Holiday World!

Last Wednesday, we went down to southern Indiana to go to Holiday World.  I grew up going there (friendliest park in the world!), but Josh's family had never been.  We went down with his parents, both his sisters, and his aunt and uncle with their family.  Since I lived so close growing up, I had never stayed near to the park (we stayed at Lake Rudolph campground).  It was a very nice campground with lots of activities-most notably karaoke...Party P (Emilee's boyfriend) was very entertaining!
 
As soon as we arrived, the little ones had a bouncing party up in the loft.





Having a blast jumping on the beds.









It was the week of Caleb and Brittany's birthdays, so we celebrated them both. 

Birthday boy opening up his presents.  I can't believe he is 1 already!














Showing off his new toy.

Sophie eating some birthday cake.  Looks like she's winking at me-must be up to something.











On Thursday, we went over to Holiday World.  Dave isn't exactly tall enough to ride the bigger rides yet, but the nice man at the log ride let him get on (he was about an inch too short).  This was my absolute favorite ride growing up, so I was excited to share it with the kids.

Dave looking a little skeptical.












While the guys rode some roller coasters, Britt and I took the toddlers to the little kid part.  It was pretty much a bust, but Sophie really enjoyed the carousel. 

Loved the tiny horses.

The kids got a little hot, so we let them relax in the shade and have a snack while waiting for the dads.

Then it was on to the old time cars.  Josh operated the pedal while Dave steered.  It was a rough ride.












I didn't take any pictures once we entered the water park, which is where we spent most of the day.  The kids really enjoyed running around and it sure tired Dave out!

Back at the cabin, getting a little fishing in.

Caleb enjoying his birthday toy-so close to walking.













Friday morning, we got everything together and headed home.  Short trip, but we had a blast.  Big thank you to Josh's parents for funding the cabin!  It was great to have everybody together and just relax.

Petting Zoo

Saturday was a really gorgeous day, so we took Dave to the petting zoo in Gas City.






The baby goats really wanted his cereal.

He definitely got their attention!

Having a little snack of his own.  

Feeding the deer (reindeer?). 













The boys have been out of school for a week now, with two weeks to go.  This has been very difficult with an active toddler who is used to us being able to do stuff with him throughout the day when the boys are in school.  To help him out, we've been doing lots of arts and crafts time.  

Working on one of his many paintings.








Thankfully, we took a day off on Wednesday, and we're going down to Holiday World to hang out with some of Josh's family for a couple of days.  Should be a lot of fun, and maybe it will even cool off a little...probably wishful thinking!

Summer Days

We have been working really hard on keeping Dave entertained with it being so hot out lately.  On most of our days off, we just head to Josh's parents to chill in their pool.  When we are on duty, we have to get a little more creative.  

One of Dave's favorite activities is turning his little sand pit into a mud pit.  

Looking so innocent before the water starts flowing.  Video of him playing in the puddles.







Last Thursday, I had to get up and go to my doctor's office for my glucose screen (really exciting stuff) so Josh and Dave tagged along and went to a couple stores while they waited for me.  After my appointment, we headed out to the Wabash County Fair to see the animals.

Goats!

He really loved the bunnies.















Since we didn't get to see any fireworks, Josh set off a couple of smoke bombs at his parents' house.

Dave thought it was pretty cool.









Friday we headed to Logansport again to see Josh's uncle Scott who was in from Chicago.  On the way there, Josh helped push a lady's car out of an intersection.  He's always one to help out!

I'm sure he'll appreciate me posting this picture!  








These are just random pictures of Dave playing the drums today.  Future musician?

I have been working on getting stuff ready for the new baby, while at the same time preparing Dave for what's about to happen.  He has been extremely attached to me lately, but I'm hopeful we can help ease him out of this phase before the baby comes.  He's also been testing boundaries lately and not listening super well-maybe just terrible twos kicking in?  If I come up with a magical cure, I'll be sure to dedicate a post to it!

