We journeyed back to the homeland the weekend following Sam's birthday party. We wanted the chance to celebrate with Grandma Kramer and the rest of our Indiana family including Heather's Aunt Linda.
Sam had not been on an airplane ride since he was three months old, but he showed us that he is still a little travel pro! He fell asleep right at take off and slept for three quarters of the flight. The change of pressure on the descent was a bit more challenging for him, but nothing a little snack couldn't fix. And kudos to Sam for ensuring an easy passage through TSA by flirting with the lady agents!
Our first stop was the Kappa Kappa Gamma house at Butler University to see Aunt Linda (and of course
Shawn Sam wasn't at all put out that he got to flirt with the sorority girls). After visiting over lunch at
The Aristocrat, some shopping to stock up on toddler necessities, and a little nap, we were off to Monticello. Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go...
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| Sam & Aunt Linda |
While visiting Monticello we stayed in a lovely bed and breakfast on Lake Schafer called
The Lighthouse Lodge. The Lodge has several private entry large guest rooms with mini-kitchens, and a couple of lakeside cottages. They do a lot of weddings and family reunions during the summer season as they are right on the lake. Luckily for us, we visited in the off season and got the full attention of the very hospitable owners, Mike and Bonnie. Bonnie makes a homemade breakfast each morning that's just out of this world. She even gave us a few tips on how to make fluffy, tasty scrambled eggs. We've since tried her recipe at home and Sam approves!
Speaking of delicious food, Shawn's mom decided to host us for dinner one night. She is an amazing cook and we always look forward to her meals. So it was a real treat to go to her home and smell a scrumptious roast cooking! It was frigid outside, but so warm and cozy inside Grandma's house. We gathered around the table with two of Shawn's brothers, Butch and Jim, and their wives for some good laughs over an amazing meal. Special thanks to Uncle Jim for helping Grandma with the dinner preparation...what a team! Butch and Sam really hit it off too. Being the experienced Grandpa that he is, Uncle Butch had some tricks up his sleeve to make Sam laugh and win his heart. We think that this look on Sam's face says it all.
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| Jungle Baby, oh-wee oh-wee OH! |
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| Grandma Kramer & Sam |
Despite the frigid wind coming off of the lake, we really enjoyed our stay in the two-bedroom lakeside cottage. It was very comfortable and we instantly felt right at home. We had a full kitchen with dining area, living room, two bedrooms and a bathroom with stand up shower. It really felt more like staying with friends than at an inn. Particularly when Mike and Bonnie let the whole Kramer clan crash their rec room for an impromptu reunion and birthday party for Sam. They put together a delicious salad for us, we brought in pizza and just made ourselves at home. Thanks Mike and Bonnie, and all who joined us to celebrate!
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"So this is what a -14 wind chill looks like"
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| Sam loved hanging out on the bunk beds in his room |
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| Stealing Aunt Kim's pizza...his first taste of Arni's, a northern Indiana favorite |
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| Goofing around with Uncle John |
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| Blowing out the candle on his birthday cake |
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| Cousins Christian, Sam and Arrick |
The area experienced a record low temperature while we were there (it never fails to drop well below normal when we visit a cold weather region, which Heather despises). But we made the best of it, and it did finally warm up just enough to introduce Sam to the fun that you can have in the winter. Below are a few photos of Sam's first snow play!
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| Tobogganing. "Mush, Daddy...Mush!" |
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| "MAYDAY! MAYDAY!" |
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| Snow daddy |
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| Snuggling to keep warm |
It was a wonderful trip all around. We had the best time catching up with everyone, enjoyed a fabulous home cooked meal courtesy of Grandma Kramer, and made some wonderful memories. We can't wait for the next trip back to our Indiana home, and to this little gem of a spot called The Lighthouse Lodge.
Check out more photos of our trip in our
January photo album.
