Just got back from this summer's Family Camp -- super fun, but super exhausting! We stopped at (Great) Grandma and Grandpa Varner's on the way down since they are a whoppin' 1 mile from the route we take! It was a great mid-way stopping point
Looks like Tyler is on a mission with Great Grandpa to find something . . .
Yep, there it is . . . a turtle! Grandma had spotted it earlier in the day and we
were to find it!
The poor thing is still probably recovering from our visit!
Tyler spotted the "brrmmm brrmmm" as soon as we drove up the driveway. So, after lunch, we took a little field trip out to the barn!
They all fit in the cab! (for about 30 seconds:)
Kayla and Great Grandpa
Walking back to the house with Great Grandma
Three hours later, we arrived at Family Camp -- with a temperature of above 100 degrees. Wow. Thankfully, all of the buildings/cabins are air-conditioned!
An impromptu game while waiting for one of the chapels to start . . .always fun to see the kids interacting with others!
Tyler was just glad to be along for the ride! Never mind the "organized" games -- just give the boy a scooter and he's happy!
Or a pool noodle . . .either will work!
Since it was so bloomin' warm, we spent LOTS of time in the water -- in the pool, at the water front, canoeing, etc. Some of the waterfront activities are pretty daunting . . . like the above slide -- I think it is called the "Silver Bullet" -- and for good reason. Many tears were shed by Miss Kayla over going down this slide. And -- to her defense, it was pretty freaky up there . . . I can testify:) But she did it . . . only once, though!
Kayla likes the lake water about as much as her mama does!!!!
And this slide -- Wet Willie -- was a big deal for Joshua to go down. He finally did make it down on Day Two -- and after the first time, it was no big deal!
Yep -- that's me . . . it's pretty fun!
Our two boys -- trying to stay hydrated!
We spent a lot of time at the Challenge Course this year. Last year, we (Bryan, myself, J & K) did the zip line, but this year we tried a few new things!
Getting ready to be hoisted up for the big swing . . .
Hanging on for dear life . . .
well . . . I guess he's feeling more comfortable with the whole situation!
Kayla did the same swing -- lots of fun!
Here's Kayla climbing up the pole for the zip line. She was a trooper -- she climbed the whole way by herself this year -- no hoisting from below!
See Joshua above, cheering her on!
Kayla (in pink), Joshua (in turquoise) and Bryan (in orange) -- about to be zipped!
(Yours truly was entertaining Tyler . . . someone had to do it!)
Just checking it all out -- with his "dee-dee"
(we're still figuring out how "blankie" is now "dee-dee."
Bryan took Joshua out canoeing this year -- and Tyer was NOT to be left out of the action!
They even stayed dry!
I think the time we had as a family this summer was even more precious to us because we knew that Great Grandma Smiley was in her last days on this earth. She went home to be with Jesus the day after we got back from camp . . . Thank You Lord for the relationships you have given us on earth that are only a glimpse of the relationship
that You long to have with us!
1st grade
All grown up!
Joshua and one of the neighborhood buddies!
The bus stop crew
So funny . . . last year, the three of them (Kayla, Carter (next door neighbor), and Tyler) would ALWAYS sit on the curb and wait for the bus . . . and sure enough, they went right back to their spot!
There goes the bus!
Just got back from this summer's Family Camp -- super fun, but super exhausting! We stopped at (Great) Grandma and Grandpa Varner's on the way down since they are a whoppin' 1 mile from the route we take! It was a great mid-way stopping point
Looks like Tyler is on a mission with Great Grandpa to find something . . .
Yep, there it is . . . a turtle! Grandma had spotted it earlier in the day and we
The poor thing is still probably recovering from our visit!
Tyler spotted the "brrmmm brrmmm" as soon as we drove up the driveway. So, after lunch, we took a little field trip out to the barn!
They all fit in the cab! (for about 30 seconds:)
Kayla and Great Grandpa
Walking back to the house with Great Grandma
Three hours later, we arrived at Family Camp -- with a temperature of above 100 degrees. Wow. Thankfully, all of the buildings/cabins are air-conditioned!
