Midwest trip, once again. Emilie's first time!

Emilie celebrating being out of her carseat!

We loaded up the car, Saturn Vue, with our luggage, kids, and dog and headed west.  The trip took forever on the way out due to some back up on 70 in Ohio.  We took a detour to 40 which saved our sanity.  Poor kiddos had to endure a long car ride but we all made it safe and sound.  #CapitolCities  Our first stop was Indianapolis and hung out with Grandma and Grandpa Chase.  It was an amazing visit because Aunt Laura drove Great Grandpa Alberti to see us and meet Emilie.  I was so thrilled he got to meet her, he really enjoyed seeing all the great grandkids.  My cousin Andy and his family came over too!

Thanks again for coming to see us Aunt Laura,

While we were visiting Grandma Chase spent a day date with CJ at the park and they had Skyline Chili for lunch, then went for a carwash.  Eric and I went to Broadripple to have some brews while catching the USA World Cup Game, Emilie tagged along.  Grandma Chase offered to watch the kiddos for us so we had Grandpa Chase drive us around to 3 breweries in the area.  Cheers Dad!

We drove up to Noblesville to visit the Indiana Transportation Museum where everyone enjoyed climbing in and around various train cars.  It was a great time!

To end the day we lit some fireworks!  Rufus was not a fan, but CJ had a great time and Daddy even let him help light them!  

CJ spinning his sparkler!

Then we hit the road and headed up to Purdue.  It was nice to stroll around for a bit.  CJ loved his breakfast for lunch at XXX!

We then arrived in LaGrange and hung out with Gramma and Granpa Meyer.  Our first activity was the Brookfield Zoo, CJ and Emilie had a great time!

Our attempt to stay cool resulted in getting out the giraffe pool, that thing is 4 years old, OMG!

We planned to spend a day at the Raging Waves Waterpark and we got a discounted rate!  Everyone had a blast, CJ rode several waterslides and is eager to grow a little bit bigger to ride on more next year.  Someone has decided on a new tradition while visiting the Meyers!

I missed my childhood traditions of parades on the 4th of July so I looked up some close in the area and we decided to go watch the Hinsdale Parade.  It was full of floats and groups and they had a community "festival" afterwards with a lot of free stuff for the families.

We all headed back for some naps and preparing for the cookout Gramma and Granpa organized.

It was a wonderful time hanging out with everyone.  The kiddos got along famously.  Thanks again for the party!

We packed up the next morning and began our journey home.  We stopped back through Purdue one more time for some more stretching and beers at Lafayette Brewing Company and stayed the night in Indianapolis.  The next day we drove over to Dayton to visit the USAF Museum and then on to Centerville to visit the Wackers and headed home the next day.  All in all the driving was not that bad and our kiddos were great!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!