Camping with the Tates

We are so lucky and thankful that we have the Tates as friends.  We get to tag along every summer for a relaxing and fun camping trip with their family.  It is one of our families summer highlights. We arrived Wednesday morning and our camping spot was amazing!  Beautiful and quiet

Ike got a BB gun for Christmas and has been waiting for this camping trip for MONTHS so that he could finally use it.

The girls

We had to recreate a photo from our first camping trip in 2017...

The boys out kick down branches and collecting some firewood.

Heading out on a hike from camp

the boys came extra prepared

My shirt deserved it's own picture and I had Elizabeth stand with me.  For the amount of time we have spent together over the years I'm not sure there is more than a pic or two of us together.

The girls spent hours while we were at camp driving around in the Razor.  Grace is the best 9 yr old driver around. The little ATV also gets hours of use by all of them.

Denny had to work Wed. so he came up later in the day.  He had to park before the really bumpy road so Grace drove me down in the razor to pick Denny up.

Thursday we got in the razor and dirt bikes and headed out on an adventure.  We went to the end of one trail and took a picture of the beautiful view.  Then headed off on another trail that ended at a hike.  We hiked a great trail with a tricky water crossing (most kids ended up with one or two soaked shoes) and that ended at a beautiful little lake.

Back at camp..The kids had fun adding to and playing at this fort in the trees.

Via also got to try her hand at driving the razor.  She is a bit shorter than Grace so it is hard for her to see and drive but she did great.  Grace was awesome at helping her and encouraging her to try.

Friday....Ike, Elizabeth and I hung out at camp while everyone when for a ride.  Ike LOVES tending to the fire.  Elizabeth and I enjoyed the fire and chatting.

 

Summer is the best ❤️

We are almost a month into summer and it is going by too quickly.  Some days are slow and relaxing but most days are busy with friends and having fun.  

Olivia had a great time at Adley's movie theater birthday party.  We had the whole theater to ourselves, so the kids were able to run around and play when waiting for the movie to start.  They thought that was pretty exciting.

We all went to the Weinberger's house for Max's 11th birthday party.

 

One of the best things about our neighborhood is our pool in the summer.  Ike and Via have so much fun there with their friends and we spend countless hours hanging out there.

Another fun sleepover having theTates spend the night.

Erie Farmer's Market with friends

Water fights, running around, and backyard movie nights with neighbors make summer evenings the best.

Viva Las Vegas!

We had an early morning waking up at 3a.m. so we could load up and get the the airport in time for our 6a.m. flight.  Landing in Las Vegas.  The kids were very excited.  Via has been counting down the day.  She couldn't wait to get there.

After getting the rental car we went to MGM and had a big breakfast buffet. Then started walking the strip.  We went to the M&M store and walked through New York New York.

Walked through Hershey's Chocolate World in New York New York Hotel

After a little exploring on a HOT day we went and checked into our hotel so we could cool off in the pool.  We stayed at the Mirage and they had a great pool.

Fremont Street...Dinner with the family and then enjoying the people watching and overhead show.  Via REALLY wanted to do the zip line that goes over Fremont Street, but she was 3 lbs to light.

Via loved watching these guys dance!

Treasure Island

Ceasar's Palace

We got to spend some time with Grandpa Phil. We also spent some time with Loretta, John, Dean and Elaine but I didn't get a pic with any of them.