Grange Fair

I know it's been while since I posted... our days and nights have been pretty busy lately. A couple weeks back we went to the Grange Fair. Actually, Brian and Natalie went with his family over the weekend but both boys weren't feeling well so I stayed home with them and we all went as a family later that week. Very fun. They have tons of booths with "fair food"

Lots of animals too see.

Cows getting washed.

The main reason we went was to watch the Tractor Pull-- different tractors would hook up to a 32,000 pound sled and see who could pull it the length of the track in the fastest time. Quite interesting... we're defnitely in PA! :)

The front end of the tractor would tip up like in the movie "Cars" and they were so loud. The kids loved it. :)

Natalie had already gone on a bunch of rides with Grandma and Bethany so we didn't really do any this time. The fair is huge though... you could spend days there!

I love fun times a family! :)

End of Summer Days

Brian is back to classes and lots of different things are starting back up again. It's now September and there is a definite chill in the air these days. I think summer is on it's way out around here. We've had a lot of fun this summer but I am kind of ready to get back into some routines. And wearing sweaters, sipping hot chocolate and the start of football season all sound pretty good--our time in Hawaii definitely made us appreciate the seasons! Here's a look at some of what we've been up to these last days of summer. Daddy's famous double decker slide.Making homemade pita bread. My kids LOVE it and I saw a recipe online and they are great. We've been stuffing them for sandwiches and making pizzas on top. Yummy. It's fun to watch because they puff up while cooking (that's what makes the pocket inside.)

Our three cute kiddos

Evan is scooching all over the place these days!

And eating up a storm too. :)

MOPS playdate at the park...lots of kiddos!

That's Evan on the blanket... and the kids in the creek.

We had a dance party one night before bed. We flipped through the music channels on our TV and we all had fun dancing around. I love fun family memories.

Evan loves the bumbo... he can sit up for a little bit on his own... growing up every day!

We had a MOPS leader retreat a couple weekends ago. This is our coordinator Leigh Anne who is becoming a great friend. I highly recommend checking to see if you have a MOPS group near you--it's such a great thing for Moms!

Writing everyone's names with magnets.

Playing outside

Couch fort with Alayna and Kierstyn

Lots of new neighbors have moved in... and lots of kids too!

Hope you're enjoying your last days of summer! :)

Petersen Reunion

We went to the Yoder's house for a reunion with some of Brian's relatives. Uncle Pete and Aunt Liz and Grandma D were there. Their two boys, PJ and Matt and wives Kristen and Kim and their kids, Brian's brother Chris and Michelle and their kids, us, Bethany and Brian's parents. 24 people! People camped out around the house in tents, we ate tons of food, sat around the bonfire each night, watched slides from when everyone was younger, went tubing, and just had a great time together!
Arrival: the kids loved playing on the tire swing after the long car trips Setting up camp.

(We slept inside because we have the youngest kids, and also a baby... and Brian had just camped out for a whole month and had had enough! :)

Ham roasting over the fire.

Linda going through the slides to find ones with the Petresens.

Tractor Ride with Poppa

Uncle Pete jumped in too!

Look at all that food!!

Dinner time. We spent every evening around the fire... eating dinner, reminiscing, making smores, and just staying up really late talking... especially about PROMO FEET! :)

Another birthday celebration for Brian.

Some presents for Daddy. Kristen makin' bacon.

Natalie said, "Daddy's a good pancaker" (pancake maker, I guess? :)

Allie and Evan

We went to the local pool one afternoon.

Snack time.

Cousins Doing pushups... can you tell they have military dads? :)

Playing Cornhole--A fun beanbag toss game. Brian is actually making a couple sets with Penn State colors... I'll post pictures once they're completed.

Look carefully and you can see TWO on the swing!

Love this one of Adam

Evan loves to scoot to the edge of the blanket to play with the dirt, sand or grass or whatever he can find. He's trying to crawl already but I'm not encouraging it... I like that at least one kid is still not mobile! We had grilled chicken, potatoes and corn one night.

Tubing Day! Hooking up the trailer to our jeep.

We were all tied together as we floated down the water.

Trying to get everybody in a line.

Couldn't take the camera in the water so we didn't get too many pictures but here we are ready to get back out.

Time for a snack while we pack up.

The kids loved playing inside the tubes.

Last breakfast. Look at all that bacon!

The kids spilled dried pasta all over the dining room!

Time for goodbyes!

It was pouring rain as everyone was trying to pack up... thankfully God waited until the last day before letting it rain come! We had great weather!

Kim holding the umbrella for Matt

All the girls playing ring-around-the-rosie. Poppa and Adam

It was great to get to know some of Brian's relatives better (he has so many more than I do!). Hopefully we'll get to see you all again soon. Family is wonderful! :)