Hanging with the Cousins

On Sunday, we went to Indy to see Caleb and Sophie.  Brittany had to work all weekend and they needed help with the kiddos after church.  So we went with Josh's parents to help out.  Dave absolutely refused to be in the nursery without me (he's going through that phase again, blech), but it gave me an opportunity to take some pictures.








Sophie reading a book to the other nursery worker.

Dave questioning Caleb's use of the slide.

Playing on the rug.  Here's a video of the kids playing.

 Check out those teeth!













After church, we headed to Chuck E. Cheese-fun times.  The kids played and we watched for the most part.

Dave loved this bike that you pedal and it moves up and down.

Turns out Sophie liked it too!

What a ham-he always smiles for my pictures.

Having a blast in the hot chocolate ride.

4th of July and Birthdays

 On the 4th, my mom came over to hang out with us since she's back to working in Ohio.  She mostly took Dave off of our hands since we were working and the guys are out of school.  They spent a couple of hours cooling off in Barry and Divana's pool with the Smiths and then came back here for the rest of the day.






 Blowing bubbles with Gamma.

He really enjoyed the colorful bubbles, but they sure made a mess!











On Saturday, we went over to Logansport to visit with Mary and Dave and then to Josh's aunt Gayle and Uncle Bob's house for some birthday celebrating.  It was his cousin Brody and Uncle Fritz's birthdays.  Fritz is in for the week from Houston, so it was nice we were able to catch him while he's in Indiana.

The pool was welcome relief from the heat!

Uncle Bob got the hose out for the dog to drink some cold water.  Apparently Dave was pretty hot too.

Birthday boys blowing out their candles.  

The Bowyer siblings with Grandma Bertie (and Dave of course).

Us and Uncle Fritz.

John and Diane's Wedding

On Saturday I played photographer for Josh's uncle's wedding.  It was such an honor to be a part of the happy celebration!  Here are just a few of the pictures I took (mostly of our family), and if you happen to want to see more here's the website.  johnanddianewedding.shutterfly.com






 Dave looking dapper in his new polo.

Josh's cousin Jordon, Chad, uncle John, and Josh before the wedding.

Grandparents and the cousins.  

Caleb with Caitlyn and Natalia (cousins)

The Smith family-Sophie wasn't being cooperative!

Dave and Caleb racing around the reception.

Bride and Groom before cutting the cake.

Sophie and Dave cutting a rug on the dance floor.

Sophie really appreciated the Sycamore ice cream,

Diane and I-such a beautiful bride!

Dave helping to send the couple off.  They provided cow bells, tube things to bang together, and pom poms.  It was really fun and quite noisy!

Last Days of Vacation

Well our glorious two week vacation has now come to an end.  Back to work today!  We aren't too bummed about going back to work, but we sure will miss sleeping in.  

 Here are some pictures from our last couple of days in Gatlinburg.

Tuesday morning Josh and I got up and went for a hike without Dave (my mom watched him for us).  We went up to Grotto Falls and it was definitely worth the hike!






 I finally figured out how to take pictures of a waterfall.  Josh actually took this picture, but I was giving him pointers!

Dave fishing while we were hiking.










That afternoon, we went down into Gatlinburg again to buy some more taffy (I think I ate at least a pound of it by myself...oops) and go out to eat with mom and Justin.  We went to the Smoky Mountain Brewery and Restaurant again-delicious food!

Family picture in front of Dave's favorite attraction-a horse riding a man.  Classy Dave.







Mom and Justin headed home on Wednesday, then we had our last day to ourselves.  So we went shopping in Pigeon Forge and then came back to the cabin to pack.  

Dave dancing in the kitchen.

Outside of the cabin.









We had a great time hanging out in the Gatlinburg area.  I would recommend going into the national park as often as possible and avoiding the cities.  Our cabin rental was awesome if anyone wants the information on it-and the guy cut us a great deal. Thanks to everyone who came down to hang out with us, it was so much fun to see everybody and relax!