The Great Darke County Fair

We took a break from school work today to head to the Darke County Fair with my family (which was very educational, by the way!). The weather was the best it's ever been, extremely comfortable and sunny. We saw lots of animals, rode lots of rides, and ate more than our share of fair food. It was a wonderful time!

Enjoying a Texas tenderloin from Bowman's

Emmaline and Daddy on the merry-go-round

Aunt Katie and Ellie on the Sizzler
(Quote from childhood: "The ride is starting and my hair is falling out!" Only Katie and Emily will get this!)

Emmaline loved riding the rides with big sister and brother.
She would smile and wave every time she passed us.

Enjoying cotton candy, Fiske fries, Betty's elephant ears and funnel cakes, and lemon shake-ups before heading home

Camping at Uncle David's

Nathan's brother and his fiancee live out on a farm about 30 minutes from us. It has 70+ acres and a pond, so Nathan and Jacob went there to camp. They fished, saw all the farm animals, cooked over the camp fire, and enjoyed being closer to nature.

Stirring up the fire

He is definitely his father's son

Look what Jacob caught!

In the Pool

We are glad the weather has turned more summer-like so that the kids could play in the pool in the backyard. Emmaline is really enjoying it and it is helping her work on her balance. Jacob and Ellie like practicing the things they learned in their swim classes.

Posing for a pic.

Floating

Birthday Presents

Ellie got birthday presents today in the mail from Auntie Angel and her family that live in California. Even though her birthday is still 2 weeks away, we let her open them (less for me to store!). She absolutely loved the My Little Pony Stuff that she got.

Playing with her r/c pony scooter

Feeding Baby Cheerilee

Carriage Hill Farm

We met our friends from home group at Carriage Hill Farm today. The kids played and then we enjoyed a picnic lunch on one of the patios. The weather was absolutely perfect today and I'm glad we were able to be outside to enjoy it.

Jacob and Owen made a church out of blocks in the schoolroom.
Note the attached pig pen...silly boys!

Emmaline and Madilyn watching sheep

Ellie liked this old sewing machine.
She said it was used to spin cloth.

Church Camp Comes Full Circle

Nathan and Jacob just got back from a couple of days at church camp. It was strange signing Jacob up to go this summer because this is the same church camp that I went to when I was younger. He and Daddy had a great time together and are looking forward to going back next summer!

On the way to camp, they found The Serpent Mound. We had read about this in one of his history books in first grade, so he was excited to see it in person.

In his cabin with some friends

On the big slide

Getting his hair painted

Pizza Time!

After the zoo, we got pizza from Dewey's and then went back to Katie's to eat it. The pizza was yummy, as always, and the girls had fun playing with all of Aunt Katie's things.

Aunt Katie and Ellie

Sisters

Emmaline thought it was funny to hide in Aunt Katie's closet

Peek-a-boo!

Cincinnati Zoo

Since the boys were at camp, I took the girls to the zoo with my sister, Katie. It was hot, but we had a good time looking at the animals, taking train rides, and riding the carousel.

Stylin' in Aunt Katies shades

Ellie riding on Okapi

Mommy and Ellie on the train

Emmaline and Aunt Katie
If you tell Emmy to smile, this is the look you get!

Surprise at Bob Evan's

To celebrate the end of swim lessons and enjoy a last family meal together before Nathan and Jacob head to church camp, we went to Bob Evan's for breakfast after Jacob's last class. The kids were excited to see that Heater from the Dayton Dragon's was there, as well as a couple of the players.

Emmaline was very intrigued by Heater
and would reach out and touch him every time he walked by.

Ellie drew a picture of Heater

So did Jacob

Jacob got an autographed poster from these two players
(can't remember their names, but they were both Hispanic-sounding)

The End of Swim Classes

Today was the last day of swim class for Jacob. Ellie's last lesson was last night (and it poured at the end of her lesson, but she got to stay in the pool since there was no lightning). They learned a lot this month and are already asking when they can take lessons again. We're thinking maybe this winter when they can't be outside as much.Swimming to the deep end

Playing at the water park

Ellie and Mr. Scott

This is fun!

The Splash Park (again!)

We met some friend from our home group at the splash park in Centerville today. The weather was great and it wasn't crowded at all.

Ellie
(the angle of this pic. makes her legs look SOOO long!)

Natalie is all smiles in the swing

Jacob and his friend
As frustrated as I get with him sometimes, Jacob makes me so proud of his sensitive heart towards kids that have special needs. This boy walked with crutches. He and Jake played in the water and on the playground. Here they are rolling down the hill by the park. They would roll to the bottom, then Jacob would run back to the top, get the boy's crutches, and bring them to him. Then, they would both climb back to the top and do it again. So caring!

Brenna, Ellie, and Kaiya

Emmaline, my little bathing beauty

Happy Birthday, Ginger!

We celebrated Nathan's Mom's birthday today at Young's Dairy. It rained like crazy earlier in the day, so the barrels and other outdoor things were not open, but we had a fun time anyway. Dinner was yummy and the ice cream was even better. Young's is branching out and even has it's own line of cheese now, but we didn't try any today...maybe next time.

Jacob loves cotton candy ice cream

Ellie does too!

Emmy tasted everyone's ice cream,
but she was mostly content to play with Daddy's phone.

Being cheesy!

Muscle Man