Stone's Trace Pioneer Festival~Sept. 13, 2009

We went to Stone's Trace Festival in Ligioner on Sunday. It was a great Festival featuring pioneer areas, Civil War areas, crafts and vendors. The kids enjoyed the music, games, straw maze, and the reinactments. They were able to participate in a lecture featuring Brig. Gen. John Buford at the battle of Gettysburg. Hope was not very fond of the canon being shot off but we liked it! Most of the day was spent wandering around and viewing the wonderful setting. Both kids thought they needed something to remember the day by: Hope got a little indian purse & Jonathan got a bow and 2 arrows.

September 12~Tractor Pull

This year was the first annual Apple Festival Tractor Pull in Nappanee, IN. The Cripes were in full gear for the event. Here is a video of Greg pulling with his brother's John Deere 5010. (I know it says 5020 on the tractor but it is really a 5010). His uncle, Dad, and both brother's pulled in this tractor pull.

(Greg)

Labor Day Weekend~ Sept. 4-7, 2009

Labor Day weekend was filled with camping at Twin Mills with the Cripe Family. This is our annual camping with aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. This year we scratched the tent and went for the pop-up camper. We borrowed it from a friend of Greg's. It was so nice to up off the ground and have a little heater on the cool nights. We have a great time each Labor Day Weekend as we head off to Howe, IN and join the rest of the Cripes for games, biking, talking, laughing, swimming, and eat, eat, eat. There is never a lack of food and fun. The guys really loved playing corn-hole. Although, camping is a ton of work, it pays its dividends in memories that will last a lifetime.

The Pumpkinvine Bike Trail

On Sunday, we loaded up the kids, the bikes, and hit the trail! We rode the Pumpkinvine Bike Trail. It is a beautiful trail from Goshen to Middlebury. The site itself, was actually on old railroad. Pretty cool! The day was gorgeous for riding. The kids did all 10 miles wonderfully (that means without grumbling or complaining). Along the way, we encountered a painter turtle. Greg, of course, had to have his picture taken with this killer beast! I think the turtle was glad to be free of us as it quickly escaped into the brush. We stopped for ice cream at "The Chief" when we were all done riding. What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon as a family!

Bowling

The kids are crazy about bowling! I took them to Signature Lanes on the 29th of August! They are both pretty good (with the bumpers up). They loved being able to watch their scores on the screens above. We played a full game then hit the arcade for a little while to win tickets that would buy them cheap treasures.