Fifth Christmas in Valparaiso
We were in the midst of preparing veggies and things when everyone arrived. So much of the time, we all just hung out in the kitchen – cooking, drinking wine, and visiting a bit.
We were in the midst of preparing veggies and things when everyone arrived. So much of the time, we all just hung out in the kitchen – cooking, drinking wine, and visiting a bit.
Liz and I joked that this would be our fourth Christmas, since we had already celebrated in Detroit, then in Indianapolis, and then again with just the two of us.
This is a really great spot, and some place I would love to come back to with a book. I’d like to sit here again for an hour or two, sipping on coffee and just relaxing for a bit.
After a late breakfast, all of us wandered over to the Kohler showroom to check out the various new things on display.
Kohler is a favorite vacation spot for Julie/Bob, and the last time Liz and I accompanied them was nearly seven years ago (back in 2011).
Liz and I left the city on Wednesday, and headed out to Valparaiso to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with Julie and Bob. Today, we mostly just bummed around the house before the festivities (and Katie/Tim’s family came over).
Liz and I got talking earlier in the week, and we came to a decision about the weekend. We’ve been working pretty nonstop on the house – and with Bob, it’s just been house house house all the time. Our only context has been working on the house, lately.
So we decided to call it an early Saturday, and asked to spend the night in Valparaiso. Our goal would be to just hang out a bit more socially, outside of the housework. And just do something that didn’t involve tools or demo of any kind.
Aunt Kathy and Uncle Lanny were visiting Julie and Bob this weekend, and on Sunday they drove in to the city to hang out with us. We all met up at Lagunitas, a spot that we all enjoyed a few months back when we visited for Father’s Day.
Today was a big work day, as Bob and Julie came over for an early start. While Bob was working in the basement, Liz and Julie were working in the yard to get a head start (before the heat got too strong).
Easter dinner, which would later be followed by some apple pie. Great meal, great weekend.
Liz and I got to stay in the basement at the lakehouse, and that room always results in more sleep that we intended. Given that the room has no windows, it’s easy to lose track of time – and to roll out of bed around 9:30 or 10AM without thinking twice.
Friday after work, Liz and I headed out to Michigan to visit the Denler family and to stay at the Christiana lake house over Easter weekend. We’ve visited before, and it’s always an incredibly relaxing time just resting and catching up with family.
As part of a birthday gift for Bob, Liz signed the four of us up for some cocktail classes, held at Koval Distillery. After meeting up after work for a quick dinner at Lady Gregory’s, we headed over for our class at Koval.
A pretty slow day in Valpo. A lot of putzing around, not much of anything beyond relaxing. I snapped this photo of Liz, sharing a new favorite beer with Julie.
Somehow, between the presents and breakfast, Jahnu lost a tooth!