Terre Haute Trip

Adam has been going to Terre Haute for work for almost four years. He is a consultant at the hospital up there so he is there a couple of days a week. I have been wanting to take Ella and stay  just so she could get an idea of what he does while he is there. Four years later we were finally able to go.

Ella woke up itching the morning we left. I didn't think much of it, because she typically has a mesquito bite or two. I put some cortisone cream on her, and we were on our way. We made it there just in time to have lunch at Clabber Girl. I have heard many times how good it is so I knew that is where we had to go for lunch. We ate with Adam and some of his co-workers. Ella was super shy the whole time. Men just seem to make her really nervous. Lunch was so good. I wish we had a Clabber Girl here. 

After lunch, Ella and I went to the Terre Haute Children's Museum. It was such a great museum. They had a ton of hands on activities which Ella really enjoyed. If you are ever in the area I highly recommend it.

 Ella really loved this little sink in the bathroom. It was just her size. 

 This girl is a serious shopper!!

 Critter Corner was right up Ella's ally. She loves bugs!

 I started noticing her itching more and more around this time so I knew we better head out. I started to get really concerned, because I noticed she had more red bumps. I of course started thinking the worst. The worst being chickenpox. Eek!

 Ella with her purchase from the museum. 

 After the museum we checked into the hotel. I think this was Ella's favorite part. She loves hotels. I remember when she used to hate them and wouldn't sleep. I didn't think we would ever be able to go on vacation or go anywhere for that matter. How times have changed!

Since they know Adam so well they upgraded us to a room with a jacuzzi tub. Ella was in it twice that night. 

Relaxing before dinner. 

We ate dinner at a local Italian place called, Piloni's. We ate with a couple of Adam's coworker's, their wives, and kids. It's always nice to see them. The food was so so good. Ella sat and itched the entire time. She had welps under her arms.  We stopped at CVS on the way back to get Benadryl and cortisone cream. Both of those really helped. 

Ella and I had to get in the jacuzzi tub one last time before bed. 

We headed straight to the doctor after we got home and come to find out Ella had chiggers! I was relieved but hated the fact there was nothing that could be done to get rid of them quickly. 
It was a fun little trip to Terre Haute. After almost four years I'm glad we were able to get a glimpse into Adam's life there. Hopefully we can go back one more time before Ella's start Pre-K in a few short weeks. 

Bertram/Ice Nashville trip

This weekend we went to my favorite place with some of my favorite people. Adam and I love the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. We have been going there once or twice a year since Ella was about a year old. Some people may think it's boring, but we thinks it's relaxing. We love to get a balcony room so we can hear the water. 
This past fourth of July Sarah brought up the idea of going on a weekend trip, and we decided to go to Nashville. We have been on many trips with them so I knew it would be a good time. We are so lucky to have friends like them. We all get along so well. Whenever we're together we enjoy reminiscing about old times, and we always have a lot of good laughs together.  They also do not mind it if we bring Ella along and like to include her in on whatever we are doing. We appreciate that! Adam and I decided to leave her at home this time, but she will definitely be going on our next trip with them that is already in the works. 
We left early Saturday morning and headed straight for the mall. Sarah and I did a little shopping, and then we had lunch at Chuy's. It's probably one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. I wish we had one here. They have the best chilie relleno's, and the margarita's aren't too shabby either. 
Poor Adam, he gets so tired of all my pictures taking:) 

After lunch we headed to the hotel to check in and walk around. 

We met up for a drink at "The Falls" before dinner. We ate dinner at "Fuse" which is a sports bar. It was one of the cheaper places at the hotel, and our dinner was still expensive. That is one drawback about this hotel. EVERYTHING is expensive. 

 One of my favorite picture spots at the hotel.

One last picture before the night ended...

This morning we went to breakfast at Cracker Barrel and headed home. It was a great weekend spent with great friends. Can't wait for our trip to Huber's, our RV trip across the US, and our 10 year anniversary trip. :) 

Ella's "pets"

As I mentioned in my last post Ella loves bugs. She thinks they are her pets. I think they are disgusting. She finds such joy in searching for roly poly's, snails, and any other creepy crawlers she can find to put in her jar. She found all these "pets" at my mom and dad's house yesterday. She of course had to bring them home. I was so happy when she went to bed last night so I could let all her "pets" out in the backyard where they belong. 

She found a slug! 

Notice that slug on her finger. He didn't want to go in the jar. 

 She is so proud of her jar!