Louisville & Clifty Falls, IN

 As a last summer experience we spent Saturday last weekend checking out the Louisville Sluggers museum and factory ...

A very cool place, especially for some boys that I know who happen to love baseball. 
At one point Miss Lilly was complaining that 'Dad is taking too long to look at all the bats'.
I responded, 'Well, Miss Lilly, he loves baseball more than anything else in the world, so lets give him a few more minutes'
Miss Lilly then went to her dad and asked, 'Do you love baseball more than anything else in the world?!'
J.D. responded 'Almost - I love your mom more than anything else in the world.'
which then prompted Miss Lilly to gag, make a face and pretend to throw up ...
Thank heavens after 16 years, I rank a little higher than baseball!

 There are my three - in front of the largest bat in the world!

 J.D. and the kids showing off their mini-bats that everyone gets at the end of the tour.  There was a fire alarm that went off just as we were shopping in the gift shop --- Miss Lilly was very bummed that we had to leave before we could go back in!  I counted it a small blessing :)

 We drove north east through southern Indiana to Clifty Falls for lunch and a hike before heading home.  We had a little inch-worm friend join us for lunch ..

 Then we set off on the hike.  Clifty Falls is an ancient waterfall that used to plummet into the Ohio River, but over millions of years has worn back several miles to create these beautiful stepped falls.

 It really was a beautiful place.

 Master S even braved some steep stairs.

 There is a lodge there and a pool with camping.  Thinking we might need to head back sometime for a whole weekend.

 This is Cake Rock - the only thing holding it up is a tree on the back, left hand side that you can't see in the picture.

 Miss Lilly found a blue butterfly.

It was a wonderful little 24 hours getaway!  So nice to live in the middle of so many amazing things within driving distance!  Every time we go somewhere new I discover several more places that I want to check out before I leave the Midwest ... I may never leave!

First Day School

The first day of School was July 31st!  Yes it was way too early, which is why I haven't posted these pictures yet ... it hasn't felt like we should be back at school until now!

 Big D in 1st grade!

 Miss Lilly in 4th grade!

 Master S is a BIG 7th grader!

And of course, as tradition dictates - pencil cookies!

Hooiser National Forest Camping Experience

We went camping a few weeks ago with some great friends.  We got there Friday night - it was beautiful, stayed up late, listened to Miss Lilly giggle with her friends and sat around the camp fire until we were too tired to keep our eyes open.

Then we went to bed and got up to rain, rain and more rain!  It rained for 5 hours straight!  I stayed in the tent as long as I could, then we attempted breakfast - a little soggy and ended up packing everything up wet.  Yuck!   I think I'm good to not camp for awhile!

38 years

 

My parents are celebrating 38 years of blissful marriage today ...

 I only have a few pictures of them, as all the pictures that my mom gave me are in a scrapbook of me - go figure!  (Funny how when you go to find pics you suddenly realize how little you have of the people that made you who you are!)  The first one is on the day I was blessed - they had been married about a year.

 This one is of the extended family.  I think I was about 8?  Definitely in the 80's, look at all the matching dresses for the little girls!

This is one of my favorites -- this is how I remember my parents.  It's how I picture them when I talk to them on the phone.  I was so blessed to have parents who loved me, and loved each other.

 

 And this last one is the last picture of our family before we all started getting married ... well, maybe I got married.  I miss that family.  There are so many wonderful memories, mostly because two people decided that they loved each other, got married, had children and worked through all the crazy stuff, and still work through all the crazy stuff, and still love each other today.  Thank you Mom and Dad for being such good examples of what marriage is all about.  I love you!  Happy anniversary!

Beach and South Bend

 On the way back Saturday we drove across Michigan to spend an afternoon on the beach.  We ended up at Warren Dunes - with most of the rest of the population of Michigan!

 Even though it was packed, we still had a great time ...

 Water was a little chilly,

 but the kids got ALL THE WAY IN!

 Big D was buried in the sand,

 Miss Lilly and I made an octopus,

 Miss Lilly got really dirty!  Just when I think she is growing up, she reminds me that she is really only 9 still :)

 That night we got to spend it in South Bend just south of Notre Dame's campus.

 It was beautiful!  So peaceful (without any students in the summer) and lots of really cool architecture.

 We went to the basilica,

 and the main building,

 the ceilings were amazing,

 loved the arches and the blues ...

So glad we stayed close enough to experience Notre Dame.  We are not Catholic, but it was wonderful to be in a place that had religious roots and values and was so obviously dedicated to a Christian foundation.  It gave us a lot of opportunity to talk with the kids about reverence, religion and the blessings of the gospel.  Big D loved the 'touchdown Jesus' and would announce loud and proud every time he saw it 'look, its the touchdown Jesus!' 
We also lit a candle at the Grotto ...

 Big D decided to pose with the gorilla in downtown South Bend.

4th of July in Michigan

 We went to visit some very dear friends for the 4th.  J.D. only had the weekend, with an extra day Friday, so we couldn't go far, but we love to visit Mike and Renee in Michigan!

 We have been to the Ford Museum and Greenfield Village before, but for the 4th there is a special fireworks/symphony celebration and we went with about 8500 other people to enjoy the live Detroit orchestra and Army Band play a wonderful concert and then play with the fireworks.

 Mike and Renee.

 Me and J.D.

 Big D playing some of the kids 'old fashioned' games.

 Fife and Drum Corps

 Hoop and Stick

 Stilts

 We had ice cream, kettle corn and got to do lots of people watching.

 Miss Lilly loved the bicycles.

It was amazing to have the orchestra play with the fireworks and extra special to have the Army Band there.  The music was amazing and we made some wonderful memories.