Hoosier Outdoor Experience 2010

This weekend was the Hoosier Outdoor Experience. We attended this event last year and had a blast so it was on our radar for this year. It was a blast this time too! We had a plan to head to our favorite events first and then see what else we wanted to try as the day went on. Our first stop was a ride in a jeep. The Michiana Jeep Pose came and let us take a ride on a rugged course. The only complaint...they didn't drive fast enough. Next we rode the ATV's. This is a favorite for all of us so we actually did this twice. I love that the drivers are grandpa's and they get a kick out of going really fast around the course.
Bikes came next and this time they had a "mountain bike" trail. Yes, I know we live in Indiana and then use of the word mountain may sound like an oxymoron but we do have some dirt trails that work best with a mountain bike. Dayton and Nathan braved the course. After bikes we headed to the shooting range. The past two times we have gone the volunteers had told us and our kids that they are "great shots" and need to get their own firing arm. Yeah for our kids but really? What does one do with a crossbow? I don't for see me sending my kids out to kill a deer for dinner. If the need ever arises I feel secure in the skills of my kids.
We went on a nature walk and tasted venison jerky. Yum! We learned about poaching and what the DNR is doing about it and we saw the mechanical deer they use to catch poachers. We saw smokey the bear, learned about fighting forest fires, and got sprayed by a mini firetruck. Dayton and Alexa practiced fishing. We drove remote control boats and after 5 hours of fun we were ready to head home. It was a bit hotter this year and although it was a beautiful day we were exhausted. We can't wait for next year!

Stilts

After we visited Connor Prairie for the first time, Dayton decided he wanted stilts for his birthday. Connor Prairie has sets of stilts for anyone to try out and all of the kids had a blast trying to walk with them. So where does one find a set of stilts to give to their child? No where that I found. We could make some but...Well I told Grandma Dayton that Dayton wanted stilts and she, as always, made the magic happen. When we saw them at The Beach for Labor Day, Grandma had them in her car as a surprise for Dayton. Surprised, thrilled, ecstatic would be more like it. His goal is to be able to walk on them for Halloween. He practices every day before school while he waits for the bus and he's getting really good. I think he'll want to go a little bit fast while getting candy but we'll have to see what he decides.

Company and The Beach

We love it when family and friends come to visit. This weekend Ron and Laura came with their 4 boys from Utah. Ron is Nathan's brother. We had a blast. Sunday afternoon we played the Wii, Foosball, and blocks.

Dayton and Jonah

Dayton was in 7th heaven having all of these boys around.

Preston
Mackenzie loved playing with Kamaron. He was like her "toy" the whole time they were here. She said to me, "See mom, I'm doing a good job. I don't need to be 12 to babysit." She did an awesome job!

Austen and Jonah rocking out to "Life is a Highway."

We drove downtown and walked along the canal on Sunday night. The weather was ideal but the bugs were a little annoying. The kids enjoyed running around and expending some energy. Alexa was ready to head back to the car long before the rest of us and Ron picked her up and headed over to the canal. She was not excited about the prospect of being thrown into the water but that was overshadowed by the fact that Ron picked her up. She said, "I haven't been picked up by somebody in a really long time." She's gotten too tall for me.

Mackenzie, Alexa, and Preston

Preston drove with Nathan, Alexa and I home from our outing.

He told us all kinds of stories and was particularly fond of Alexa.

He made sure her eyes were open and that she was listening to everything he had to tell her.

Lex was great with him.

I loved the way the sky looked. I'm sure if I had some camera skills this picture would have been better looking but, I don't so I'll have to keep this one.

Monday was Labor Day so Nathan planned a party. We drove to Mason, Ohio and went to the Beach. It is a water park close to King's Island. Ron and his family and Grandma and Grandpa Dayton joined us. We rented a bungalow right by the wave pool so we'd have our own space with some shade. We rode all kinds of water slides and rubbed our feet raw. Some of us were a little sore the next day but I think it is safe to say that everyone had a BLAST!!

Alexa and Grandpa in the bungalow.

Laura, Jonah, Austen, Kamaron, Mackenzie and Dayton.

Nathan and Grandma in front of our bungalow.

Austen, Mackenzie, Alexa and Dayton in the wave pool. I thought we would have spent more time at the wave pool but the kids were more interested in the slides. There was a zip line that occupied some time as well. One of the coolest parts was the rope bridge you could cross to get to some of the slides in the park.

This water slide was named "The Cliff." Rightly so, because you go straight down this drop off. Nathan, Ron and Jonah were the first to brave the slide. They all thought it was "awesome." I decided to give it a try and I don't think I would describe it as "awesome." It was a little too steep for me. I'm glad I did it but I don't need to do it again. Austen was a trooper and went with us. When we got to the top Austen said he wanted to go last. Jonah, Dayton, Me and Nathan all went before him. But he came sailing down after us. It was a great day. Thanks mom and dad for driving down to spend some time with us. We are so happy Ron and Laura took the time to drive out and see us. We know it is not the most fun drive one could take but we sure had fun spending time with them. We love you all.