Lots of summer fun!

We've been having such an awesome summer. Carter's name got pulled at the local orchard for free ice cream (and the next day, Addison's was pulled! Hilarious!) We spend a lot of time at Hersheypark and the Mechanicsburg pool. We also did something fun (and new) for the kids...we went to Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster to see Jesus. It was SO good and the kids loved seeing all the animals in the play! 

For the fourth of July, we went to Gramma and Pa's to swim and then went to the hang glider overlook with cousins. So pretty! 

Of course, lots of Dave & Buster's (their very favorite!) and the backyard pool and slip n' slide, too. Summer of 2019 has been really fun so far and we still have a bunch of time left for more fun, like Roxbury!

Summer catch up

So, it was a busy summer (hence the barely blogging). Here is a quick catch-up summary! :) 

Addison got a big girl room--new bed, new bedding, still waking up a lot during the night. ;) 

Lots of Hersheypark! 

Field trips for Miss A at preschool

Pedicures with mommy! 

Saturdays at Monkey Joes

Sweaty (no seriously, holy HOT summer) hang outs with friends! 

Alaska (and the rest of us to camp!)

On Saturday, August 1, Seth left for a missions trip to Alaska with our church. They went to work at a kid's outdoor camp there (in a remote part of Alaska)--a lot of manual labor. The kids were saying goodbye to daddy (without the full realization of how long he'd be gone). 

The team...

While Seth was gone, the kids and I headed to Roxbury to stay at the cabin with my grandparents, Michelle and the kids and my cousin and his family. This worked out super well because I love going there and it fell over the time Seth was gone so we didn't have to be home alone for 8 days. 

The kids were VERY busy for the 5 days we were there--barrel train rides, tons of bike riding, kids church, the playground, giant sand box, exploring, "fox" and "raccoon" hunting, camp fires, kids carnivals and so much more. They were TIRED.

That sure is a lot of kids at the cabin kitchen table at lunchtime! 

Peanut relaxing on the porch...

After a trip to the gift shop for some balls, flashlights, sweatshirts and other fun things.

Addison and Kenna taking a Frozen movie break!

It worked out so well. Addison LOVED the little kids' church (i.e. a glorified nursery) which allowed Carter to come with me to hear the speakers at night. We sat outside each night (just me and him; the others sat inside) and it was so great. He worked quietly on his workbooks and I actually got to listen this year! HA! 

We brought the toddler bed mattress which perfectly fit in the little space at the end of the bed. They took turns sleeping in it each night (and the other one got to sleep up in bed with mommy). 

The cabin kitchen

Quite the bike line-up :) 

We had a great, chaotic time and we were TIRED when we got home (and still had many nights before daddy got home). It was the first time in several years I was able to go to camp for more than just an overnight or a weekend, so I really enjoyed being able to go. And, it actually worked out REALLY well because cell signal is rough at camp and Seth had absolutely none where he was in Alaska so it made not talking easier (though we had no choice anyway). 

Oma and Opa's 60th birthdays!

This summer is Oma and Opa's 60th birthdays and a couple weekends ago, we all got together to celebrate at our house. The plan was to hang out Friday night and spend all day Saturday at Hersheypark. Turns out, the weather had different plans. I wish I was kidding when I say it rained--no poured--ALL DAY on Saturday. We were so bummed! 

Thankfully we had gorgeous weather Friday night and got to have a picnic and enjoy cupcakes to celebrate Oma and Opa! 

As we chatted about what to do on Saturday, we decided to go to Chocolate World and check out the free ride and the make-your-own candy bar creation. It was SO cute! The kids (and us grown ups!) had a blast. 

 The "dads" didn't participate, but we got a good laugh when we looked up from inside the candy bar making "factory" and saw them standing outside in the pouring rain watching us! 

That's one precious little baker! :) 

After we made candy bars, we checked out the chocolate making tour and enjoyed a yummy lunch back at home. Thanks, Oma and Opa, for spoiling US on your birthday celebration weekend! 

Later in the afternoon, we went bowling. Little boys in one lane, little girls in another and grown up guys in a third. The ladies sat this one out. 

The weekend turned out to be fun despite the bad weather and it was fun to have everyone here. We're going to attempt a "take 2" later in August--and pray the weather holds up!! 

Our summer in pictures

The summer has been fun but hectic, that's for sure. It's probably easier if I summarize our summer so far using pictures! 

Our summer is...

...family walks and bike rides

...doggy allergies :( 

...blueberry picking

...Hersheypark 

...lunch on the river with my love while the kids are on field trips

...even MORE Hersheypark

...powerwashing (WOW, huh?!)

...ice cream on the deck 

...fun with cousins

...quick trips to NJ to see Gram and Pop who were up from FL

...relaxing by the pool

Still to come: heading to the cabin, Alaska, more Hersheypark, and more!