Having Fun in Indy

We are getting used to living in Indianapolis. We've visited some of the main attractions in the last couple weeks.

During our first week in Indy, we took a break from the unpacking to spend a few hours at the Children's Museum. Here is Caden taking his turn in the race car, while Cole waits as patiently as possible. Caden & Curt on the museum's carousel
Kelly & Cole on the museum's carousel
This museum's dinosaur area is amazing. Here are the boys touching a T-Rex's thigh bone.
Cole being a couch potato on the science floor

After Cole's birthday weekend, Nana spent the week with us. She helped us unpack, decorate, plant flowers, and have fun. Thanks, Nana! While Nana was visiting, we spent an hour at Jump-n-Play, which is a building with four large inflatables and a couple smaller inflatables. They also have cosmic basketball and games. The boys had a great time bouncing off their energy inside since it has been too hot to play outside. We were very thankful that it wasn't crowded until we were leaving. Caden claimed that Jump-n-Play is more fun than Chuck E. Cheese, which is very high praise coming from him. Caden & Curt racing down the mega slide

On Saturday, we spent a few hours at the zoo with Nana and Papa. In this picture, Cole is laughing at the gibbons and otters. They share a space and were very entertaining--picking on each other and playing.
The boys enjoyed the play area at the zoo. They have a fun splash area too, but we're saving that for another visit.

Caden's favorite exhibit was the new Komodo dragon area, but we didn't get a picture there.
Cole, Daddy, & Nana on the zoo train--The ride is not as entertaining as the St. Louis train ride, but it was a nice way to get off our feet and cool off. Cole claimed the bears were his favorite, which means that Papa CANNOT like the bears too (obviously!).
Lots of fun things to see and do!!! (hint, hint)

Happy Father's Day!

All of the boys on Father's Day--We're taking Curt to the Indianapolis Indians baseball game to thank him for being such a wonderful daddy.

Happy 3, Cole!

We celebrated Cole's third birthday with Nana, Papa, Grammy, and Aunt Shannon. Cole was very excited about having two birthday parties this year.
Cole loves Imaginext toys! Here he is flying his coast guard helicopter to rescue some ocean creatures.

Cole with his Nana & Grammy
Cole asked Grammy to make him a Scooby Doo cake. Thank you, Grammy! The cake was delicious, as always.
Make a wish!
Cole & Caden enjoying the new Imaginext collection
Cole is showing off his Iron Man mask and Spidey t-shirt from Aunt Mariah.
It is so hard to believe our little guy is 3 years old.

The Big Move

After months of packing up boxes, the dreaded first weekend in June arrived. Many friends came over to say good-bye (for now!) and help load the moving truck. We were very grateful for all of the help. I didn't get very many pictures of the boys hanging out with their friends, but I snapped a few.

Here are Caden and Griffin checking out the inside of the empty moving truck. The truck seemed so big with just the two boys in it. We found out the next morning that the truck needed to be even bigger. So much stuff!

Ali, Cole, Caden, & Brady watching some cartoons in the very empty family room We stuffed as much as we could into the largest U-Haul, my dad's trailer, our van, and Curt's truck, and then we said good-bye to our first house in Springfield. The trailer carried at least three more loads on different days, and my van was very full after the closing. This was a great starter home for us, and we made many wonderful memories at 37 Red Fox Court.

Moving is exhausting!
Our home in Indianapolis--The boxes are unpacked, and we are getting settled. I still find myself referring to Springfield as "home" though. We are excited to experience a new place for a year, but it is hard leaving behind friends and familiarity.

We are loving all of the space in this house. We spread out some of our furniture, so the front two rooms would not be completely empty. This is our "sitting/reading" room.
This is supposed to be a formal dining room, but we aren't buying formal dining furniture this year. Right after Thanksgiving, it will become our Christmas tree room.
More pictures of the first floor




Second floor TV/computer/exercise room
Master bedroom (Yes, the walls are orange.)
Cole's room--The wall mural matches his room theme perfectly.
Caden's room, which has an attached bath
The very pink guest room
The boys "helping" unpack
We are looking forward to visitors!

Early Birthday Celebration for Cole

Cole's third birthday fell right after our move. We could not imagine planning and hosting a birthday party in the middle of Curt's studying and our packing. We were just going to have a family party after the move, but our good friends (the Baima's) offered up their basement for a morning of fun. While Curt took his boards in Kentucky (and passed--hooray!), we celebrated Cole with a few of his buddies.

Cole tearing into his present from Brady (in red) and Ali while Caden checks out the present that he picked out for Cole Ali reading a birthday card to Caden and Olivia while Cole checks out the next presents to open

Cole testing his Batman cake (our very first non-Grammy cake) The cake was good, but we are spoiled by Grammy's creations!
Cole with his buddy, Kaleb
Most of the birthday crew as the party is winding down
Such a fun morning! Cole was absolutely thrilled to have a party with his friends.