Schmucker Time in Goshen

Nathan (4), TJ (5), Lucas (5 1/2), and Luka (3 1/2)

Wow - four boy cousins, all about 8 months apart and age 5 and under.  We were so happy it worked out to be in Goshen the same time as the Stoltzfus cousins.  Stacy and Jeremy were keeping the home fires burning in PA, but the cousins had some great bonding moments.

At one point, we found them all with their brand new green shirts on covered in mud...pure dirt.  What a mess!

We took trips to the park, rode bikes and scooters in the church parking lot, took a trip to the library, and even made it to the famous Goshen Chief ice cream shop!  Luka actually rode a two wheeler with NO training wheels.  He was bit unsteady, but he took off like a bolt.  We owe it all to the scooter...he learned to balance on the scooter a few weeks ago, and I guess that translates to balancing on a bike as well.  Wow!

There was also movie time.  After all, it is summer break, and adults need to relax too at some point!

Vera of course had great food lined up, and we certainly enjoyed all the fresh garden produce each day!  We keep saying we are going to plant a garden of our own...maybe this year it will finally happen...I think we continue to be a bit more inspired each year.  We'll see!  Maybe Grandpa Walter will come down and help...

A highlight for everyone was the Elkhart County 4-h fair, supposedly one of the biggest in Indiana.  Scott has fond memories of going each year as a kid, and he was anxious to go back and show the kids!  Of course, none of the kids were tall enough to go on any of the big rides, except the Ferris Wheel, and they certainly did enjoy that!

Here are a few other pictures of the kids on the kiddie rides that seemed to be a big enough deal for them!

And before bed, a snack for all and stories, of course.

Thanks for a wonderful vacation Grandpa and Grandpa Schmucker!