We stayed at the world famous "Lobo Lodge". It feels just like home! Gramps lives in Carmel, Indiana in a very wooded sub-division. It's hard to see his house from the street because of the trees.
This is his front yard.
And here's his backyard. On our last night there, we saw a raccoon come onto his back lawn and take care of some business before returning to the bushes. He has squirrels and ants (and probably more critters) in his backyard, too.
On Thursday we went to Spencer Farms to pick strawberries.
Max enjoyed picking anything that was red or white.
Sam found a slug on the strawberries and enjoyed that more than the strawberries.
Picking strawberries sure can make your fingers pink!
On Friday, we went to Main street in Zionsville to visit the Carter's Antique toy museum. Main street was very charming and reminded me of Park City.
In the basement, they had a ton of toys that the kids could ride. We let them each ride a few.
Max loved climbing on the machines, but the second it started to move, he got very scared.
They had an indoor carousel that we got to ride.
They also had a very small indoor bumper car arena.
Nick found his dream car while we were there!!
On Saturday we went to Green Castle to see Aunt Brenda and Uncle Mike. They just built this house last year on 11 acres of land. It is completely surrounded by woods and gorgeous.
Sam found a small snake in the grass. Fortunately, it was dead...it was still warm and soft, so it must have just died before he found it.
Here's Mike and Brenda's "pet" snake. He's taken residence under their new barn and likes to come out to sun himself by their garden hose. He's about 4 feet long and is a blue racer. Supposedly, a snake like this can eat 100 rodents in a summer. I guess he's good to have around, then!
We walked down to see their water fall.
On the way, we found some snails.
And we found a wild box turtle. Mike and Brenda also have a pond with frogs and they even found a snapping turtle.
Afterwards, we rode the "world's fastest lawn mower", the Dixie Chopper. That thing can really cruise!
On Sunday, we walked down to the river by Gramp's house to throw a few sticks in. On the way home, we found "the world's largest earthworm" and two rollie pollies.
We then went for a Sunday picnic at Aunt Elaine and Uncle Hubert's house in Nobelsville. They own 5 acres and need a golf cart just for yard work. The kids got to ride around in that too! Nick's cousin CJ and his family brought their bounce house for the kids to play in. Mabel and Sam enjoyed climbing a large pine tree while we were there.
On Monday, we went to the Indianapolis Zoo with CJ and Kim and their kids, Henry (10) and Cullen (6). Gramps came along too.
It was 90 degrees and humid while we were at the zoo, so we let the kids run in their water fountains to cool off.
We even got to touch a lizard in their desert exhibit.
Gramps is 92 going on 93 and is very healthy and keeps up with best of 'em. Henry and Cullen are in front.
The penguins.
The zoo even had an open shark tank that you could pet small sharks. Everyone got to pet a shark. Mabel said this was her favorite part of the zoo.
The kids love to play around in Mom and Dad's bed even at the Lobo Lodge!
We left early Tuesday morning. The kids looked so cute in the airport rolling around their "carry-ons". We had so much fun visiting with family and enjoying the lush green of Indiana. Everyone was very nice and we really enjoyed spending time with family. Grandpa Mars was incredible and even gave the kids Mars candy bars. We are glad to be home, but have fond memories of our trip to Indiana.
