Simplicity...

That is what I call the life most of the Amish live. In some ways I would love to live like the Amish. They are able to take life so much slower than we are....you can't be in a hurry when it takes 45 minutes to travel 8 miles! :)
On Saturday, November 10, most of the extended Lotterman family made the trip down to northern Indiana to visit some Amish friends of Mom Lotterman, and to watch a parade and lighting ceremony in "downtown" Shipshewana. We all left at different times, some earlier so they could walk through shops and visit favorite stores, and others later, who didn't need to shop. We all ended up at the home of David and Polly Miller and their 4 children. The Millers very graciously opened their home to all of us, and even took us on some buggy rides in a real Amish buggy! The little ones enjoyed riding with one of the Miller boys in a small buggy pulled by a pony, up and down the Miller's long driveway, in fact Calvin was pretty sure he was going to stay on the buggy all night long! :) We ended our visit with the Millers with some yummy snacks and fellowship in their kitchen.

The Miller's House

The horse and buggy we got to ride.

Some of the kiddos ready for their ride.

Some of the kiddos enjoying a buggy ride that is their size.

After we left the Millers we drove back to "downtown" Shipshewana to watch the parade and lighting ceremony. Almost all the floats in the parade were decorated with christmas lights. The kids really enjoyed it, and were super excited that their was candy too!

A horse and carriage decked out in lights!

A smart car...

A tractor and wagon...

A float promoting sunrooms....

A mini train full of kiddos.....

We left early from the lighing ceremony, as one of our children was a little cranky. Because the pizza place was so busy, we decided to stop at McDonalds on the way home. We arrived home around 9:30 PM after an uneventful trip.