Summer Vacation Part One: the Midwest

This summer we went on quite the vacation!  We were in a total of 4 states (5 if you count Washington) over the course of 15 days.  Although it made for lots of wonderful memories, we were quite tired by the end of it all.  Carissa did great for the most part, but being as busy as she is, it was hard for her to sit still on the plane rides.  I thought I might cry a few times on the 6+ hour flight home from New York when she wouldn't sleep and she wanted to keep standing on my lap, digging her little feet into my thighs.

We started off by flying to Chicago where we spent two nights before driving to South Bend, Indiana to visit Grandpa Jack.  Then we drove to Grand Rapids, Michigan to visit more family (sadly I didn't get enough pictures!) for one night, before heading back to Chicago for our last night in the midwest.

 Exploring the hotel our first night in Chicago

Uncle Seth and Cousin Jacob came to Chicago too!  Our first full day in Chicago we walked down to Navy Pier.  We checked out the sights, rode the giant Ferris Wheel, and went the Children's Museum.  It was a really fun day!

An indoor arboretum at Navy Pier 

Up in the Ferris Wheel

Hanging out at the Children's Museum

Jacob was too tired to walk, and apparently too tired to ride, on the walk back to the hotel.  :)

Lake Michigan

In South Bend, Indiana.  Meeting Great Grandpa Jack for the first time.

Watching the nursing home birds with Grandma Hos.

 Looking at Great Grandpa's rings

Jacob and Carissa had fun entertaining each other in the nursing home

My back seat buddy

We went to dinner at Essenhaus, an Amish restaurant in Middlebury, Indiana.  Probably the best meal I've ever eaten!

An Amish buggy

Four generations of Hostetlers

Taking a ride on Great Gramp's walker

Aunt Wendy came to dinner too

Cousins Seth, Josh and Luke

Fun in the hotel pool

This was Carissa' first time in a pool. She loved it!

While we were in Indiana we also went to Forest Grove cemetery, where many Hostetlers are buried.

Luke's Great Great Great Grandfather Jacob Hostetler

In Grand Rapids, Michigan.  We saw Luke's Aunt Pam and Uncle Doug, as well as their children and families.

Cousins Jacob and Jackson playing in the pool.  

Cousin Ally, Aunt Pam, Uncle Doug, Cousin Meridith. 

Back in Chicago, hanging out in the hotel.  This was my birthday so we spent the afternoon exploring a little of the city and Millennium Park.

Can you see the bean?

There it is!

Checking out our reflection

This was a crazy water park with these giant towers.  A booth in the nearby museum allowed different people to put their face on the screens (there are two towers and the screens face each other).  Eventually they would purse their lips and a giant stream of water would pour out before switching people.  

Enjoying a book with Daddy in the hotel

Last morning in Chicago.  Cousins have to say goodbye until next time.