Getting ready for Christmas

We have been busy this month getting ready for the holidays.  We visited Santa at The Children's Museum this year.  They had a nice breakfast with time to talk to Santa.  We also made some crafts including our own bag for the yule slide.  

Jake was excited to finally get to climb the rock wall.   We usually aren't there at the right time to get signed up. 

We also met Matt, Erin, Hayden, and Nolan at the zoo. It's hard to get 4 kiddos to sit still for pictures. 

Fall Happenings

We're a little behind on posting pictures lately.  Here are some updates of our events this fall.

 Both boys played soccer this Fall.  This was Jake's best year so far!  This was Carson's first year to play a sport.  He wasn't really a fan of it in the beginning, but by the end of the season he seemed to be enjoying it more. 

Over Fall Break, we camped at East Fork State Park in Ohio.  It was a pretty rainy and cold trip and we spent a lot of time in the camper.  We went to the Cincinnati Museum Center on one of the rainy days.  It is a really nice museum for kids.  

Carson's first attempt at roller skating!  He didn't do much skating but I thought this was a pretty funny picture. 

Happy Halloween!  This the most miserable trick-or-treating weather.  But, we still got out to some houses and most people were pretty generous. 

Jake's Boy Scout Pack recently held the Raingutter Regatta.  Jake got first place in his Den during the race.  The boys also had to make a cake for an auction.   

 

A Visit from Great Great Grandma Peggy

Great Great Grandma Peggy recently visited us from Florida.  It is great that she is able to fly here and spend time with us.  We enjoyed a fun day poolside at Terry's house.

 Five Generations

Custer State Park, South Dakota

We went to Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota for a week this summer.  Mamaw & Papaw took the camper.  We had a cabin next door.  Geoff, Kat, Peyton, & Logan also joined us and had the cabin next to us.  It was nice to relax and enjoy family time.   Besides exploring Custer, some of our trip high-lights were: Mt. Rushmore, Devil's Tower, Safari Jeep Ride, 1880's Train Ride, Omaha Zoo, & visiting friends in Bettendorf, Iowa. Here are just a few of the almost 1,000 pictures we had when we got home.  

 The Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD

 Mount Rushmore

 Family hike at Sylvan Lake in Custer

 Nightly walk to the camp store for Papaw to spoil everyone with ice cream!

Devil's Tower, Wyoming

Jake & Mike went on a Jeep Safari while Carson & Melissa rode the 1880's Train.  

We made a quick stop at the Omaha Zoo. We definitely need to go back and spend more time there.  

A Busy Summer So Far

June is almost over and it has been a busy month.   The summer began with a baseball tournament.  Jake's team won the championship, which was pretty exciting.  They ended up in 2nd place during the regular season also. Lately we've been keeping very busy with activities at the library and VBS. We've been to the zoo and the boys have been camping also.  Jake is taking tennis lessons and participated in mini 4H this year. 

 Fun in the Jeep!

 CHAMPIONS!!

 Carson is ready for the Zoo roller coaster.  He loved it so much I think he is ready for Kings Island.  He kept his hands up the whole time.

 4H Fair - Hands up for this coaster too!