Camping Fun

We were able to enjoy several camping trips this summer.  It is so nice to be able to get away from everyday life and just enjoy each other.  No TV, video games, iPods, etc.....you get the picture!  Here are pictures from our camping adventures!

Nascar RV Resort, Monticello

We took Gerardo and Vanessa on a camping trip with us this summer.  The kids all had so much fun!

Waterpark!

Ferry boat ride to Indiana Beach

Tippicanoe State Park, Winamac (Summer Potluck)

Some of the guys playing Washoes

So many boys!

Lunchtime

Landon loves hanging out with Elijah

Most of the kids.  Such good friends and great memories!

France Park, Logansport

We went to France Park with Nick and Sandra and their kids and had a blast! 

Hiking

We hiked to a waterfall....pretty cool!  I can't imagine what it would have looked like had we gotten rain this summer!

Just like one of the kids:-)

Beach time!

This was the kids' favorite place to play....it was their little cave right by our campsites

Mississinewa Campground, Peru (Labor Day)

A group of us have started an annual Labor Day camping trip, and let's just say this year was quite interesting!  It rained and rained.  The kids had an absolute blast with the rain, making some wonderful memories together. 

Thankfully, Leman's brought their 'smoke tent' so we were still able to enjoy a fire during the rain.

Riding bikes in the rain

I really have no other words for this photo than....Oh My!

They had so.much.fun. in this mud pit!

Buddies

Mud puddles

Playing games:-)

All the kids (minus Ellie). 

10 Wonderful Years.....

Lance and I recently celebrated our 10 year anniversary with a vacation to the Dominican Republic.  Why the Dominican?  Well, we actually searched everything....Cancun, Riviera Mya, Jamaica, St Lucia....you name it, we tried it.  The Dominican is where we found the best deal.  It was absolutely fabulous....best vacation ever!  We still randomly talk about how much fun we had.

We stayed at an all-inclusive resort, which was wonderful.  We did venture out a little and went on an Outback Safari throughout the country.  It is a beautiful country!  We also walked down the road a little ways and shopped at the markets, which was quite the experience to say the least!  We met some amazing new friends who happen to live in Chicago, so we are able to stay in touch very easily. 

This was the most amazing vacation ever, and we really hope to go again someday and take the kids.  They would love it!  Who wouldn't, right?  Here are a few pictures from the week.....

Going to dinner

All ready for our Outback Safari excursion. 

We went to one of the public beaches during our excursion....it was so beautiful!

Our tour guide, Angel.  He was great!

The schoolhouse we visited

We were able to visit one family's home



The view from my favorite spot every afternoon.  We came here almost every day after lunch and I would either read my book or take a nap.  Lance couldn't sit still long enough and would usually end up finding a game to play or heading out into the ocean.

Me and our friend Kate with 2 of the entertainers, Beauty and Cappuccino.  The entertainment staff was phenomenal and made the trip so fun!





 

Lance getting ready for some pool with our friend Matt and 2 of the entertainers, Beauty and Cappuccino

During the turndown service in the evenings, they would fill our bathtub since it was our anniversary

Hanging out at the pool

Lance with Beauty and Cappuccino

Happy 4th Birthday Maddox!

I cannot believe that my baby boy turned 4 years old today!  He is so sweet and loveable and always has a huge smile on his face.  He brings so much joy to our lives!  Happy Birthday Maddox!  We love you so much!

Here are a few pictures of birthday festivities.....

 We always have to have a picture with our 'Birthday Sign'

 Maddox with his jet cake

 Presents from Grandma and Grandpa

 Presents from us

 Presents from Nanny and Papa

 Lunch with friends

Enjoying some birthday cookies after lunch. (Thanks Tanya!)

Maddox told me he wanted to have friends over for his birthday, so that's how we spent our day.....with friends!  We invited a couple of his friends over that morning (and we moms enjoyed some coffee, of course!).  We then went to the Patio for lunch and to the park to play for a while.  Then we had to pick up the kids from school and it was off to the dentist (I know - I'm so mean!).  As soon as we got home from the dentist we went to Whistle Stop to eat (Maddox's choice) and then on to Kelsey's softball game.  It was a super busy day, but I think the Birthday Boy enjoyed himself!

The First of Many Camping Trips

This past weekend we were finally able to go camping and enjoy our new camper. We really wanted to do something fun with the kids since it was their spring break, but with Lance's work schedule and the weather, we just went for one night. The kids had so much fun and can't wait to go again!

Here are the kids right after we got there, posing with the camper

The playground was right across from our campsite, which was so awesome. The kids played on it a lot, and we were able to see them from where we were sitting. Maddox was so proud that he could do this slide bar all by himself!

My little monkey....

So sweet:-)

Taking after his father.....he loves being by the fire!

Being silly in the camper

Hiking through the woods

My boys

Maddox face-planted into the dirt. He really wants me to delete this picture, but it's just too cute I couldn't! His whole face was covered!

Bedtime....settling down and watching "Rio" (I know....what a way to camp!)

Nick and Sandra and their boys came over for the day to hang out, but sadly I didn't even think to get my camera out!! We really enjoyed having them......the kids all got along so well playing on the playground and riding bikes. We went for a hike along one of the trails and had fun hanging out around the fire. Thanks for joining us Nick and Sandra!

A Little of This, A Little of That.....

Doing this post has made me a little sad. I feel like we have had an extremely busy past couple of months, and I have hardly any pictures to show for it! I really need to get better about taking pictures. A new goal for me. Let's see if I stick to it.

Here are just a few pictures from the last couple of months.....


This one was too cute not to share....Maddox fell asleep in the car one day. While carrying him in the house, he woke up. I put him down, and he walked through the kitchen, and this is where I found him! What a good boy....he didn't even get his shoes on the carpet!!!
We went to watch the Super Bowl at Nick and Sandra's house this year. So much fun! Sadly, I didn't take any pictures while there, so here is a lovely photo of the fruit tray I brought:-)

Purdue game. Nick and Sandra had tickets, but they ended up sick and asked if we would want them. Thanks so much guys....we had a lot of fun!

Every year in February our potluck group goes to a hotel. This year, we went to a waterpark hotel in Michigan. It was a lot of fun, and the kids had a blast! Linsey was able to go with us, which was great!

Waiting for the bucket to dump!

Some of the kids....

Here we are enjoying lunch at the bakery with our Bible Study group. Our group consisted of Amber Leman, Tanya Westfall, Bridget DeMoss, Wendy Putt, and myself. We met during the days, and our kids had time to play while we were doing our study.