Things I Love Thursday!

The thing I love this week is vacation time together as a family!!

Well we just returned from a 5-day camping trip.......We had such a fantastic time!!! I mean to tell you the weather was just so enjoyable I couldn't even believe it!!!! Sunny and beautiful every single day!! Well our camping this time was at the Northeast Indiana Bluegrass Festival....every spring and fall we go there for a time full of bluegrass music! The Festival didn't actually start until Thursday but we headed up on Tuesday to start camping...it's only $10 to camp before the festival (that's with electric hook up and all)....then for the weekend your camping is free with purchase of a weekend ticket (which is $23 for members and $25 for non-members.....kids 16 years and under a FREE!!!!) So here is the run down of how we spent our week of time of with Daddy!

After picking our camping spot, Justin made a comment that they could have mowed before the festival started....the grass was pretty long.....so here is Zach lending hand with his stick "using it as a weed-wacker...
Here is Caleb doing his part to help out as well....

Here is Julia making herself comfy in the bottom of her stroller. The only problem was...she couldn't get out!

Here is Caleb showcasing how handsome he is with his cowboy hat.

Here is Julia bumming a ride from Daddy.....and giving Mommy's arms a break!

Here is Lance hanging out while Caleb shows off his Spiderman like skills!

Monkey see...Monkey DO...Zach has to do everything the big boys do!
Julia being "girly" and playing with her Baby...they haven't made a total Tom Boy out of her yet.

Justin and I did get to rest together at least for a little while...Here we were watching some shows up at the stage area.

These monkeys kept Julia occupied for a good half hour or so...
After watching several different bands it was time to go collect the freebies the boy got at the "Kids Corner" earlier that morning.

For those of you that have not the honor of attending a Bluegrass Festival, which is all of you probably, this is a shot of a band with all your typical bluegrass instruments...Left: Fiddle, Guitar, Mandolin, Dobro, Bass (in the back), Banjo....sometimes band wills throw in a harmonica, or juice harp on occasion.During our time at the stage we did some reading...They also did some drawing with crayons...then they decided they would build stuff with the crayons...Here is their train track...complete with a train and all!
Dad and Julia headed back to the camper for a little nap and then when she woke up she was all smiles....

Julia was so happy to have some girls to play with for a while! THANKS for visiting Brooke and Addison!

Julia and Zach we running off some energy as they circled the chair...

Stopping just long enough to say "cheeseburger mommy"..she prefers that to just the regular "cheese"

Caleb being Caleb!!!!

We tried to have some quiet time at the camper each day while Julia napped....reading was on tap during this quiet time...

Here is the GANG posing after we took a bike ride....Nice hair Julia....Her helmet really did a number on it!

Here is my hubby eating...This had to make the cut of pics, because we always feel like all we do it eat while we camp!

Justin and Zach are getting geared up to take a bike while....and maybe hit a few Garage Sales in the process!!

Lance and Caleb are giving the "Go sign" and ready to roll on their bikes as well.

Caleb was begging to take a pic of me before we left on the ride...so here it is..good job Cubbie!

Julia gets to ride with Mommy, "Let's go Mom!"

We found lots of sales to check out!!! Lance found something he wanted so he's pumping Dad for money....We found this little table and chairs perfect to have with us while camping at a sale for $2.00....yep we hauled it back on the bike....yep we probably looked like major hillbilly's.....no we didn't see anyone laugh and point.....so that is good!

The boys (Dad included) had a water fight one day...Here is Zach using the sneak attack on Caleb!

Caleb aiming for Lance~
Let's just say Julia wasn't left out!! I just love that "little" belly....

Caleb is jamming with his guitar...the shades make the look complete...

After all the playing, jamming, and water gunning it was time to chill out with a book before bedtime! Zach winding down with his book as well...

One day quiet time was spent with everyone playing on their laptop computers...Mom included! Caleb just got his for his last birthday...he loves it!

Julia being a big girl on her computer....

Poor Zach, he doesn't have a computer so he enjoyed playing with some Garage Sale finds....

Another quiet time activity while Julia and Daddy napped again was Croquet....I Won!!!

Caleb got second!!! Lance got 3rd!!! Zach gave up after about four turns or so...but he had fun slapping the ball around...We had a fun time and it was a really nice say to play outside!

Well it looks daylight in this shot, but this was Julia's first night in a "big girl" bed....She did well!

Since I highlighted Lance on Tuesday for his birthday I don't have to many shots of him today, but here is one of him smiling!

Of course wanted his pic taken too!! Again Monkey see Monkey DO!!

Oh ya, Julia smiling for me as well!! Isn't she just the cutest???? YEP!!!
Julia felt the need to eat her chicken noodle soup while sitting on Daddy's lap one day....

And FINALLY this showcase of pics wouldn't be complete without a pic of Dad jamming a bit with his new guitar....We LOVE YOU DAD!!!