Mimmy and Pippy

Day 10: Monday, July 26, 2010
Mimmy and Pippy

Take a Florida family and stick them in Michigan for 3 days during a "heat wave" in the high 80s and you'll find that they pretty much have the place to themselves. While everyone else was hiding in the air conditioning and complaining about the "humidity," we were jogging (Mark), opening up all the RV windows (April), and taking Andrew outside like clockwork to explore Mimmy and Pippy's 13 acres of fabulous Midwestern living.

We trekked deep into the wilderness to find the meaning of life, but just ended up arguing about what was, and was not, poison ivy.

Back at the house, Andrew and Freddie the dog have become fast friends... although Andrew is pretty sure he's a horse...

Between huge meals with lots of farm-fresh tomatoes, veggies, and Michigan sweet corn, Andrew has also become quite the expert at peek-a-boo.

Another one of Andrew's favorite new activities is taking the garbage out with Dad. Any time anyone goes near any garage door he screams "Take the garbage out!" just in case there is anyone within earshot that may need something thrown away.

Mimmy and Pippy's house is full of love, delicious food, and some great laughs! And there is always, always happy hour... April took a great pic of Mims in the kitchen earlier in the day but she asked to have it re-taken with her wine - as to not be mis-represented on the web.

Regardless of the fact that we eat them out of house and home and have broken all sorts of things, Mims and Pips don't hesitate to let us know how much we're loved and that we're always welcome to come back, especially if we bring our, as Mims calls him, "little angel." Thanks again Mims and Pips - you're the best!

Summertime... and the livin' is easy....

Day 9: Sunday, July 25, 2010
Summertime... and the livin' is easy....

Sunday morning brought cooler temperatures and more enjoyable summer days to our Michigan stay at the oh-so-cozy home of Mims and Pips.

Mark busied himself with yard work...

Andrew enjoyed taking his shoes off and running through the soft grass...

Hungry bellies were filled with leftovers of Mims' famous Chicken Noodle Soup...



Followed by "visiting" after lunch...

Mims and April worked in the kitchen to prepare "supper" (love these Midwestern terms) while Mark grilled the steaks. We invited over Mark's Uncle Joe and Aunt Becky, as well as Mark's Grandma Hayden. Andrew was very excited to meet Great Grandma Hayden for the first time - and she even brought him a ball to play with. Freddy the Dog and Andrew took turns hiding the ball and finding it. Amidst his hide and seek adventures Andrew also found this empty box... and he laughed pretty hard and how hard we were all laughing at him.



Andrew has also had quite the time playing with Mom and Dad... but mostly with Freddy the Dog.

Giggling baby and the windows open in the RV... doesn't get any better than this.

The Quickest Way to ALMOST Ruin a Vacation...

Day 8: Saturday, July 24, 2010

The Quickest Way to ALMOST Ruin a Vacation...

The first piece of advice we “seasoned travelers” can now give to other parents is to visit other people with kids as often as possible. Their houses are baby-proofed and new toys to dazzle your toddler with are part of the deal. This morning Andrew continued to be enamored with everything Jake – as Mark slept in and April got to relax in the recliner and learn all sorts of tricks of the trade from Erin. First, is everyone aware that you can make pancakes and bacon in less than 30 seconds? And that your kid will use a fork if it has a picture of Mickey Mouse on it? Yes, we've been doing it all wrong.

The day was going along swimmingly until we began packing up the RV and Mark couldn't find his wallet. Panic ensued and finger pointing began (rightly so), as the last time anyone had seen it had been in April's hands as she went into the grocery store last night. Seems that in all the excitement of buying Reen's birthday cake and balloons she had somehow left it in the shopping cart – and almost single handedly ruined vacation. The following conversation ensued:

Mark: “I am never handing my wallet over to anyone again... ever!”

April: “Well, you really shouldn't be doing that anyway.”

