Eiteljorg Museum

Before we left Indy, we spent a few hours at the Eiteljorg Museum in downtown.  It's dedicated to Native American and Western art and artifacts.  Of course, we went fairly quickly through the art because we didn't have a stroller and Camden wasn't thrilled about slowing down to look at pictures.  But all of us loved the one of the buffalo in the water.

  

They also were featuring, "Jingle Rails," a miniature train display of places across America, lit up with Christmas decorations.  The downtown Indy and Monument Circle was very cool!

We also liked Mt. Rushmore.

Downstairs was a hands-on kids section.  Camden liked exploring the home office and the old storefront.

Another special display was the "Art en la Charreria" or the art of the Mexican Equestrian Culture.  Camden liked that they had a stage where you could try on a few dresses.  There weren't many children's sizes, but she did her best twirling in a too huge one.

Surprisingly the one section of art that she was willing to get down to walk and explore was the modern art section.  She really liked the pieces hanging down and the colorful displays.

The final area also had a few hands on pieces where Camden could "weave" and explore and build a tepee.

One final picture outside by the deer in front of the museum.

Indianapolis Mini-Vacation

With the Christmas holidays, both Kevin and I had several days off, plus his regular Monday-Tuesday off, so we got a hotel in Indianapolis with an indoor pool to enjoy a few days of play.  Ever since going to ReeRee's meet, Camden has been talking about swimming, so we thought this was a perfect excuse to take her.

We arrived on Christmas day.  Camden was thrilled to get her suit on and get in the pool, despite it being slightly cold (again, she endures the temperature much more than her mother...).

Kevin and Camden make silly faces while riding the "alligator" from the 4th floor to the 1st floor to get to the pool.

We didn't have any floatation devices so Camden had to hold on to one of us the entire time.  But she's a dare devil and kept tempting fate.  We knew we had to get something for her, but it was Christmas and no stores were open.  We did find a Walgreens and a CVS, but since it was off season, there was nothing to be found.

Likewise, finding someplace to eat dinner proved difficult.  We drove around the southside of Indy to only find...you guessed it...a Chinese buffet.  It was pretty disappointing and half the stuff was cold.  Kevin even commented that a few of the things he ate didn't taste quite right.  Sure enough, that night he was violently sick and remained so for the next few days.  He decided to tough it out at the hotel since he could still watch the football games and we could still swim! 

Camden and I did make it to Meijer in the morning and get a nice floatation vest so she could enjoy the water a little more freely.  She loved that she could float near the steps and even doggie paddled a little on her own with me right next to her.  It's the plus side of a fearless child...she wanted to swim, so she did.  Even flipping over a few times and getting her head under water didn't deter her (she's on antibiotics for an ear infection, so we didn't let her go under besides the few oops moments while she was trying to swim). 

Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning in our house:  Sleep in until 8:30 (YES!), open a few presents, eat breakfast, play.  Perfect! 

Christmas Eve

In the afternoon, we head to GaGa and Grandpa's for an evening of eating, movies, and presents.  The older grandkids get money, but with two little ones, we had several gifts to open.

Hali helped Camden open her big box.



It was a HUGE tunnel with a tent.  Next, Hali opened her gifts.

Then it was time for everyone to try out the tunnel.

Daddy couldn't quite get his broad shoulders in...Camden tried to help him fit.

She even went to the other side to try to encourage him through.

Camden also got a ZhuZhu pet to chase around the house and scramble through the tunnel.  We also took one present for her to open.  Growing up, my sister and I always opened one present on Christmas Eve...new pajamas.  We are continuing that tradition with Camden.  She got a new Froggie footie set.  "Ribbit."



Advent: Day 24 - Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is always our busiest day.  We traditionally have Papaw done for a big breakfast and open presents so that Austin can go to his mom's on Christmas morning.  This year was no different, but we only gave Camden a few of her gifts since we would be home on Christmas morning to do the rest.

She already began opening one gift before breakfast, so as soon as she had permission to leave the table, she dug in and finished opening it immediately.

One of her first gifts was a Candyland game. 

I'm glad we bought several games on Black Friday.  She has already developed an interest in playing them and we usually get one out everyday and at least pull out the pieces  (wow, do you think she is my child?).  She excitedly showed her Papaw her new game.

Next she opened the two gifts from him.

They were special ornaments from Hallmark.  One has penguins ice skating and floating in inner tubes on a lazy river on the mountain.  It lights up and plays "Let It Snow."  She was quickly obsessed with this one and it is a favorite already.  We're just thankful the music is actually pretty, because otherwise it would be soooo annoying to hear over and over and over and over.....

The other one is a 2010 ornament that has a cute little snowman on it.

Once all the presents were open, we got to work playing Candyland.  With a little help, Camden was able to play an entire round.

Camden kept drawing double squares and had a commanding lead, but Daddy came from behind, with a draw of the ice cream square, and won the game.

Finally we got down the stockings and found all the treats inside.