One seed can start a garden, one candle can light a room, one step can begin a journey, one conversation can start a friendship, one smile from a handmade card can lift one's SPIRIT!

Friday, July 1, 2016

A little vacation

Scott and I flew to Chicago with our daughter's family and spent 21/2 days in the city.  This picture was taken at the Planetarium and we thought the cityscape behind us was beautiful
 
From Chicago we drove to Indianapolis where our oldest granddaughter is playing in the USA National Tournament in the 16 division.  They have completed two days of play and came in second in their pool.  Tomorrow's win/losses will determine if we make it into the Gold division.
Brenda got "wind" of me coming to Indy (months ago) and arranged to meet me and she invited Sharyn who is on the Seize the Birthday Design team with me.  They picked me up and we went to a deli called Shapiro's...it had yummy food and we sat until almost 5 pm just talking and getting to know each other.  They are such sweet girls!  Brenda (who is sitting behind me... and I am in blue) gave me a little package that included my favorite daily read book:  Jesus Calling, two packages of Tim Holtz Distress Crayons and a souvenir from her city...a wonderful tile with a collage of historical sites to see here in her city.  Meeting in person the people that we meet in blogland is just wonderful.  We leave comments all the time on each others cards, but meeting in person is so special and these two ladies are some of the sweetest ones EVER and I am so happy to now call them friends.
And today is a special day... the young girl in the center is Ellie and today she is 15 years old!  Yes she already knows she is going for that drivers permit on Tuesday July 5th when we are back from this trip!  Her two best friends on the team are on her left and right.  This is the fourth year they have played together on the same team.  Ellie's sister, Lily just turned 13 last Sunday and she is front right.  The young girl front left is Lily's friend and beach volleyball partner and the sister of the girl sitting behind her.  Ellie chose P.F. Chang's for her birthday dinner.
 
Downtown Indianapolis is amazing...I would vote to come here every year for a tournament.  There are over 200 restaurants all within easy walking distance and a fabulous mall that has above the street walkways connecting to all the hotels and even the convention center!
 
Two days of volleyball completed, two to go... tomorrow we play to get into the Gold Division... hope the girls show up!! *wink!!
 

Heart Hugs, friends!








9 comments:

Sharyn Polesel said...

Sounds like you have had a very successful trip with lots of fun and new memories. So happy that we had the opportunity to get together. Brenda and I had a great time. It's always nice to make a new friend and crafty friends are the best! Have a safe trip home.

Birgit said...

It looks like an amazing time, Colleen! How fun that you got to meed some blogging buddies. I sure hope I get to meet some of you gals some day. I feel so isolated here in Maine. ;0) The picture of the girls is adorable! What a fun time for you all!

Mimi said...

I appreciated your thoughtful comment at my blog and thought I'd come say hi... I ended up over on this family post and naturally enjoyed my coffee while reading. Great little vacation, great to meet Blogland friends in person, great grandkids. Have a great 4th!

Greta said...

What a fun trip & fingers crossed they make it into the gold division! Wonderful picture of you & hubby & so glad you're enjoying Indy! Big changes since my folks were growing up there! Wonderful picture of those darling girls! Nothing like meeting blogging friends & hope we can get together again one day!

Loll said...

Sounds like a fun trip and always fun to spend time with grandkids. So great that you could meet up with two stamping friends --- looks like you girls were having a great time. :) xx

A splash of color said...

WOW what a great trip.. old friends and new.. family.. sports and restaurants so you don't have to clean or do dishes.. Sweet..

Kim Heggins said...

Wow...looks like you had a fabulous time away. Love all your sweet photos.

Brenda in IN said...

It was so wonderful to meet you in person and Sharyn and I had a delightful time. Those five hours just flew by. I will be thrilled if you can come again. Your granddaughters are just lovely young women and their friends too. I'm so happy you had a good time and I love the picture of you and hubby against the skyline of Chicago.

Nancy said...

It was so nice to read this post and it sounds like I need to make a trip to Indianapolis! Meeting fellow Bloggers and DT members is priceless! So glad this worked out for you! Great pics!