Mini Vacate: Part 2

In downtown Indy there is a canal

that runs right next to many of the museums, restaurants, hotels etc...

One end of the canal happened to be right outside our hotel.

It's really quite beautiful.

I've always wanted to walk the whole thing.

So Aurora and I set out one morning to walk the canal.

But silly me I thought this was just some little decorative thing they call a "canal"

and would take us 30mins to stroll around.

But the canal is so much more.

There are lots of pretty little sitting spots

and waterfalls,

and fountains,

and bridges,

and even gondolas,

and pieces of art & other interesting things to look at

all during your 3 mile stroll around the canal.

It was peaceful and pretty. I just wasn't prepared for how long it was (I was wearing flip-flops, no sunblock and next to no water for Lil A while it was quickly becoming a hot sunny day etc...) 

Aurora ended up taking her nap on the go.

Later after lunch and another nap. We went to the Indianapolis Children's Museum

which is one of the best in the nation. 

As a child, I went to the Children's Museum every year on school field trips.

Then as a teen, I volunteered at my local children's museum but once a month we went to Indy and volunteered and help out during their Family Nights.

Early in our marriage, I made Jared go with me to the haunted house they sponsor.

I've been waiting for the day when I would take my own daughter/son to the museum

and the day had finally arrived.

Playing in the sand with friends.

Playing at the water table.

Playing on the indoor cushion playground that's just her size.

Then there are the staples of every museum visit:

The carousel 

Mesmerized by the carousel while waiting in line.

  

Getting your picture taken in the Indy 500 car.

I believe my mom has a pic of me in this very car.

And the World's Largest Water Clock:

The reason we couldn't get the whole clock in the pic.

We also saw the dinosaur exhibit that was really cool. Also a touching exhibit titled

The Power of Children: Making A Difference which was an interactive (of course) exhibit about Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges and Ryan White.

I wished we lived a little closer so we could go more often. I had so much fun

and Aurora probably did too. :)

Sidenote:

It is such a small world because while we were there we ran into our friend Joanna, who had just moved to Indy recently.

We got to see her boys and her new little baby girl. So fun!

We finished off our vacation by visiting with some other dear friends over dinner.

Thanks Ryan & Mimi!

It was a great little getaway. Jared should have conferences like this more often.

Mini Vacate

Jared had a week long conference to attend in Indianapolis a couple of weeks ago.

Lil A and I decided to meet him there for a few days and make a little vacation out of it.

Unfortunately what should of been a 2 maybe 2 1/2 hour trip for Aurora and I turned into almost a 4 1/2 hour trip with a little car trouble, bad weather, and an unusually cranky baby.

Here she is finally asleep after a lot of hard work on the Momma's part.

We stayed at a nice hotel (courtsey of Jared's work) in downtown Indy-- a stone's throw away from White River State Park and the Canal. (And only a hop and a skip from the zoo).  

Here is Aurora taking in the view from the 8th floor.

In the mornings, Lil A and I would swim, watch movies and walk in the park (more pics of that later).

Here she is watching one of her all time favorites: Winnie the Pooh.

Sidenote: Have I told you what Aurora's first couple of words were? The first one was "Uh-oh" and the second one was "movie" (prounounced mooo-vie ending on a higher note with the "vie"). Yes, movie came right before Momma and Dada.  It makes me laugh but at the same time I wince and then I feel called upon to tell people that she doesn't really watch movies or tv all that much... maybe 30mins every 2-3 days. Not like all day every day or anything. :)

Jared was able to take his lunch breaks with us. We went to a Cuban sandwhich shop one of the days.

We have been missing the one in Lexington. This one is nicer looking but we still prefer the food at the one in Lex.

Aurora took this pic of me while waiting for our food.

Yes, it's another crazy face pic but still a good shot for her first photo ever.

The first night we had dinner with some dear friends we hadn't seen in awhile.

Thanks Alcorns & McFarlands! Sorry we didn't get any pics.

The next night we went to the zoo.

We saw fish which Aurora loved.

It was Jazz Night At The Zoo. So they keep all the animals out a little longer. We got to see all the animals really well because it wasn't very crowded although it was pretty hot. Also the animals seemed to sense that it was past the usual time for them to be out. They were all real active and hanging out near the gates waiting for their keepers. 

Aurora's favorites appeared to be the giraffes, elephants and rhinos. 

The Indy Zoo has a Splash Park. It pretty much looks like an open playground area where water

is shooting out or pouring down from everywhere.

We brought a change of clothes for Aurora but not for me... Oh well it felt good.

We enjoyed the jazz, the food, the animals, the Splash Park...so two thumbs up for the zoo.

To Be Continued...