Camping Trip/Goonie IRL

We've been very fortunate to meet a group of wonderful, fun, and supportive parents over the last three years after we discovered we were pregnant with Ernie. Those within reasonable (and somewhat unreasonable) driving distance to Illinois decided to take a group camping vacation. Every parent pitched in to keep the little ones safe, and all the kids played nicely together. Ernie's still asking about many of his friends from his vacation.
On the way there, Mom picked up a Tractor House Trade magazine. It kept us busy for the six hour drive.
Here's the lineup:
Reading some of Ernie's favorite scary stories around the campfire.

Playground fun! Ernie was motivated to expand his physical bravery based on his friends activity.

Ernie about to roast his first marshmallow.

"It's gooey," he says.

Most of the gang getting ready for the hayrack ride.

A mini golf course was right across from our camper, and the kids would play here any chance they got.

We went paddleboating twice.

Tractor Museum

As part of the Lincoln Passport Program, we all went to visit the Larson Tractor Test Museum recently. How do you spell "love?" According to Ernie: T-R-A-C-T-O-R.

Here he is saying what he said next to ever item in the museum, "That's a very old tractor!"

And we decided it's time baby sister Lenora gets a pic on the blog, so here's Mom showing her off (with Snuggle Puppy and Tractor Hat, both very important family members in their own right).

Fourth of July

Ernie got to see his Hall aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and one great-aunt over the July Fourth weekend. We spent most of the time outdoors in Grandma and Grandpa Hall's backyard either eating or swimming. We stayed with the Mohrs, So they also got some early morning time with Ernie to try snaps and a few daytime explosives.

There were many birthdays besides America's celebrated. Aunt Cathie's was legitimate, and the rest were belated. Jeremy got several books, including the one pictured below. Ernie got a super-awesome ukelele from Uncle Chris and Aunt Amy. Loyal Ernventure readers will recall that Uncle Chris first stoked Ernie's love of live guitar music this last winter. He just loves playing with this new toy!