy street behind the Indianapolis Airport, I thought this must surely be a joke. Matter of fact, I spoke those very words and McKinley replied, "What's a joke, Mommy? What's funny?"
Well, pretty much nothing about this is funny.
I immediately called my Mother - whom I was picking up from the airport - and informed her of what had happened. She had to take a cab to meet us, obviously NOT the original plan. After calling Mom, I began calling our dealership, the local dealership in Indianapolis, the warranty company and then Cary. I felt bad for calling him last, but I knew we were getting close to a Saturday closing time with ALL of the places that could help me. Cary was getting off work and left for Indianapolis right away.
Mom arrived at our car and after way too many close calls of idiot drivers (seriously, there are people out there who have NO business being behind the wheel), I called 911. Within just a few minutes TWO Plainfield police cars pulled behind us - lights blazing. They were BEYOND nice. Words cannot express what a huge relief they were to me as, internally, I neared panic with cars dangerously wizzing by nearly rear-ending us many times.
Not only did these officers offer to check out my car, they actually called ANOTHER police officer from the station to bring a charger for my battery (which was now dead...and after a valiant effort, didn't work). Two of the officers were called out and left, but the one lone officer vowed not to leave until Cary arrived or the wrecker arrived - or both if he could. He made good on his word. Over two hours he stayed with us, offering to put us in the police car to stay warm, because as with crazy Indiana weather, it had begun to SNOW. In early March. Super. We passed on the police car ride - never done that and hope to keep it that way at all costs! But the offer was much appreciated.
Cary arrived, I stepped out of the car and allowed myself to let a little stress go with him.
We all moved the car further out of the way and to make more room for the flat bed wrecker who was on the way after what seemed like a thousand calls to warranty companies, dealerships and more. By now we had three cars in this little area and it was freezing. The wrecker driver called and was behind due to traffic and the police officer was at the end of his shift, so we were left to wait a few minutes by ourselves. We bid the office farewell and thanked him over and over for his courtesy. I told him before I called I watched 2 state troopers and 2 county officers drive by my car without stopping and that I was so very grateful to him. He said he thought of his own wife and child at home and would hope someone would stop for them, that's why he does what he does. Nice!!!!!!
Finally, the wrecker arrived to tow us back to the Haute. He was so kind. When I explained that McKinley and I had never gotten lunch and had been stranded like this for over 3 hours he told us all to go sit down, relax, eat and take our time. He would wait for us at the dealership. I was so thankful for that...
When we arrived home, exhausted, I reflected on several things and was reminded of this funny book of McKinley's featuring 'Dug' from the movie "Up". In the book 'Dug', the dog, sniffs his way around to find 'the BIRD', repeating "Find the bird...find the bird...find the bird! Point!" many times. I sort of felt like 'Dug' at that moment, sniffing out to "find the good...find the good...find the good! Point!"
Well, after much consideration (and perhaps a tiny little pity party, with me as host), I was able to determine this:
Yes, it really stunk to be stranded so close to picking up my Mom (the ENTIRE reason for our trip), and yes it was cold, stressful and frustrating...not to mention expensive (hello, tow bill!). However, I found a lot of good in a bad situation. I got to spend the morning with my son, toodling around aimlessly at his very favorite store (Dick's) where he putted to his heart's content and got some new junior golf balls. We had a lovely drive, a fun shopping trip and spent quality time together.
Also, we got to see my Mom after 2 weeks away on vacation. She manned a napless McKinley while I tended to the car, police officer, many phone calls and traffic - she was a huge help to me.
As usual, I schleped a blanket, water, snacks and fruit, so we were covered as far as food, drink and warmth.
Our warranty company was able to schedule the wrecker and arrange delivery of our car and cover some of the cost of the tow.
Cary was able to come to our rescue and pick us up.
There's a lot of good in what happened. I'm thankful to have found it.

One of the best things was to have found NOTHING (yes, NOTHING) wrong with the car. I'd like to think she just got a little PMS-y with me. No doubt our car is a woman...she's still very young and refuses to show any age, she just didn't feel like doing anything that day. Let's just say that she better rethink doing that again.

Needless to say, we were unable to make it to Reagan's or Braelyn's Birthday Parties, so Round Two of the Birthday Adventures through Indiana has been cancelled. We will resume next March.
What a day!
Lynn

Dear Zoo,

See this face?

It pretty much sums it up...we've missed you so! It has been a long, hard winter, so our impromtu zoo visit, though short and without many un-cold-friendly animals, was so sweet. A wonderful taste of the spring and summer to come, full of many visits to one of McKinley's very favorite destinations.

The highlight of my day? This photo...

Despite the glare (because when you are trying to capture a poignant photo of a 3 1/2 year old and a cheetah, one must work quickly and forego some camera modifications) it still turned out pretty well. How many children can go face-to-face with a cheetah...well, safely that is. Unless you are Diego (from Go Diego Go for those who do not speak Nick Jr.), there aren't a lot of opportunities to be 2 inches of glass from a rare cat. Funniest part: McKinley saying, "Awwww! Come here sweet kitty! I wish I could pet you!" Yeah, I'm pretty sure the cheetah had a wish of her own!

Beautiful day, zoo, we will see you soon!

Lynn

A quirky elf, a cute little reindeer and a handsome snowman...

...all took part in some special Christmas deliveries today and had a blast!

I had this planned last year but I was so sick I just could not do it. I was bummed...so I have literally been waiting all year long for a re-do. Much to my chagrin, I totally got sick AGAIN at the first of December...but I am not going to let myself be sick AGAIN for three straight months. Uh uh.

So, I've been tackling this stupid-whatever-it-is like a mad woman and got myself well-ish. I have a cough still (and it's an ugly cough...) but well enough to bake with McKinley and my Mom and do fun deliveries decked out like a quirky elf (or Rockette-wanna-be...) with my family.

McKinley and I started out with Amy and company, at the salon (I adore this pic of Wendi, Mickey D's cups and all!). McKinley samples Amy's in-house cookies with every visit to her salon...so it is only fair we bring her some of our own. That, and we love everyone there so much!

Next it was on to Lincoln's house! Lincoln's Mommy & Daddy were home and everyone but Baby Ollie got in on the chocolate-dipped oreo's right away.

Our next stop was to McKinley's newest friend's house. Isabella and her family were home and so surprised by our stop-by! We also gave them a container of the hot cocoa mix we made for McKinley's stocking stuffers. Emily, Isabella's Mommy told us what a fan she was of the mix, so we thought it appropriate to hand out some more!

We took a break from deliveries to pick up our snowman and hit the Semmler's house with cookies galore. McKinley, Savannah and Austin got in some good playtime while we were there too - always a good thing.

More stops to be made over the next few days...it has been so fun to have a little helper this year. McKinley has enjoyed all the fun things we have been able to do to celebrate the season and as always I am so thankful to be celebrating with my family.

Lynn