Wow, so much has happened the last couple weeks that I cannot keep up with it all on my blog :P  The girls and I went to a family reunion for a few days to celebrate the 4th of July in Illinois.  We camped....which we really never do....so that was an adventure and a lot of fun.

We had a popup camper and a tent to get set up....Karly is modeling the tent :)

There were NO good mirrors anywhere....so glamping had to happen in the van mirror.  

An awesome straw Statue of Liberty in Mt Morris, IL

My birthday.....still blows my mind that I am in my 40's.....41 this year.  I do not feel old at all except to look around at the results of my life and to see all these girls growing up....WHAT?

My parents came and camped with us....they really hosted us because it was their tent and they rented out the camper for the weekend.  I am so blessed to have these sweet parents!

A gorgeous view from the campground looking out on Rock River Valley.

Danielle really WAKES up when she camps.  At home she can sleep in a really long time, but I learned she is the first one up while camping.  I got up around 5:30am to use the restroom and she looked like this at me and said, "RACKO?"....she was already to start the games!

My cousin, Andy, taking requests with his new ukulele.  We are a very musical family so we had lots of singing, some instruments, and a bell choir over the weekend as well as some skits and poetry :P

Ready for lots of candy at the parade...

The grandkids lined up in age order...we were missing a few, but still had a great group...

The kids....minus Josh, Amy, and Cori

When we arrived home, Brad had surprised me with this new kayak in our garage.....very cool!  I am excited to try it out!  I just have to figure out the best way to move/haul it because it is very heavy and I cannot move it alone.

There was one day when everyone was busy with stuff and Karly and I had a day completely to ourselves.  We went kayaking at Vandercook Lake and had a Culvers date :)

Vannah had a three day camp at MSU for Color Guard since she is a captain this year....she absolutely loves it and wants to try to advance to a competitive program.   Her high school doesn't offer that, so we are looking for other options of high schools which may allow for her to try out and join them or DCI (Drum Corps International) which allows students to audition and train to travel in the summers....anyway so much to think about leading into her final year of high school and dreams for beyond.

I asked her to toss the salad the other night and she said, "MOM, do you REALLY want ME to toss the salad?"....haha....she's a goof!

Trying to get MSU germs on her U of M sister :P

Then, Monday was her final driving test day....it poured down rain and she was nervous so we talked on the way about the windshield wiper speeds and how to handle hydroplaning if that happened....and how to avoid it :P  

I got to stand in the rain and watch her park...

SHE PASSED THE TEST!!!!  YAY!

We celebrated with Biggby and looked at a couple used cars :)