Indianapolis Children's Museum

It is not very often that I get to see my cousin Jen and her family, so when we found out that we were would be in neighboring states this summer, we set up a playdate at the Indianapolis Children's Museum. It was so good to see her and her family. (How did her kids grow so much? Mine have stayed exactly the same size...)

Until next time, Jen... Thanks again for meeting us! :)

Iowa Vacation

My immediate family met for a few days in Iowa to spend some time together. Caleb and Christina were able to come in from MN, and Rebecca and Adam left for KS immediately afterward, but we all had a great time together as a family.

The hotel had a nice patio area where we were able to grill out.

It also had a pool, so we spent loads of time there. Madeline found out the hard way that she still needs a floatie, but she bounced back quickly.

We saw a little of the city...

Took a riverboat ride...

Hiked in what we decided was one of our most favorite state parks ever.

Played with sparklers... (No pictures of Olivia because she got a pretty bad burn. She was a tough cookie, too.)

Then watched a fireworks display.

All in all, it was an awesome trip!

Pennsylvania Vacation

We met most of Will's immediate family at a cabin in northern Pennsylvania this year to spend a few days together.

The kids loved spending time with their cousins. This was the only time of the day when they were all quiet.

They also threw rocks in the pond full of salamanders. Only hit each other once or twice.

The owner of the cabin took us on a drive around the property, where we spotted a bear.

There were a few deer so tame that Gabriella fed them through the fence.

Kim & Chris organized a canoe trip, which turned into a canoe race between the kids.

This was the view from Will's canoe when he was actually sitting up, not lying down in the back.

We also went on a nice long hike together through the woods and to a lookout point. Gwen said she would skip this next time... but I think secretly she thought it was pretty awesome. And Kim proved that she could carry Chris--not that she had a choice right then.

The last night had an unfortunate ending, with Graham swallowing a fish bone (chew your food, child!) and us heading to a couple of ER's.

But we discovered some amazing moths when we came back.

Looking forward to doing this again with Ben & Tabatha sometime!

Graduation

Gabriella graduated from preschool in May. There was no disappointment for her. Preschool was not enough like real school--"too much free play"--so she was glad when kindergarten started. Just to remember the occasion, however, here are some pictures.

Grampie

My grampie, my mom's dad, passed away in June. We miss him a lot... When we visit Mom & Dad now, I still half expect him to come shuffling out of the back bedroom. He was a solid man and a strong Christian, and we know we will see him again someday.

The kids and I went out for the funeral and enjoyed getting to see some relatives we don't see very often.

It was a long couple of days for the kids... It was their first real experience with death. Lots of driving and lots of being quiet. Finally, Chase couldn't take it anymore, so he built a funeral train. I think Grampie would have gotten a kick out of it.

And wouldn't you know it? The van wouldn't start. But the funeral home guys took good care of us and jumped us off the hearse.

The funeral was a great celebration of Grampie's life, and I am so glad we were able to go.

Summer Fun

Camping in the backyard.

Practicing ninja moves.

Gabriella fashioned some flipflops out of rubberbands and clothespins.

Every year, we go to Chick-fil-a's Dress Like a Cow Day. I know Grandpa Funk would not approve of the black and white, but I'm afraid the employees wouldn't think a brown costume was legit. Don't want to jeopardize the chance to get free kids' meals...

I love it when the kids discover "new" games like Foursquare. They played this outside for weeks.

We went to a waterpark one day, and the kids were pretty wiped out aftewards.

While Adam & Rebecca were in for a few weeks, we put shaving cream all over our slide. It was good for a lot of laughs, but a rough landing for the kids' behinds.

This boy loves his stuffed animals.

Fishing

Will is really good about taking the kids fishing over the summer. He is also really good about not making me come along.

In return, every year for his birthday, I give Will a coupon for some guilt-free fishing trips. Sometimes he even sends photos.