Indiana Fall Festival

We were way overdue a trip to see Steve's extended family in Indiana so we decided to brave the long drive and head in for Evansville's Fall Festival in early October. Jolene rode with us which made the trip MUCH better. I really can't complain with how the boys did on the drive. They were troopers. We went straight to the festival when we got to town.

Luke immediately wanted to ride some of the rides in the kids section. Grayson would have none of that. Grayson, who wanted to ride everything in sight at Busch Gardens, seemed to share my fear of rides that arrive on-site via truck and are installed by people lacking most of their teeth. Grayson preferred the games, the competitor that he is. Anything to win. And win he did....lots of small neon stuffed animals.


Steve and Luke on the helicopter!Luke with his cousin Lily. I think he was smitten.

By Day Two at the carnival Grayson was a bit more adventurous. He ended up riding everything he could and we practically had to drag both of them away.

Whoah! This one was a little rough!

We took Steve's 90 year old Grandma with us. We practically had to drag her away, too. I think she was having so much fun watching her great grandchildren on the rides!

Jolene's sister Jackie enjoyed the carnival with us and she even rode some of the rides with the kids!
Back at Great Grandma Rawlings' house the boys always like to try to hide in her cabinet. This year Grayson didn't fit.

Luke could barely squeeze in there.

What a great picture of Grandma Rawlings and her boys!

This year we decided the boys were old enough to enjoy a football game and we got root for Mater Dei where all the kids in the family attended (or will attend) school. Though just a high school, these folks take tailgating about as seriously as the Hokies!

Cornhole - toddler style.

If tackling doesn't work there's always the Dora the Explorere inflatable bat. Watch out Jordyn!

Grayson taking a break from football for a rare treat - a Sprite! Shhh....don't tell his Daddy!

Jordyn is old enough now to watch the kids and fortunately for us she enjoys it and is very good with the boys. They were in heaven. Jolene's entire side of the family made it over to Ron and Sandy's house where we were staying for a fabulous lowcounty boil. It was great to catch up with everyone, even if just for an evening.

And we got to meet two of the newest additions to the family. The last time we were in Indiana was for Hunter's Mommy and Daddy's wedding! My how time flies!

And Skyler is Rachel and Blaise's newest addition. Skyler and big sister Lily will have the same age difference as Grayson and Luke. Good luck this year, Rachel!

And though I didn't get pictures of everything we also squeezed in a trip to see Steve's aunt and uncle Linda and Billy at their place. The boys had a blast there as it's truly a haven for big boys and their toys.

Whew! That was a whirlwind of a trip. I think I'll catch some zzzz's on the way home!