Michigan/Indiana Trip Part 3

This is a little out of order because the pictures of Shipshewana, were actually on the way to Indiana. This is the part that was so gorgeous and our camera was on the wrong setting so a lot of them are blurry if you look close....boo!!! But you get the idea of just how beautiful this part of the country really is.

Shipshewana is about 50% Amish. It was become somewhat commercialized with the many shops. The Amish people make furniture so there were several furniture shops, quilt shops, toy shops and bakeries.

This nice Amish boy took us on a carriage ride to see how the people live.

We passed this lady going to town.

We had the best kettle korn made by this Amish man. Look at his homemade pants.

Homemade chicken noodle soup (yummy homemade noodles) at the Breadbox Cafe.

You could sample all the different kinds of jams, jellies, and salsas.

On our way to Indiana we passed this Amish farmer out in his field.

Once we got back to Kelsi's house, she had some more fun things planned for us to do. Went to the best museum, called the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and it was free!

So many cool displays. This was one of Hunter's favorite, I'm sure you can see why.

 After the museum, we went to get burgers and unfortunately I ended up in the car and then home to bed with a migraine. Kelsi took care of me while I napped and Tom called in some zofran for my nausea.

We hate how far away our cousins live.

This little nugget is so good at brushing her teeth.

It wasn't the warmest day, but we went to a ladies house in Kelsi's stake that lets people swim in her pool once a week. It was really nice and once again it was FREE!

There were many parks in the area so we went to this one after swimming.

Michigan/Indiana Trip Part 2

I was super excited to show my kids my mission. What I didn't realize was just how beautiful Indiana really is. I only had three areas and didn't really get to see all of the farmland, the Amish and the country towns. Driving from Michigan allowed us to enjoy ALL of this. I couldn't get over how much I LOVED it. My first area and really only area where I keep in touch with people is Kokomo. The town right before Kokomo is Peru, Indiana. My friend, Janet, that I found on a trip back by myself a few years ago, lives in Peru. I didn't get to spend much time with her last time (since I spent the whole trip looking for her). Anyway, she had been in touch and really wanted to meet the kids. She suggested we stay in the Circus City Inn near her home. This also put me close to Kokomo and just an hour from the Indianapolis Temple. Janet SPOILED us for the 3 days we spent there. She planned some wonderful activities and had crafts for the kids. She also bought TONS of food for us. Her and her boyfriend Tim were so amazing. Oh and BTW, Janet is ANTI-PICTURE so we don't have very many of her or Tim.

Peru used to be a training ground for the circus....This was in the lobby of the hotel....lol.

 

The kids always have to get their swimming in.

Janet LOVES and RAISES all kind of animals. She is also friends with a lady, named Marilyn who basically has a zoo in her yard. She lives out in the country near Peru. Janet asked her if we could come and visit all the animals. Some of the animals were unique. We had never seen anything like it. I wish I had written down the names of all the animals because now I can't remember!

This was a blind kangaroo that Marilyn is taking care of.

Marilyn's House

Look at the miniature deer inside Marilyn's house.

Marilyn was super cool.

There aren't too many original covered bridges left but this is one in Roann, near Marilyn's house. I wish Powell hadn't left and gone back to work. He would have loved it!

I can't believe they built these by hand, back in the day.

Janet treated us at an awesome pizza place. Her and Tim brought their monkeys so they had to stay outside. You can see Tim through the window. He has the monkeys.

After pizza, it was time for ice cream. You can see Janet and Tim here. Sherman and Mae, the monkeys, are enjoying the ice cream as well.

The girls are in heaven with the crafts Janet bought them. And look at the Fisherman magazines they got for Hunter to read, since he loves fishing.

Tim had this cool car for Hunter to go riding in.

Brinley has always loved chickens so she let Janet's chickens out to chase them.

I MADE her take a picture with me.

We went to the open house of the new Indianapolis temple. My friend, Cindy Lee Barbosa (I taught her in Bloomington at IU) met us there. She lives in Carmel, near the temple. She is strong and active in the church. She is so sweet. I'm proud of her for staying strong when no one in her family is a member. Her and her husband have one little girl and she is an attorney in Indy. She is looking at moving to Utah in the future.

The temple was beautiful

We ate at Golden Corral after the temple.

The kids were hot and tired. lol.

I had to stop and visit Sister Dwiggans, even though the kids had had it. They were ready to get back to Kelsi's. Oh and THANK YOU to Kelsi for letting us borrow her car. It saved us lots of money.