Mark: “Obviously I shouldn't be giving it to you. You see some silly decorations and pastries and completely forget that you're holding my identity in your hands.”

Fortunately, the good people of Indiana can be counted on to do the right thing and turned it in. Vacation saved... marriage saved... thanks Indiana!

Reenactment:

Mark without wallet...

Mark after wallet was found...

Wallet in hand and all cards and cash accounted for, we headed off for the three hour drive to Vandalia, Michigan. Vandalia is the home of Mark's Grandma, Mims, and Grandpa, Pips. Finally away from the Interstate, we enjoyed driving through miles and miles of cornfields and family farms. Enter here Mark's diatribe about how we should all be growing our own food and the idea that these amazing farmers are living the “simple life” (but did he ever watch that show – it didn't seem so easy for Paris Hilton?).

Along the way we stopped for lunch and Andrew re-discovered his love of Apple Butter. April re-discovered why she pays extra for Viva paper towels.

When finally at our destination, we were greeted with a huge pot of Mim's homemade chicken noodle soup and other delicious items. Here's to a few great days in Michigan!

“I'm not sure if these are Indiana potholes or if I've just blown a tire?”

Day 7: Friday, July 23, 2010

“I'm not sure if these are Indiana potholes or if I've just blown a tire?”

The morning found us in (apparently) one of the most famous campgrounds in the Midwest – Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Of course we found it the way most people find things – Google – but it certainly was beautiful. Just like one might picture Kentucky – miles and miles of rolling hills, white fences, huge race tracks and lots and lots of beautiful race horses. We looked everywhere for some “blue” grass but it was all just green...sigh (just kidding).

The 200 mile drive, from Lexington to our next stop, Noblesville, IN was full of flat scenery and bumpy roads from the minute we crossed the Indiana state line. Such RV turbulence caused Mark to wonder aloud “I'm not sure if these are Indiana potholes or if I've just blown a tire?”

Noblesville, IN is the home of the Southworth Family, headed up by yet another super mom, Erin (a.k.a. “Reen” – properly pronounced Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen!), April's friend from high school. Other members include dad Jerry, four-year-old Jake, and “coming soon” Baby Girl Southworth. Reen informed us that Jake had been meticulously planning for Andrew's arrival by sorting out his toys to avoid choking hazards for Andrew. For a four year old, I would consider that some fantastic hospitality.

Our visit also happened to roughly co-inside with Reen's birthday – so we were sure to stop by the local supermarket and load up on birthday cake and balloons for our arrival.

Jake, possibly the second cutest little boy ever, was so funny and so nice to Andrew – we couldn't stop laughing. And Andrew loved tearing into every well-organized bin of toys and stuffed animals he could find. And the trains....oh, the trains.... and Jake even gave Andrew a Thomas of his very own to keep!

We enjoyed some delicious Reen-a-Ritas and grilled out – then stayed up way past our bedtime in an attempt to actually beat Reen and Jer in Euchre. Mission failed.

We couldn't get adequate power to keep the RV running all night – so we also enjoyed the sweet simplicity of sleeping in a house with a real bathroom and laundry! And at the end of the day Jake asked Andrew if he'd like to be his best friend – but then said “Andrew, you stink” when it was time for a diaper change. You've got to love Indiana.

On the Road Again...

Day 6: Thursday, July 22, 2010
On the Road Again...

Several months ago when April and Mark where shopping at Walmart for cheap bikes to stow on the back of the RV, April had a very important decision to make...

"Hmm... for $109 do I want the basic pink bike with gears or the Margaritaville bike with a built-in bottle opener and koozie.... but no gears?" she wondered... Obviously, the bottle opener won out.

Mark's Eagle Scout words warned April that she wasn't thinking clearly, but she vehemently stated that "any bike ride that didn't have use for a bottle opener was no bike ride for her AND that she had never understood how to use those pesky gears anyway."

