Happy 70th Birthday Grandma Nancy!

 

My mom always says her favorite thing is to have her whole family all together.  With 14 people in three different states, that is not an easy feat!  

But in July, we all traveled to a big vacation house in The Wisconsin Dells to celebrate Grandma Nancy's 70th birthday.  

 

The house was perfect for all of us, lots of bedrooms, a game room and a fire pit for s'mores.

 

The girls all set for s'more time.

 

Annie and Amelia, 11 years old.

And Max ,also 11, the funniest photo bomb ever.

 

While on vacation, we hired a photographer to take some great family photos of the whole group.

This is not one of those photos.  

But, my mom really, really wanted a picture in her birthday cake hat, so there you go. 

  

Our group was too big at dinner so we split up into two tables.  

The original Wellhoefer five...

 

And the fun table!!!

All the kids and uncles.  

 

 

Some super competitive mini golf.  At least if you were in Grandpa Jon's group.

 

Fun to mini golf with little bit because no matter what your score was she would say, "Yay!  A whole in 5!"

 

Addison was thrilled to share her hair bows with Cousin Evan.  

 

We went to a fun restaurant where the food and drinks were delivered on a train.  It also blew bubbles at the kids, they loved it.  

 

Have to visit the Wisconsin Ducks when in Wisconsin Dells.  

Just like it says, a fun adventure on land and water.  

 

We saw a mommy dear and two babies while on the Duck tour.  The baby is in the background behind the mommy.

 

Cousins!

Luke-9, Annie-11, Evan-14, Amelia-11, Max-11, Addison-6

 

The vacation house was also had a common area with a restaurant, playground, and an indoor and outdoor pool which was great with the kids.  

We had a fun time hanging out with everyone and my kids LOVED seeing all of their cousins at once.  

Happy Birthday Mom!  We love you! 

Twin Lakes!!!

 

Amelia and Luke were so excited to arrive back at Twin Lakes Summer Camp!  

 

Luke and Matthew were buddies this year in their cabin.  

 

Amelia went with her buddies Whitney, Lizzie, and Gavriella.  

 

While Luke and Amelia were away at camp, Addison and her buddy Amanda did a sweet, little camp at our local Children's Museum.  The theme was the Pinkalicious book series and was filled with crafts, stories and baking.  All of Addison's favorite things!

 

This is the final day of camp at the parent's party.  All of the treats the girls made themselves and were very excited to share.   

 Throughout the week, we can scan through the 100's of pictures the camp takes each day.  Hoping for a glimpse of our kiddos!  It is so fun to see them having the time of their lives. 

I love this picture of Luke!  The boys do a boys night and do some sort of warrior game night and he LOVES it!  So funny. 

 That is Luke hanging like a monkey while having fun at water world. 

Amelia at either archery or rock climbing/zipline.  I cannot remember.  

The kids enjoy hiking, kayaking, swimming, archery, skits, devotions, songs, crafts, waterworld and so much more.  This camp has been a huge blessing in our kids lives.

 

At the end of the week, it was time to go pick up my babies again.  As they all come out on the stage, I cry every time.  It is so good to see them again.

 

Matthew and Luke with their amazing counselors.  

 

Amelia loved her counselor too:)

 

Amelia and Lizzie loving some Twin Lakes. 

See you next year Twin Lakes!!!

Happy 4th of July!

 

We spent our 4th of July weekend with our friends the St. Amants.  We had lots of fun at the beach and on the boat and hanging at our club pool.  

This game is spike ball and it is addicting and so much fun...and competitive for adults and kids alike.

 

Addison was happy swimming all day.

 

Amelia and Daddy battling it out with paddle ball.  

 

Addison and Alden chilling with Chad.

 

We headed out on our boat in the evening so the kids could swim until the fireworks started.  They hopped in the boat as the show started and what a view we had!  

Such a fun night!

 

Happy 4th of July!

Smoky Mountain Trip with the Ruzas Family

 

We met our wonderful friends, The Ruzas Family, in Tennessee for an awesome vaction!  

The Ruzas were our neighbors when we lived in Indiana and the kids were each other's very first best friends.

 

The Ruzas arrived and the fun began!  I love when these kids get together, it is like we never moved away.  They are right back to laughing and running and playing like old times.

 

Me and Marcie.

 

Lots of fun in the hot tub on this trip!  

 

Why the Smoky Mountains are called the Smoky Mountains.

 

Marcie, Sam, Abby and Chris Ruzas.

On the way to whitewater rafting, we pulled over to get this amazing shot.  So pretty.

 

On the bridge on the way to whitewater rafting.

 

Addison and Chris made breakfast for everyone!

 

This day we went hiking and the kids all loved exploring in the creeks.

 

Looking for bears.

 

Love me my "little bit."

 

Sam and Luke daring each other to dunk in the freezing mountain water.  

1,2,3!!!

 

 Love our time together...

 

We also visited the Dixie Stampede Dinner show.  

Lots of fun and food and horsemanship.  

 

"Southern Belle"

Addison went right up to her and said, "I was born in Mississippi and I am a Southern Belle too!"

 

The food is very abundant and each person had a whole chicken served to them and no silverware.  Part of the fun, I suppose.  Marcie shot this great picture of Addison when the waitress plopped a whole chicken on her plate.  

 

 Fun at the Dixie Stampede!

 

Beautiful sunset shot from our deck.

 

It was such a nice trip and visit, we all had so much fun!