A Mellow Brick Road...: Our Vincennes Adventure

Bodhi, you were so excited to go bye bye this morning. You and your brother sat with GiGi while Mommy went to Zumba class and Daddy worked. Mommy kept telling you after GiGi left, when I was trying to get everything ready, "we're going to see Grandma Betty and all your Aunties and family in Vincennes." You were super excited and fine with playing by yourself for a bit. Jude, you of course, did not understand Mommy trying to get ready, you just understood that you did not want to be in Bodhi's crib playing with toys while Bodhi roamed freely in her room playing. You cried the whole time Momma was trying to hurry and get ready to go. So much so, you fell asleep with your leg hanging out of the crib. Your sister, eventually passed out on the floor with blankets covering her head. Mommy can only assume she got tired of listening to you, Jude, cry :( Daddy arrived home at 10am, you two had just passed out. Mommy hates trying to get ready and leaving either of you to cry! Once Daddy arrived home, he packed all the bags in the car and we headed down the road.

You both are really good babes in the car. Jude, you became fussy when Sister was eating a snack, so Mommy held an animal cracker in your mouth and let you knawl on it. You loved it! When we finally arrived at Vincennes, we made our usual stop at George Rodgers Clark National Historic Park and Memorial, where 5,000 people are buried in unmarked graves and some few marked graves of soldiers and missionary priests are visible. It's the historic sight of the Vincennes settlement. We visited the Old Cathedral church, the George Rogers Clark National Monument French, Indian Revolutionary War-era grounds, and the Lincoln Memorial (across the bridge in Illinois). Jude, this was your first trip to Illinois. Mommy got out of the car to take pictures while Daddy drove you and Bodhi down by the levee and near the water's edge of the Wabash River. Near this area is Pearl City, it's a small road along the Wabash of shacks where poor and homeless build tents and trailers to live. It's an unbelievable sight, which you two won't appreciate until you're older.

After our photo shoot at some of Daddy's favorite places in Vincennes (he always exclaims loudly "here, I grew up" which is a quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln in some historical display somewhere), we headed to Grandma Betty's house. Bodhi, you warmed up to your Aunties and Grandma Betty very quickly. They always make you feel so comfortable and loved. You always have a blast with them! Bodhi, you didn't quite know what to think of Uncle Brad hee/hee, when he picked you up, you signed "Help!" We all got a good laugh from that, especially since everyone is always giving Uncle Brad a hard time hee/hee. Your Aunties also ran around Grandma Betty's yard playing with you and your new balls and bubbles Aunt Debbie bought you :) When it was time to go pick up the infamous Bobe's Pizza's you went with your Aunt Debbie and Aunt Diane, and your two cousins, Abby and Katie, all by yourself Bodhi. They said you were the funniest little thing in the car. When you first left, Bodhi, you said very quietly, "Mommm," but you were ok, and since Abby and and Katie had their sunglasses on, you wanted to wear a pair, so Aunt Diane gave you hers to wear. When Abby put her glasses on top of her head, you wanted to wear yours on top of your head hee/hee. Aunt Debbie can't get over how smart and funny you are, and says it's no wonder you don't talk, you have everything figured out. Aunt Debbie said when you all arrived at the pizza place, Bodhi, Abby carried you inside with them, and when you got inside you said "Momm," again, this time a little louder. Awwww, you wanted to know where your Momma was :)

Bodhi, you ate pizza with Katie, and everything she ate, you had to try as well. Katie became your best buddy at meal time :) Jude, you stayed with Mommy, Daddy, Uncle Brad, and Grandma Betty while the girls went and got the pizza. You crawled around trying to get into everything! You also played outside in the grass while your sister played soccer ball and bubbles. Aunt Terrie put you on her new motorcycle and you loved it! You even grabbed forward hee/hee as if you wer grabbing for the handlebars! You got passed around amongst your Aunties and cousins. Cousin Abby, Aunt Debbie's daughter, played with you in the yard and in the house. Abby solidified being your best bud after she gave you your first taste of breadstick, and a Bobe's bread stick at that! YUMM! You and your sister are like Mr. Murff and Mr. Arlo, you attach to whoever feeds and plays with you :) Jude, they all think you are a doll baby. Grandma Betty couldn't get over how happy you are!

Grandma Betty bought you both the cutest clothes and some stuffed animals. Most kids aren't crazy about getting clothes, but Bodhi, you LOVE getting clothes. You said "oooooh," when everyone was showing you your new clothes. Jude, you like to chew on the hangers, so the clothes excited you as well :) Bodhi, you tried giving your toys to Ella, Katie's bulldog, and you screeched the whole day playing with both Ella and Gizmo! You are definitely an animal lover! This morning when Mommy and Daddy got you up, Bodhi, Mommy asked you if you wanted to go back to Vincennes... You shook your head and your whole body YES! You are too cute, and you don't mind the long car trip to see everyone :)