Three miles in to today's bike ride through the Tennessee hills, Mark's smug remarks and efficient pedaling left April to quickly realize that she had made the wrong decision. Visions of her many times backing out on spin class with friends Robin, Danielle and Dana went through her mind between gasping for breaths... If nothing else, April's tired legs were the perfect excuse for stopping to better explore Townsend, Tennesee.



Once back at the campground it was time to rest our weary legs in the river...

Then a trip to the playground...



Finally, back to the RV for some much-needed cleaning. Our dish pile seemed like it was also created by the girl who chose the bottle opener over bike gears... sippy cups and unbreakable wine glasses.

At least we had our little man to help take out the trash... even if he does prefer to leave it on a tree stump...

Once on the road again we searched for state parks (which always seem to be much farther than their sign on the interstate would suggest). Maybe I've lived in Florida too long, but does anybody else remember state parks looking this good? This is Indian Mountain State Park in Jellico,TN...

Having had a chance to pet a real horse earlier in the day, Andrew got off this noble steed, went around to pet the nose, and said "good boy." It's amazing what you hear when you take the time to listen.

Townsend, Tennessee

Day 5: Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Townsend, Tennessee...

Having not really gotten our fill of the Smokies in Dollywood (go figure) we headed back into the Park today to drive a short (yet still windy) drive to a sleepy town called Townsend, TN. Known for river tubing and an abundance of bike paths – it is also home to some of the most delicious food we've found yet!

Lunch at Miss Lily's Cafe led to the discovery of something called Blue Cheese Tomato and Basil Soup. We're not really sure that soup is photogenic – but it was damn good and really we just had to take this pic to remind us to make it at home.

After lunch we went off to explore. First stop – fabulous campground along mountain stream. Next stop – tube rental. Finally, attempting to float down shallow stream without getting our tubes, butts, feet, and legs stuck between slippery river rocks. We weren't exactly graceful but we managed to navigate the shallow rapids with a very tired baby in tow. Since tube navigation didn't leave much time for pictures, here are some shots from the bank of people we don't know who were river rats as well.

Tonight was also the brief debut of the Royan bicycles – just glad they made it this far and haven't fallen off the back of the rig with all of the bottoming-out of the RV that Mark's been doing (Ok – April just wrote that without Mark's approval - now it's a rush to publish before he sees).

After such a big day, it was clear that we had officially exhausted Andrew when he got back to the RV, pulled on Mom's leg, and clearly said “Mickey Mouse TV, Mickey Mouse Blanket, Milk.”

And so he sat, mesmerized by Mickey Mouse... and I imagine this makes Nanny Jenni very proud!

Hooray for Dollywood

Day 4: Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Hooray for Dollywood

Is any summer vacation really complete without a trip to an over-priced, over-heated, over-crowded amusement park? We think not.

We boarded the Pigeon Forge “Fun Time” Trolley and headed for Dollywood today.

From the get-go we just knew we were on the right track when a man on the trolley said he had 2 extra tickets and would be happy to sell them to us for a discount. Immediately labeling him as shady but also wanting the savings, he offered to follow us up to the ticket line to prove they were legit. We were nervous and excited about our “hot deal” and, suddenly... yay.... we were in! Cool man Mark did a handshake pass of the money (Why, we still don't know? So far we are not aware of any state laws banning the purchasing of theme park tickets?) and we proudly trotted away feeling like we really had one up on Miss “9-to-5.”

The weather was hot and sticky and, despite what we all desperately want to believe, one-year-olds do not really understand the difference between a theme park and the real world. Andrew's Dollywood favorites included:

1. A tire.
   

2. A yellow painted street curb.

3. A door stop.
   

4. A cup of ice water and a fascinating straw.

5. The carousel.

Aside from the carousel I think we could have found most of that entertainment at the local gas station. Nevertheless, we finally made our way to the kiddie park area and had fun exhausting our kid...

Watching Andrew discover new things might just be the best part of any day - especially a vacation day.