Quaker Haven Camp and Getting Ready for Yellowstone

The boys were able to all go to camp together again this year! We had to finagle it a bit but they all went to the junior high camp in mid June. They had an absolute blast, it's so fun to hear their stories when we go pick them up!

While they were gone Josh and I made some delicious dinners like this one-chicken cutlet with a caesar salad on top. So good!

And I walked with Josh while he played 9 one day, Etna is so pretty!

Once the kids were home we were in vacation getting ready mode. And they took a ride on the giant golf cart Josh uses for campus tours. 

I had piles of stuff all over the living room!

 

Family Camp 2023

Family Camp was so much fun again this year. We had awesome weather and spent a lot of quality time together (and apart!). 

Of course the kids got canteen every day :)

It's so peaceful at Quaker Haven. 

Josh was John for a while before he fixed it. 

This sunset was so beautiful. Popcorn night!

Ike wanted to remember how great his sandwich looked. 

 

Can't wait until next Labor Day!

Summer Camp and Cousins

The boys all were able to head to Quaker Haven camp together this summer. They were beyond excited to all go and they even got in the same cabin! We met up at Aunt Gayle's house to swim and pick up the Smith boys on the Saturday before camp. 

Sunday before we took the boys to camp we went to church and then had a quick lunch with Josh's parents. 

On our way!

Ben came to camp this year as well and was also in their cabin. 

Time to pick them up!

The Smith boys stayed one more night with us so they got to hang out with the neighborhood crew.

The boys all had a blast-they spent lots of time swimming in the lake and told us all kinds of stories about the food and the friends they made at camp. I think they're going to be able to go to the same camp again next year! So fun for them to make memories every summer. 

Next up is the quick trip Josh and I took to Michigan since the boys were gone for the week!
 

Friends, Family Camp, Covid in Evansville

September was a super busy month for us! The boys love going to the football games (not to watch, to hang out of course), they have a million activities right now and we went to Family Camp and Evansville!

Dave's buddies at a game. 

Had more kids over to hang out and play outside while the weather was still great. 

I was pretty much making pickles nonstop. 

And taking garden pictures. I have a problem!

We had a great time at Family Camp. I didn't take many pictures, but we had good weather and great fellowship. Also pretty sure this is where Dave picked up Covid!

The next weekend we went to Evansville. Dave had been feeling kinda sick, but we really thought it was allergies. 

Day two of being there Dave felt really bad and we tested him...

 

We stayed one more night since it was late when we found out then we headed back home a day early. Josh ended up catching it from Dave, so he was on quarantine for a while too. Ike and I squeaked through it but we had it in February so I kinda thought we would be ok. Thankfully neither of them was very sick and we didn't pass it along to anyone that I know of!

Rest of July

The rest of July seemed to fly by once we were home from our trip. We had a lot of fun and did put in some long hours painting the deck!

Ike next to his sunflower of the year. 

Josh power washed the deck before we left...I spent the week we got back painting it!

While tending my garden one evening I watched a cicada emerge from its shell. So cool!

Dinner in Logansport to celebrate Grandma Mary's birthday. 

Ike and Zac had camp for four nights. Unfortunately, Ike and Josh got super sick with a stomach bug and Zac had to go up by himself for a couple nights before Ike could join him!

Pre-illness. 

Definition of happy campers once Ike could finally join!

Meanwhile Dave went to hang out with Caleb for a couple nights in Indy and then he hosted a get-together with his friends, Caleb included!

I canned so many pickles! So nice to have the month of July off to accomplish tasks like this.

We were home for the demolition derby this year! 

The boys finally built my new lego succulent display for my office. It's so cute!

Spontaneous ice cream trip, and Grandpa Boo met us there to enjoy.

One afternoon I snagged some fellas to head to Mississinewa Beach with me :)

White's had a carnival type thing for the employees...one of the main attractions was a dunk tank. Josh got volunteered for it and the boys took a couple minutes of his time slot so they could try it.

Grandma and Dave twinning. 

Lots and lots of walks with the boys. I absolutely love that they will still go walking with me.

This sunflower was crazy, kind of like a conjoined twin.