An impromptu game while waiting for one of the chapels to start . . .always fun to see the kids interacting with others!
Tyler was just glad to be along for the ride! Never mind the "organized" games -- just give the boy a scooter and he's happy!
Or a pool noodle . . .either will work!
Since it was so bloomin' warm, we spent LOTS of time in the water -- in the pool, at the water front, canoeing, etc. Some of the waterfront activities are pretty daunting . . . like the above slide -- I think it is called the "Silver Bullet" -- and for good reason. Many tears were shed by Miss Kayla over going down this slide. And -- to her defense, it was pretty freaky up there . . . I can testify:) But she did it . . . only once, though!
Kayla likes the lake water about as much as her mama does!!!!
And this slide -- Wet Willie -- was a big deal for Joshua to go down. He finally did make it down on Day Two -- and after the first time, it was no big deal!
Yep -- that's me . . . it's pretty fun!
Our two boys -- trying to stay hydrated!
We spent a lot of time at the Challenge Course this year. Last year, we (Bryan, myself, J & K) did the zip line, but this year we tried a few new things!
Getting ready to be hoisted up for the big swing . . .
Hanging on for dear life . . .
Kayla did the same swing -- lots of fun!
Here's Kayla climbing up the pole for the zip line. She was a trooper -- she climbed the whole way by herself this year -- no hoisting from below!
Kayla (in pink), Joshua (in turquoise) and Bryan (in orange) -- about to be zipped!
Just checking it all out -- with his "dee-dee"
Bryan took Joshua out canoeing this year -- and Tyer was NOT to be left out of the action!
They even stayed dry!
We had a great week in Wisconsin with family last week! (The cooler temps certainly helped our visit too!) Always fun to see Grandma and Grandpa, and we also got to see Bryan's brother's family -- so much fun!
We spent a lot of time walking to/from the parks. I have no earthly idea what Kayla is doing here . . .
. . . or here for that matter!
Looking way too grown up . . .
Joshua and Grandma walking through the skate park.
Love this . . . can't believe he's in 1st grade in a week!
Joshua and Kayla were SUPER pumped to go fishing with grandpa. They were able to fish right off the pier instead of renting a boat . . .much easier that way!
Getting all set up . . . (I believe that grandpa never even put his pole in the water . . . the kids were catching so many fish he didn't have time to!)
Yeah!
And then Tyler came on the scene to check it out . . .
Love his expressions :)
This pic just cracks me up!
We spent some time on the "beach" building sand castles while Joshua and Grandpa were finishing up! She was the official "water go-getter!"
Doing an activity book with Grandma Nelson . . .
Joshua showing one of the twins how to work Daddy's iPhone . . .
And then the boys (aka as Mark and Bryan) thought they would combine their crazy ping-pong skills with some mad photo-journalism and wow us all . . .
Amazing, isn't it?
Joshua turned into quite the ping pong gu-ru while we were there. It's actually really engaging to play with him!
Some good 'ole rough-housing fun!
We had decided ahead of time to stop in St. Louis on our way home so we could see my Grandma and Grandpa Smiley. The kids were pumped to swim in the pool.
You go girl!
Wham!
Bryan and Tyler just chillin while the older two were in the pool.
Oh yes -- popcorn in bed!
So -- this is ALL tyler's doing . . . not sure why he likes to smother himself with blankets.
So . . .Our timing with stopping in St. Louis ended up being an absolute God-thing. Grandma had just gone into the hospital because of a fall, and I was able to visit her for a few minutes. Grandma will only be with us on this earth a bit longer, and I am so thankful that God set up the timing of our visit like He did. We then stopped and visited with Great Grandpa before he insisted on treating us to the good 'ole Golden Arches! 
Last McDonalds stop before we got home. There are 93 years between Tyler and Great Grandpa -- and they both enjoy McDonalds. Amazing! Wonderful trip - so thankful for our time with both families.
