30ish Trip to Goshen

I figure that since getting married, I have made the trip to Goshen on average 2 times per year.  That comes to about 30 trips so far over the years.  Chicago is one thing, but Goshen is a different effort altogether.  For some reason, whether by train, car, or bus, the extra miles from Chicago to Goshen just really make the trip feel big, especially with kids.

Nonetheless, Mom was headed back to Chicago, and then a weekend visit to see Grandma and Grandpa Garber in Goshen.  After checking flights and realizing that they were so open, I decided to hook up with mom in Chicago on Friday, and head to Goshen with Mikayla.  On Monday, I got a wild hair and planted the seed with Ang that she should consider coming too.  After a really hard week at work, she too decided to come along, and surprise Grams and Gramps.

So, we basically hung out in Goshen for two days, just enjoying the girls and the sunny but cold weather.  Unfortunately, we missed Grandma and Grandpa Schmucker, but they were kind enough to drop off some baby gear, including some toys for the girls.  The buggy was a huge hit!

We all had a special harmonica concert from Grandpa.  He played several songs, and the girls sat still for all of them, fully entertained.  Mikayla, let Great-Grandma hold her for one of her meals, and the girls also enjoyed story time with Mimi and G-Grandma.

We were so happy to see snow there, so that the girls could finally understand what it was.  Mikayla kept saying "ice, ice" and wanted to hold it.  We didn't have any gloves, and her little hands were freezing, but she didn't seem to care.  At first she seemed pretty intimidated by the snow, but soon was climbing over the snow pile and jumping off.  She really didn't like the snow on her boots though, so each time after she would jump in the snow, she had to go to the driveway to kick the snow from her boots, and then she'd start all over again.

Mikayla also seemed to enjoy watching the birds from G-Grandma's window.  I loved observing this view from the back.

The cute little scrunched up face that is so hard to catch on camera!

After Macy's nap, she had her turn outside (now her turn too for the boots and the hat as well).  Grandpa Kauffman even came over to give her a special ride in the sled he built for Greta and Seth years ago.

Snack time for the girls.  Note that the hat seemed to be a hit both inside and outside.  Fine with me, because Mikayla's hair is usually a mess and it's just as well to cover it up!

Grandma's buttons were a huge hit.  We got them out because Angie and I asked Grandma to make us each an apron for the kitchen.  We each picked out fabric, and then I chose some buttons from Grandma's button collection to finish it off.  Mikayla and Macy spent quite some time dumping the buttons out, and then picking them up one by one and putting them back in the bowl.  Mikayla even showed us that she knows a few colors, and I had no idea.  Turns out she really knows the color "mink" (pink); not a surprise, I guess.

While the logistics of getting to and from Goshen at times are overwhelming, and we are always glad to be home, we have such fond memories of spending time in the living room at 1301 Somerset.  It is always well worth the trip, and it is so special for each of the kids to know their Great-Grandparents.

Grandma and Grandpa, we love you!