Fun times...

I know several weeks have passed since Memorial Day weekend, but I'm taking the "better late than never" approach to this blog post! We packed SO much into one weekend and returned to a busy schedule here at home, so time just has not allowed for me to sit down, organize pictures, upload, and gather my thoughts. However, another holiday is quickly approaching and I figured I should at least have this post done before the next one. So, here goes.

When we first moved to Wilmore two years ago, a sweet couple, Dan and Stephanie Bellinger, showed up on our doorstep with strawberry shortcake to welcome us to KY. Through that initial conversation we learned that Dan, Steph, and I all were at IWU at the same time. Small world (although, I guess big enough that we didn't know each other during our time there...haha). Anyways, we became good friends with the Bellinger's during our first year in Seminary. Dan graduated in 2009, so their time here ended as they took a church in New Carlisle, IN. We miss them so much, but we are grateful that we can continue our friendship even with many miles in between. We have been planning a visit to their new home for quite some time now and we finally had the opportunity to go in between the end of one semester and start of another. Our good friends, the Bevils (you know them from many other posts, I'm sure), took a road trip with us for a fun-filled holiday weekend. In the three short days we were there, we managed to visit New Carlisle, visit South Bend and the campus of Notre Dame (beautiful), grill out (oh yeah!), spend a day at New Buffalo Beach on Lake Michigan, and spend a day in Chicago. We had so much fun and Emily was a trooper.
Thanks again, Dan and Steph, for such a great time! We miss you!

We stopped at the College Football Hall of Fame and Viktor was quite proud of his Buckeyes!

Outside the Hall of Fame.

Emily discovered her shadow.

The whole gang. Dan, Steph, Bevil, Missy, me, Ems, and Viktor.

Outside the South Bend Chocolate Factory. Emily with her manny.

Getting ready for church with Aunt Steph.

Beach Bums.

We didn't take our swimsuits because we didn't think it would be warm enough in Michigan at this time of year. It was SO HOT on the day we went to the beach. However, the water was still freezing!

Emily did not like the freezing cold water...I don't blame her!

Pals.

The Ban family even drove in from Crown Point to spend the day with us. Emily had a lot of fun playing in the sand with the kids.

Ems enjoyed riding on daddy's back in downtown Chicago.

Bevil was on stroller duty...though Emily preferred her Ergo.

The whole crew in the bean.

Dinner at Gino's East.

Steph made sure we left Emily's mark. It said, "Emily was here and danced the night away."

And, no trip to Chicago would be complete without some sort of drama. Turns out the van got a flat tire while we were out touring the city. We put the spare tire on to drive home to New Carlisle, but within 3 blocks of driving it blew out, too. Somehow the guys rigged something so we could drive home on the flat tire (going 55 on the Toll Road and stopping every so often to fill it up). We had a few good laughs, that's for sure.