Family Vacation

"Families are Forever"

I can't believe we're halfway through July already.
Brandon and Ethan had a wonderful time at camp. Brandon was home for one full day before leaving for our Church's Youth Ministry Mission Trip. He went to Michigan and helped clean up a Community Center and Garden. I was told that Brandon was awesome! He was caring and a very hard worker. I am very proud of him.
Our family went on vacation last week. It was great! We go to Wisconsin with my side of the family every year. This was Jacob's first time, so the one difference this year - we couldn't all fit into one vehicle. Ethan rode with my sister's family.
I love spending time with my siblings and parents and watching my nieces and nephews grow up :o) Most of them are taller than me now.
Our kids love hanging out with their cousins. We had a great week with great weather. The first day was the 4th of July. We watched an amazing fireworks show over the lake. The rest of the week was spent swimming, boating (along with "tubing" - Fun! - even Leah and Sarah did it), golfing (Tom took Brandon this year - he really liked it), making s'mores, playing tennis, walking, picture taking, bedazzling (I think Rachel would bedazzle everything if I'd let her), shopping, playing cards & dominoes...Very full fun days.
One highlight was the Family Tennis Challenge. One loss and you were out. Noah is 8 years old and has never played tennis. He really wanted to play, so we let him "sign up" last minute. Well, who knew? Noah won against 2 of his aunts and 1 of his uncles. Ha! It was fabulous! He made it to the final 3 before being taken out by his cousin.
Noah was an early riser on vacation. He would walk over to the "main" kitchen to see who was there for breakfast. One morning he went on a nature walk with a few of the adults. They ended up going canoeing. My sister said that Noah saw a spider on the water. He said "Look at that spider! He is walking on water! He is walking on water...just like God." Noah has a great mind :o)
The end of our vacation always ends the same way. At the Candy Shop. Leah and Sarah's faces were priceless. We handed each child their own basket and told them they could each get some candy. This place has everything!
Now we are home and still trying to get things put away. Noah is in "summer school"- a little extra help in reading and writing. The rest are trying to get back into the habit of doing their chores again.