Each summer, Steve and I try to plan a family day with all of our children and grandchildren. This year we divided our time between two days as we tried to work with everyone's schedule. Even though it can seem like a chore to get a date it is always such a pleasure and so rewarding to spend time together. I enjoy watching my children chat and interact with each other and a highlight is seeing the grandchildren happy and smiling and laughing.
On Saturday, Steve and I, Shawn and Melissa, and Jay and Kristen took the grandkids to Cherry Crest Farm. The girls remembered it from last year and were excited about going again. We had a pleasant couple of hours just walking through everything and watching the children enjoy the animals, rides and play areas. The only stressful part was the Strasburg Railroad train that passes through the farm about every 15 minutes. It blows it's whistle loudly as it sails by and Awstin was not a fan of it. We kept an eye out for it and always warned him and Melissa would hold his ears. He would endure it and then as it whizzed by he would say hopefully "bye train?".
Our wonderful grandchildren!
Alexis and me.
Kristen and Lydia
The Singing Chicken Show was a big hit. Mark goes closer for a better look.
Taking a break.
Jay and family enthralled by the chicken show :)
Alexis and me again.
Melissa holds Awstin's ears as the train rushes by.
Even Hannah enjoyed the shelled corn barn although she wasn't quite sure what to make of it.
We got back from Cherry Crest mid afternoon and the rest of the family joined us for an early supper. After supper, everyone except Kristen and I went to Tanglewood to the driving range. While they all tried to hit the little white ball, Kristen and I took the children to Muddy Run Park. That is where I got the picture at the beginning of the blog of Mark and Awstin holding hands. We were walking from one playground to another one and we had to cross the corner of a parking lot. We told them to grab someone's hand as we walked through and they immediately attached themselves to each other. It was so precious! Afterward we came back to the house again and just enjoyed some relaxing time together until everyone went home. Of course Steve gave the children rides on the barrel train. Alexis and Mark and Awstin love it. Lydia will ride it sometimes, but chose not to this time. I don't think the boys would ever get tired of it. I'm not sure what is so much fun about sitting in a barrel and being pulled around but most children seem to love it.
There they go!
Last evening we all met again at the Barnstormers Game. We enjoyed a delicious meal of Hess's barbecue chicken and then Steve and I took the grandchildren to the playground and carousel while the others chatted and watched the game. Melissa and Kristen also made their way over to the play area and joined us. The merry-go-round was a big hit and all the children rode on it many times.
Shawn, Melissa and Awstin
Jay, Kristen, Alexis, Lydia, Mark and Hannah
Jeremy and Megan
Josh and Julissa
We told them not to climb on the rails.
Awstin didn't listen too well :)
Yes, we were practically the only ones there.
Awstin.
Lydia.
Alexis
Mark
The girls on the merry-go-round.
Mark waves as he and Grandpa go around.
Melissa and Awstin take a selfie while Grandpa watches.
Hannah is all smiles!
That ended our family time together for this summer. I'm so thankful for these moments that we can spend together. Family is such a blessing!
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