A Family Vacation

We were away for a week, that's why it's been quiet around the blog.  My parents treated my siblings and me and our families to an amazing weekend in the mountains in a house that fit all of us ... with an indoor pool across the driveway, miles of hiking trails, a garage full of John Deere ride-on toys for the kids, a fire pit, a huge porch overlooking the mountains, all over a weekend with a full moon and perfect weather.  For some reason they thought taking us with them to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary was a great idea; it certainly was for us!

I will say that a huge open-plan house with great acoustics (read: no sound absorption)  and 7 kids 7 and under had this pregnant lady a little overwhelmed at times ... more times than I'd like to admit.  But wait, I just admitted it.  I guess the cat's outta the bag that I get cranky sometimes ... even when I'm not pregnant.  But I digress.  Despite the noise and excitement, it was a really relaxing time and I'd happily go back for another week.  Thanks, Mommy and Papa ~ HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Here's a little summary of the week in photos.

Tractors and trikes were ridden every day.

 Fishing, resting, picking corn, eating meals, roasting marshmallows,

and lots of cousin fun!

 There's a little village on the grounds that includes a chapel and banquet hall;

I think I've decided where E should get married!

The pool house: we spent time here every afternoon after nap time.

 

Hiking:

sadly we did not see any bears or their prints.

Living Treasures Animal Park

Gramma's new iPad was quite popular during down times.

Fort Ligonier

being soldiers

E picked up a souvenir.

One of the few pics I have of me.

And one of the few I have of Iris.

 Fireworks on our last night together

Now we settle in for the last weeks of summer, looking ahead to school and fall routines.

I imagine we'll try to go to the pool most afternoons and try to get organized around the house.

I'm not feeling very on top of things.

How will you be spending the final weeks of summer?