Jessie's Photo Shoot

While Jessie was in town, she had a little photo shoot with the kids. She is so talented!

Mom and Jessie's Visit

While Mom and jessie visited, we had lots of adventures. We wandered around Notre Dame and spent a little time at the beach at Lake Michigan. Here are some of the highlights.

Tea Party

While Mom and Jessie were here, Linda set up a lovely tea (hot chocolate) party in Shipshewana. We had such a great time!

Betsy had a little too much to drink.

Fruit Picking

One thing we love about living here is that we are in the "Fruit Belt." Jessie and Mom came for a visit and we went cherry picking and peach picking. These cherries became the most delicious pie I have ever made (with Mom and Jessie's help!).

New Camera Lens

1st Garden

This year I decided to try my hand at gardening. It turns out I stink. My thumb is brown. I did get some snow and sugar snap peas, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and herbs. Not a single carrot made it to adulthood, the squash plant flowered but never grew a squash, my other tomatoes were wiped out by blight.

The tiny onions.

The potatoes oddly lumpy and small.

The tri-color beans were beautiful, but were decimated by beetles after the first picking. So sad.

We got a few things here and there, and over all, it was pretty fun. I hope the kids had a better appreciation for where the veggies come from. I guess we'll try again next year.

County 4-H Fair

This year we went to the County 4-H Fair. It is one of the largest county fairs in the country. I'm still not quite sure what 4-H is exactly, but it must have something to do with animals, greasy food, over priced games, and sweating. All in all, we had a pretty good time, but considering that the kids favorite part of the fair was the tractor ride from the van to the gate, next time we might just save our money and trolley around the parking lot.

When it was over, this is eactly what we felt like: sweaty pigs!

Mackinac Moments

Mom and Dad came for a lovely summer visit. We traveled up the coast of Lake Michigan and stayed in Charlevoix, then spent a day on Mackinac Island. We also spent some time in Shipshewana. Sorry the pictures are mixed up.

Davis Mercantile

We had an always thrilling buggy ride.

Poor Leo, traveling always wipes him out!

A view of Lake Michigan from the island.

Dad lounging on a setee in the Grand Hotel where the movie "Somewhere in Time" was filmed.

The Grand Hotel.

The ferry ride to the island was definitely the kids favorite thing about our trip.

Downtown Charlevoix.

We also took a little canoe ride on the river across the street from our house. It was so fun!

Thanks for a great week Mom and Dad!

Summer Adventures 2

More highlights from our summer:

Eating popsicles.

Playing catch (almost).
Teething.