Spring Break in Indianapolis

We spent the first four days of Spring Break in Indianapolis. I love Indianapolis, and I really enjoyed our year there. It is hard to believe that we moved almost five years ago. It was great to be back!

The main purpose of our Indy visit was a trip to the NCAA Final Four and Championship basketball games. We arrived on Saturday and met Nana and Papa at our old Chik-fil-a for lunch. After eating, we drove by the boys' old school and our old house, and then we checked into our hotel in Brownsburg. Hotels in the city were booked even though we made reservations months in advance. It actually worked out perfectly to stay in Brownsburg since our former home was so close to that town that we considered it our address. We were very familiar with the area! At the hotel, we met up with Shannon, Josh, and the Wynns.

Shortly after getting settled at the hotel, the basketball crew took off for Lucas Oil Stadium. Kieran woke up that morning with a fever, of course. Fortunately, he wasn't sick enough to skip the trip. He just felt crummy with a fever, cough, messy nose, and yucky eye. Thankfully, Nana, Kieran, and I had not planned on going to the games because Kieran is so young. We relaxed in the hotel room, and then went shopping and ate at Panera in Avon, another frequently visited town during our time in Indy.        

Game #1: Michigan State vs. Duke...It didn't end up being a very exciting game, but the crew was still thrilled to be spectators. The end result was disappointing with a Michigan State loss.

Cole with Aunt Shannon

Cole with Papa and Uncle Josh

Game #2: Wisconsin vs. Kentucky...This game was extremely exciting and made up for the first game. Wisconsin pulled off a win over the undefeated Kentucky team. Woo hoo! (I watched it on mute in the hotel room;) This game did not even start until 9-something, so it was a very late night for everyone. They got back to the hotel at 1-something.

Caden with Papa and Aunt Shannon--The group had eight tickets, four seats in two different areas. Caden and Cole switched seats between games.

The next day was Easter Sunday. Mom, Jess, and I went to church at the Methodist church around the corner from our hotel. My mom and I went to this church for Easter five years earlier and really enjoyed it since it is so similar to our home church. Everyone else stayed at the hotel to sleep a bit longer.

For lunch, we all ate at Rick's Boatyard Cafe. Yum! Their crabcakes are so delicious! Here are the attempts at a group photo after our meal. 

After Easter dinner, we went down to Final Four Fan Fest. The boys (both young and old) stood in lines for quite a while to play basketball games.

Photo opps

That evening, the boys were wiped out!

Vegging out in Nana and Papa's room

On Monday, we ate at our favorite breakfast place, Flapjacks, then visited the zoo.

We arrived just in time to see feeding time for the sea lions and seals.

Watching jellyfish

This tiger was beautiful and on the prowl for some food.

Being entertained by the meerkats

The Indy Zoo has a new orangutan exhibit. It is pretty amazing! This photo is from the inside area. The orangutans can come outside (NO enclosure) and walk on very high wires around the building also. We saw one orangutan outside during our visit. It was pretty cool! 

Brady, Caden, Cole, and Kieran

Caden getting ready to race and lose to a cheetah

Cole's turn

The boys in front of the elephant area

Kieran and Aunt Shannon learning about elephants

Caden and Cole up close and personal with flamingos

On Monday night, the basketball crew went to the Championship game between Wisconsin and Duke. This was another extremely late game, starting after 9:00. We were really hoping for a Wisconsin win, but we did not get our wish. At least, it was a good game! Such a fantastic experience for all of them! The Final Four is supposed to be back in Indy in 2021. Next time, Kieran, Nana, and I hope to join in the basketball fun. The boys will be 17, 14, and 10 years old then. Eeek! 

While they were at the game, I met my dear friend, Marisa, and her daughter, Lauren, for dessert. Marisa, the kids, and I spent a ton of time together while we lived in Indy. I have missed her greatly! We haven't seen each other for almost five years, but we picked back up like it had only been a week. Wonderful to catch up! Hoping it isn't another five years before we see each other again.  

Game photos courtesy of Shannon and Josh...

Cole with Papa and Aunt Shannon for the first half

Cole with Aunt Shannon and Uncle Josh

Caden with Papa and Aunt Shannon for the second half

On Tuesday, Curt delivered Hilligoss Bakery donuts to our hotel room. I forgot how good they are! After checking out, we visited one of our favorite Indy places, The Children's Museum. The boys and I visited the museum many times during our time in Indy. Kieran was overdue for his first visit. It was very crowded that day with Spring Break, Final Four, and kindergarten field trip crowds, so we knew we wouldn't see it all, but we saw a lot and had a great time. 

With Bumblebee the Transformer

With the beautiful Chihuly blown glass masterpiece

In the Transformers special exhibit area

Take Me There: China...When we lived in Indy, this exhibit was Egypt. They've done an equally impressive job with China.

Caden writing in Chinese

Learning about pandas

Cole playing a Chinese musical instrument

Inside Hollywood Film & TV exhibit

Props from Spider-Man

Cole sitting on the Simpsons couch

The Dinosphere

ScienceWorks

This ball rollercoaster-like display has always been mesmerizing.

Posing with one of our favorites, Peyton Manning

Saying good-bye for now

After our fun trip to The Children's Museum, we met Nana and Papa at Beef House for dinner. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Indy. LOVE that city and cannot wait to go back!