Our Trip to Shipshewana

Apple Butter, Buggy Rides, Amish Built Furniture, The Essenhaus Restaurant, Yoder's Meat & Cheese Company....I could go on and on about our 4th of July weekend trip south! We had such a good time just being together as a little family, and it was such a relaxing time.

We stayed at a Holiday Inn Express near Elkhart and drove into Middlebury the following day to walk through the Shipshewana area. Our first stop was at Menno-Hof; a beautiful farm dedicated to sharing the history, faith, and everyday life of the Amish and Mennonites. After going on a historical tour (well, I did- Blake & Josh ended up on the fast track to the play area), we spent time walking around out side and taking in the beautiful scenery.

King of the King-sized bed!

Blake and Daddy

Hangin' with Momma

TWO Blake's!

Menno-Hof

The Quilt Garden

Then we were on our way over to the Shipshewana Horse Auction and little shops along the way!

I had brought along my Maya Ring Sling (my $4 thrift store jewel!), and it turned out to be the BEST thing for keeping Blake happy- and contained! We walked through Yoder's Shopping Center, then took a snack break and got big, soft pretzels that were D-Licious!

Blake ended up falling asleep in the sling on my back, so it was nice not to have to stop and try to get him to nap somewhere. Josh and I enjoyed walking through a HUGE antique market, Yoder's Meat and Cheese (where we picked up some beef jerky and sharp cheddar cheese to bring home), and the horse auction.

Later in the day we drove over to the Essenhaus Restaurant and had a good time walking through a few more little shops and antique stores. There were so many, many things I could have brought home with me! Before having dinner, we took a buggy ride around the Essenhaus property to see the big hotel, where they make their famous noodles, and the beautiful flower gardens. Blake must have been getting hungry because about half way through our buggy ride, he decided he was done and threw his Bo (paci, bink, nuk) out of the carriage in a fit of despair!!

The Essenhaus "Bushes"

Mommy and Blake in the buggy

Blake and Daddy

Dinner was divine! We had broasted chicken with homemade noodles, fresh veggies, mashed potatoes, rolls....I think I gained 5 pounds in one meal. So yummy! I think we were all stuffed to the point of passing out, and knew it was time to head back to the hotel. Blake did so good throughout the day...it's nice to be able to go places like this and see his excitement over things like a HUGE hotel bed, lots and lots of horsies, fresh kettle corn, and swimming in the hotel pool.

On our way home the next day, we stopped at the National College Football Hall of Fame and then headed into Michigan City to hit the outlet shops. We found some great deals on clothes for all of us- especially for Blake's fall and next summer wardrobe.

There's something about the Amish living that intrigues me...

Obviously I love living 10 minutes from the mall and wearing makeup & jewelry, but the thought of living so simply and without distraction seems appealing to me at times. Maybe it was just getting out of town and the same ol' , same ol' routine. Maybe it was just taking a step back from the busy-ness of life and savoring the simple, quiet wonder of a cloudless day...but whatever it was, I loved it!