Mitchell's Birthday (Chocolate & Amish)

Today was Mitchell's birthday and yesterday we kept messing with him and telling him we were going to Amish country and he had to eat peas for his birthday. This morning, we told him that we had found a pea factory and that we were going to take a tour. I told him that they had chocolate covered peas and he still wasn't happy about it. So, he was pretty happy when we pulled into the chocolate factory instead of pea factory. I found it this morning while looking up what was in South Bend, Indiana

 We all had to put the hair nets on to go in the factory.

 This chocolate is only made in this factory, but they ship it nationwide and have recently picked up a contract overseas.

 The candy making factory wasn't in operation today, since it was Saturday, but the next few pictures show the conveyor belts that they make it and sort it on.

 The next part of the tour was for them to make their own chocolate covered spoons. The girl demonstrated it first. The boys were paying special attention, but I think more excited to get to eat some.

 Most of us have gotten the chocolate Valentine Heart with candy. This is the world's largest heart box. 4 ft. tall and 100 lbs of chocolate.

 This is a solid chocolate Santa that weighed 65 lbs and cost $500. The boys are holding their spoons that they dipped and the free chocolate/caramel bar they got. I'll have to say that was some GOOD chocolate. Sorry we couldn't bring some back to our friends (of course it would have melted) :)

 These are different shapes of chocolate that they do.

 What a fun unexpected stop on this trip.

 I forgot to mention we were just going to drive through South Bend to see Notre Dame. After seeing the college we found another fun surprise for all three boys.

 There was a Muscle Car & Street Rod car show on the main street from the college. We were looking for a place to eat and decided to stop there.

 This is Buddy's dream car a 1970 Mustang Boss 302

 Mitchell wanted Mexican, so we ate at Chipotle's and I'll have to say, it was really good. It was right on the same street as the car show.

 After we ate the car show was winding down and Buddy got a few more pics.

 We then arrived at Shipshewana, IN (Amish Country) 

 This is the horse that was driving the buggy we rode on the farm tour. Nolen and Buddy got to ride in the front with the driver and Nolen ended up getting to drive a lot of the way.

 This is a real Amish working farm.

 There were several new baby calves born just within the past few weeks. One was just born today. A little wobbly walking.

 This is Kenny our buggy driver. The farm we toured belonged to his son. This is the same farm we came to 5 years ago. He is demonstrating thrashing of wheat as Jesus did it.

 This is the youngest daughter that we saw 5 years ago. She is getting milk to feed the new baby calves.

 Nolen was eager to do everything. 

 Finally talked Mitchell into feeding the calf too.

 Milking station

 Amish are very inventive. They have church every two weeks in different houses. The family that hosts church has to provide the seating and tables. Hundreds of people come, so this is how they make transporting tables and seating. This is the pews. (small version) 

 Then they can turn it into tables after church when they have their big dinner after.

 And finally we are at a pretty cool Holiday Inn Express for the kids (bunk beds) They swam again and I think they are getting pretty tired. I don't think they are use to running our pace.

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Indy to Lake Michigan Day 2

I think Buddy was as excited to go to Indianapolis Speedway as the boys were. In fact we woke up way too early. As it was, we woke the boys up way too early because we weren't real sure how long it would take us to get through the Indianapolis traffic, but there wasn't any. We were there an hour before we could even get in the museum. So we walked around the grounds awhile. Took way more pictures than I'm going to post. This is the entrance to the museum.

 I thought I was going to have to pick Nolen's jaw up off the floor when he first walked in and saw all the cars.

 The three of them had to kiss the bricks at start finish line. A tradition in Nascar after winning a race.

 This is the tower where all the media takes place during the race.

 Victory lane

 The room where drivers do interviews.

 Media room for during the race. Hundreds of tv monitors and cable hook ups.

 The track at one time was all Bricks at one time. This is all that is left since it was paved. This is the start finish line.

 Just can't describe how big the track actually is. It is 2 1/2 miles around. 

 We then drove 2 1/2 hours north to Michigan City, IN. I kept trying to tell the boys it looks like the ocean, but I don't think they believed me, until they actually saw it. This is a small lighthouse at the end of a pier where they were swimming.

 The water was quite a shock to them at first. It was very cold, but they got use to it pretty quick.

 After they got out, we walked to the end of the pier to the lighthouse.

 These are the Indiana Dunes, taken from the pier of where the lighthouse was. We were going to go climb them, but I knew the boys were tired and was afraid to overdo it. 

After we got back to the hotel, they swam and got in hot tub. Buddy went and got pizza. It is now 8:30 and they are in bed watching a movie, but I think they will be out before long. Tomorrow is Mitchell's birthday, and I told him I would let him sleep in. We are headed to the Amish country tomorrow and they were both so worried that there wouldn't be anywhere to stay that had electricity or food that they liked. 

Day 1 Trip w/Nolen & Mitchell

We are taking a little trip to the North with grandsons Nolen & Mitchell. We left this afternoon and drove to Indianapolis. The boys were great on the ride here. When we pulled into the hotel this first thing we saw was a show car.

 Needless to say they were just a little excited.