Indiana

We concluded our summer's North America tour with a fun week up in Indiana with Chad and his family.  It was slightly complicated making the logistics of this leg work having to drive from Florida and drop Scott off in Atlanta for his flight back to London before continuing on to Indiana and then drive back to Atlanta the week later for our flight back to London (which in one case involved a missed connection and an unwanted overnight at JFK), but we managed and it was worth the trouble.  The 9 cousins had a blast hanging out at the house and probably would have been happy doing that all week.  But we were treated to a wonderful, fun couple of days of boating on Chad's fabulous boat up at a lake an hour from their house.  We all had a blast, and the time on the boat was really a highlight of our summer.  I hadn't been waterskiing in years, and the kids had never been, so it was really exciting for us to have this chance.  And Chad is the best captain and water sport instructor.  It was so fun seeing all the kids face the challenge and gain some confidence all while having a ton of fun together with their cousins.  It was a great week, and we are grateful we had the chance to spend time with Chad and his family.

A great group cousin photo Brooke snapped.

The sole Monroe girl cousins

Out on the boat!

We were excited to have the rare chance to celebrate the 4th of July actually in the USA.  We enjoyed a nice day at home with a BBQ, but the fun sort of stopped there.  We planned on going to see the town's annual riverside fireworks show, and just after we got settled in our lawn chairs disaster struck.  All of the sudden a massive downpour descended and there was no where to run for cover.  And when I say downpour it was as if there was a giant pouring a giant bucket of water, and it just kept coming and coming.  All attempts to keep dry were all but futile and every nook and cranny, and every single layer of clothing was just completely drenched.  It was an uncomfortable walk back to the cars, and real disappointment missing out on 4th of July fireworks, but it was a memorable night we won't soon forget!