So between all our traveling this summer we still managed to have some fun around our awesome area here in NWA.
As soon as we got back from Utah for Hazel's baptism, it was straight off to girls camp for me and Bailey.
Then Tanner and Dad left for young men's camp. While they were gone we played and had some fun, but we did miss Tanner.
We also made some home made ice cream. That's a summer-time staple.
While Tanner was gone we went to Lake Avalon with some friends. It was a gorgeous afternoon and we stayed for a long time. The kids had a blast kayaking and swimming. They played in the sand and built sandcastles. We missed having Tanner with us but we managed to have fun anyway.
Of course we had to end our time by playing on the zipline swings.
Another day we went to the library to get books and get free school lunches. This particular day they were serving pupusas and the kids were really excited about them. They all devoured them!
After lunch we met up with some friends and walked around downtown Bentonville doing some geocaching. Geocaching is like a treasure hunt. Objects are hidden or buried but they have clues and often GPS coordinates so you can find them. You can take what you find but you are supposed to leave something in it's place.
Most of the containers hold weird random things but the kids just love the hunt.
Bailey made friends with this butterfly on the way to our first cache.
After geocaching we decided to go to our favorite used bookstore on the square.
The kids each picked out a book. I figured it was an easy way to kick start our summer reading.
Then we walked over to the square to get ice cream from Spark Cafe.
We got in one session of "Kids Bowl Free" bowling. This is always a favorite for the kids and I really wish I enjoyed it more. It's not my favorite activity but we dutifully go at least once a summer.
Another day I took the younger three to the splash pad to play. Tanner didn't want to come- he's feeling a little too old for some of our activities.
Sweet Benson is still young enough to need naps after some of our fun activities.
A couple of days later we went to "Wishing Springs" to play and hang out with friends.
Benson got in some quality practice with his snorkel mask and he was cracking me up.
Tanner hung out with some of his friends and did some cliff jumping.
While he was busy with friends, my younger three floated the creek together.
Benson didn't want to stop to eat lunch, so he just snacked while he floated and I couldn't stop laughing.
We also tried a new splash pad/park. This one just opened this summer and it was busy but the kids loved it.
We followed that with a visit to the new soda shop that just opened. It's called "Pop up" and its similar to "Swig" or "Sodalicious". We ordered at the window and found out that the guy in front of us had paid for our order. It was such a sweet surprise!
Like usual, we spent lots of time at our neighborhood pool.
We even got in a few night swims. Of course you can't tell its night time because it stays light for so long.
But we stayed until right before the pool closed at 9 and even Dad got to come with us.
It was a very full summer filled with so much fun and amazing memories.
I can hardly believe its over and we are about to start another school year.
I'm so grateful for my adventurous family and that we love to explore and have fun together.
