Summer recap: July

The kids went to camp by themselves for the first time this summer.  They have gone to Camp Mack's Grand Camp with Todd and Cathy since they were 5, but this year they also went to Sampler's Camp.  They were gone for 2 nights and had a blast!

Landon with his new friend Bryce.

Emmy with her new friend Jenna.

While the kiddos were gone, Matt and I celebrated our anniversary (year 17).  We went shopping for some new furniture and out to eat at Corndance.

We made our trip to Potawatami Zoo even more fun this year with Erin, Alaina, and Nadia.  The kids had a great time checking out the animals, riding the train and carousel (well Caleb did not like that part!), and having a picnic lunch.

July was a busy month because the kids were in 4h this year for the first year.  They participated in Poultry Club and each showed 7 chickens at the Elkhart County 4h fair.  They absolutely loved the fair.  On Friday, they picked a favorite bird and participated in the Showmanship Contest.  The judge asked them questions about their bird and had them take the birds in and out of the cage.

Then Saturday was the big show where they had to show all 7 of their birds to the judge.  Landon ended up with 1 honor bird and Emmy had 4.  2 of the birds were on the final table for Grand Champion!  We were pretty excited for them for their first year!

We also had some time to do some other things at the fair.  The kids participated in the rooster crowing contest where Landon won 2nd place and the chicken fly off contest where he won 3rd place.  He won $15 total.

Circus performers

 We got free track seats to the Casting Crowns concert from one of Matt's student's parents.  This was Landon's first concert (Em went last year to see Danny Gokey).

 On Wednesday,  it was Kids day where each ride is $1 so the kids each took a friend and we spent the afternoon riding 11 rides each!  They had a ball!

Landon with Micah

Emmy with Claire

Landon with his chicken Lennon who got 3rd in the fly off.

 We also spent a day at Ox Bow park riding bikes and playing on equipment.  The kids loved pretending this was a Ninja Warrior course and wanted me to time them.