Back to NY

We had all 17 Hubbards/Carlins/Andersons together last week- lots of fun between the 9 cousins and the adults!

Blueberry Pickin' Fun

We got almost all of the grandkids in... where's Jack?!

Wagon rides are always a favorite past time when we visit.

Backyard tent

Great Nana's mittens!!

Stayin' Cool in July

We had a FUN July!  Here are some highlights:

Snowball fight!!! Yes, I saved snowballs from last winter and pulled them out on one of our rare, hot days this summer!

Elaina is really enjoying tennis this summer!

Audrey made so much progress in swim lessons this year.  She loves to go under the water and get dive sticks at the bottom of the steps.

The older 2 kids both had so much fun on this crazy bouncing apparatus at our Community Days this year!

So much fresh air and energy expended- gotta love those summertime afternoon naps!

Kalahari

We had a great getaway to Kalahari Water Park in Ohio.  The kids did some crazy fast water slides and had fun being at a great place to stay!

I am reading "Trumpet of the Swan" to Owen and Elaina this summer, so they were especially interested in seeing these Swans that lived at the hotel.

Elaina was especially happy that the logo for Kalahari is an elephant- there were elephants everywhere!

No vacation is complete without a stop at the ice cream shoppe!

4th of July Fun

We had a fun time celebrating the 4th of July!

Parade watching on a hot day

Coolest parade car/truck/toy

Another Dancer in the family!

Audrey did a dance camp this year and loved it!  It was Cinderella Camp, complete with princess crafts, stories, viewing excerpts from the Cinderella Ballet, and lots of dancing, of course!  I especially loved that the emphasis for the week was on what makes a true princess... Cinderella showed kindness and joy, even in difficult circumstances.  All the girls were reassured that they are God's princesses!

Seneca Hills

Three of us enjoyed another 2 nights at Seneca Hills Bible Camp again this year.  I did Camp With Me with Elaina and Owen camped on his own for the first time which is why there aren't really pictures of him this time.  Despite the rain (and lots of it!) we had a fantastic time playing games, doing crafts, adventuring, worshiping and learning about God.

We had tons of rain- boo!  Elaina loved wearing her red poncho everywhere and even decided that she would like to be Little Red Riding Hood for Halloween... I love the way her practical little mind works!  :-)

1st time on the zipline- I think I was more nervous than her!

"The Caterpillar" was Elaina's new challenge this year since she made it to the top of the climbing wall last year.  This is several railroad ties hanging from the ceiling that literally wiggle as you climb up.  I have no idea how she did it, other than she is one solid muscle of a girl!

She made it to the top and was cheered on when she rang the bell!

It was a fantastic time and we can't wait to go back!!

On to 1st grade

Erik and I took Elaina out to celebrate her great 1st year of school in Kindergarten.  There isn't anything she likes better than stuffed animals, so a special trip to Build-a-Bear and dinner out at the "fancy" (as she called it) Cheesecake Factory was the perfect date night for her.  She is off to a great start and we are so proud of her!

She chose an adorable panda bear to make.

Getting him all cleaned, dried and fluffed up...

Not surprisingly named "Pandy," Elaina has not let her out of her sight since we brought her home.  Hopefully it will be a  reminder of a fun night out with Dad and Mom, too!