Indianapolis Children's Museum: Part 3 (Exploration)

The kids pretended to be scuba divers on an underwater discovery and learned about a real shipwreck.

The children's museum was full of opportunities to explore. There were more exhibits than we could visit in our short hours there, which means we have the perfect excuse to try to make it back again! Here is a sampling of some of the exhibits we were able to visit.

They pretended to be archaelogists excavating & exploring a tomb in ancient Egypt. Here they are hauling rocks from a cave leading to the tomb and below, we looked at a detailed replica of a mummy.

The frog exhibit was very similar to one that came to our science center about a year ago, but there were more fun activities like this educational game and frog outfits the kids could wear while they practiced jumping on & off giant lily pads.

They got to sit in a real Indy 500 racecar.

We also spent some time in the little kids' area where Degen enjoyed the sand table.

Indianapolis Children's Museum: Part 2 (Trains)

Our next stop was the train exhibit. I wish that I had more photos of this exhibit, but Degen was so excited that it was hard to get him to slow down long enough to get a good picture. The best part about the train exhibit was the full-size train engine and car. There was also a large model train that the kids enjoyed watching.

The kids operated this virtual train along a track.

Indianapolis Children's Museum: Part 1 (Dinosaurs)

We had so much fun at the Indianapolis Children's Museum that I am going to have to break the visit down into several parts. Don't forget to check out my other posts about the "best rest stop ever."

Driving to Kansas for our annual Neewollah expedition, we would go right through Indianapolis. More than a year ago, when we had begun to think about this trip I included plans for us to stop and spend a few hours at the children's museum there. Mostly, I was just thinking about a way to break up a long day in the car- little did I know that we would be visiting the biggest and best children's museum ever!

We started our morning at the dinosaur exhibit. The kids had fun exploring the fossil replicas, participating in a fossil dig, role-playing as dinosuars and playing with dinosaur toys.

Degen stood up and said, "Hi, everybody! How ya doin'?" So cute!

I love this photo of Kyrie pretending to be a momma-dino!

On the Road

Our drive to New Hampshire took about 14 hours (and then another 14 hours to get back home), so we had a little bit of time in the car! We split the drive into two days, of which, I drove one day and Darren drove three- what a man! Of the entire trip, Degen slept approximately 45 minutes during our last hour on the way home. Needless to say, even though I wasn't in the driver's seat I kept myself busy. Armed with snacks, drinks, DVDs and enough small, wrapped gifts for each kid each hour of the journey somehow we managed to make it through with only a minimal number of threats, tears and/or tantrums. (Whew!) Darren and I talked and talked and enjoyed the scenery flashing past our windows. The fall foliage really was beautiful, and I got all of these photos from the passenger seat. (Hard to believe just a week later all of these places would be covered in snow!)

This is the sign for the town of Cobleskill, NY.

Going to the Chapel

Mid-October, we drove to New Hampshire to attend my little brother's wedding! We were all very excited for this special day, especially Kyrie who dearly loves her Uncle Ryan & Aunt Jen. This was Kyrie's first wedding, and she was fascinated by all of it! A travel-weary Degen fell asleep in the car on the way to the chapel and slept through almost the entire service, but Kyrie was wide awake and ready to meet our extended family.

My brother & my dad right before the wedding.

My handsome dad looking dapper in his tuxedo!

The bride & groom! Congratulations, Ryan & Jen! We love you!

The kids & me with Steve & Lucy who warmly welcomed us as part of their family!

The Wedding Party

The happy couple! I love their smiles in this photo!

We all had a good time at the reception. It was great to be able to visit with family whom I hadn't seen since Ryan's high school graduation and introduce them to Darren and the kids. We ate, drank, talked and danced!

I think Degen & my dad look very much alike in this photo!

Love this photo of Kyrie with her G'Dude!

Awww! First dance partners!

Family photo! Welcome to the family Jen!

 We had a splendid time at the wedding and reception, and, of course, the party didn't end there. Most of the family gathered that evening and/or the next morning before everyone headed home. I was so happy that I could share this special day with my brother, his new wife and our family! We wish Ryan & Jen every happiness as they begin their life together!

Degen & I spent a lot of time on the dance floor!



Can-tastic

The week after we picked apples, I headed to the kitchen with a pair of little helpers. Kyrie & Degen both took their turns helping to peel apples- who can resist the fun of an apple peeler?

Though we didn't have as many apples as we did last year, I cooked up a few batches of apple-deliciousness to can. I found once again that I really enjoy the challenge that canning provides. It is not a difficult process, but it does take time, effort and planning.

Last year, I canned "naked" applesauce, apple bites in a light syrup and apple smash. We enjoyed each of these and got a lot of good feedback from others who tried them, but this year I wanted to try some new things. My first recipe was for cinnamon apples. These are diced apples in a cinnamon syrup. I love how pretty this recipe looks in the jars.

My second 'recipe' (no, I didn't use an actual recipe) was for "fancy" applesauce. This was a sweetened and lightly-spiced applesauce- a mix between last year's naked and the apple smash.



Unfortunately, I only had enough apples to do those two small batches, but I saved all the peels to make a batch of apple butter. I used a recipe that I an old 4-H camp friend shared with me. I was a bit skeptical and did end up adding some of last year's naked applesauce to round it out a bit, but this recipe turned out great. One jar didn't set, so we had it with dinner that night and it was super-delicious. It also felt good not to waste all those peels!

This year's apple trio: cinnamon apples, fancy applesauce and apple butter! I wish that we had more apples so that I could have made enough to share with family and friends like last year. I'm already looking forward to next year and hoping for a bumper crop of apples!