July 2012

Here are some of our happenings from this past summer.  July was full of fun!

  

We all (including mommy) dressed like a cow for Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A.  The kids were good sports about it and we all enjoyed our free lunch!

On Independence Day we enjoyed a fun morning at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens with friends, followed by a festival at the Meadow Farm Museum and then fireworks with the Waagners later that evening.  It was definitely a fun-filled day!

We were able to visit the butterfly exhibit at Lewis Ginter.  Amazing! 

Weekends at the pool--it's always more fun when Daddy can join us!

In July we traveled to Pennsylvania for a family vacation.  We had a wonderful time staying at a bed and breakfast on a working dairy farm in the Lancaster area.  The kids had so much fun experiencing farm life.  While there, we were also able to visit some other local attractions.  This was definitely one of our most enjoyable family trips ever!

Claire on the tire swing at the farm.  

The guys kayaking on the creek that runs through the farm.

My country boy.  

We were able to visit the milking room and even milk a cow ourselves!  

Every morning we ate breakfast family-style in this room in the farm house.  

The kids enjoyed riding on the barrel train every morning after breakfast.

We all took the long hayride through the countryside each morning.  Beautiful!

Grant holding one of the many kittens on the farm.  The farmhouse is in the background.

Every morning the kids were able to ride on the miniature horse, Cookie.  

Claire LOVED the "pony."

A highlight of our time in Pennsylvania was a trip to Strasburg Railroad.  We all enjoyed looking at the steam engines, picnicking, watching pennies get flattened on the track, riding through the Amish farms, and just being together.

Another excursion was made to Hershey, PA.  We made a quick stop at Chocolate World and then visited Hershey Park (an amusement park).  

We are so grateful to have been able to enjoy some special family time and make some fun memories together. 

Carter learned to ride a bike!  He had been close for a while, but in July he officially became training wheel free.  Watchout!