Timberlake Mt. Carroll, Illiniois

Our family went on our annual camping trip to Timberlake camping resort. Our family went down one day early since every year the kids would ask, "Why can't we stay another night?" We enjoyed our own family time before everyone else came down and joined us! The kids were excited when their cousins arrived the next day. We had GREAT weather, food, games, stories, fishing, swimming, and family time! Each year we try to come up with some fun activity for the kids to do. This year the kids got markers and got to color and draw on themselves! They had a great time. After they were done, they paraded out to show the adults their artistic designs!

Berning Family Reunion

Willa cooling off my the fan

Kickball game between older cousins and younger cousins.. Some Uncles even stepped in and kicked the ball

Kids had fun pulling this old cart around

Willa, John, Karley, Emma, Josie and Brielle eating some lunch and many of them had an ice cream cone(s) for dessert~

Mom and Dad, along with great help from us kids hosted the Berning Reunion July 10 at the farm. What a good time. There were so many activities for all the kiddos and adults. There was a real ice cream machine, provided by My uncle, Doug Hilby, a kickball game, cows, chickens, lambs, ponies, four wheeler rides. It was a hot day- but we had a couple little showers that lasted for a minute or two to just cool us all down and a sprinkler to run through for everyone and we were able to continue on with the festivities. It was a great time had by all!

Here is a quote from an email written by another one of My uncles, Jerry Berning.
"Doug may have made the most friends on Sunday. He was visited by every attendee one or more times. The votes have not come in yet as to whether he had the most popular attraction at the Berning Bonanza. How about the Shetland Pony Hitch and JD 4-wheeler and the 2-wheeled cart, the chickens, the cow milking contest, the kick ball game, the dog escape show, the smorgasboard, etc?... Ellen stated that she called Bernadette with the good news this morning, Tues. Jim Schneider was about to take his dog for a walk or something, and this dog jumped into his arms.
Ellen & John and family are heading for Mt Carroll for a few days. They should receive the entertainer of the year award."

Yes, one of My cousin's dog went missing during the festivities as well, luckily with a lot of prayers and help he was found.

(Thanks Natalie for the summary of the day!)

Breakfast is Ready....

Josie set this breakfast table for Karley one night after she went to bed so that when she work up the next morning she could set and eat her breakfast with her choice of cereal! She even put a bouquet of flowers in the middle made from mega blocks! Karley really enjoyed her breakfast this next morning!

Play Ball

As Connor was playing ball at the tournament, Emma, Lincoln, Pierce and some other kids kept themselves busy playing ball themselves with an empty water bottle for a bat and a crushed bottle for a ball. They had a lot of fun!!

State Tournament

Connor playing 1st base during one of the games.

Proud Winner with his trophy

July 1-3 we went down to Des Monies for the U-9 State Baseball Tournament. The team played awesome and ended up winning the tournament. This is just their second year playing together. They started in pool play and then got seated accordingly. The Red Sox ended up going undefeated and won all 6 games. The coaches commented that every player contributed to play that helped them win every game!

The girls enjoyed the trip also because they got to meet some new friends, play with their cousins,the Oberfoel's because Carter is also on the team, go swimming, stay in a hotel and just play! The weather started out warm and humid and ended up cooling down and raining a little. The whole weekend was a fun little family vacation!!

Cooling Off...

We have had some hot and humid days this summer, but the kids have found ways to keep themselves cool. We have gone to public pools, neighbor pools and pools in our own back yard. We have had an outdoor pool for the past five years, but this year the motor went out on it so it didn't get set up right away. Tim and Kristen let us borrow their little pool for Tessa but the other kids have enjoyed it just as much! At one time all five kids were in this little kiddie pool having fun! There wasn't any room to spare, but they all got wet! We have recently just got a new pool for the bigger kids so Tessa can have her space back!

Supper is Ready...

The kids love to get out all the pans and pretend to make meals for everyone. This day they each had their own resturant and where cooking up a feast!

Emma crushing up crackers for part of her meal. She served crushed crackers and water to drink!

Josie served hers cafeteria style. In the black roasting pan was what and crackers (soup), next came the banana, followed by marshmellows and ended with clementines. Notice the wastebasket for garage afterwards! And yes, I did try everything!

Connor was making corn on the cob and had a whole process on how to butter it!

Karley and I were the costumers for every restuarant. They had a nice little table set up in the middle of the room for us to eat at! Yum.. Yum...

Ninjas

The kids love to play Ninga! They do have quite the moves and I won't want to battle with them. This is one of their many outfits. Karley has learned quite the moves from her older siblings!

Look Who is 8!

On June 29, Emma turned 8 years old! Even though we celebrated her birthday earlier with the other June Birthdays, she still had her speical day! It stared off with chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast shaped as the number 8! We had lunch at home and then met Dad at work to give her her present before heading to a family's friend pool. After that Emma had a softball game and then we ended the day with meeting Grandma and Grandpa Belken at Dairy Queen for some ice cream!! Emma said she had a great day!!

Birthday Breakfast

American Girl doll Kaya with an outfit and little Kaya doll

(Emma had been wanting this!)

Ending the day with an ice cream treat!! Yum, yum!

Look Who Is Crawling....

Tessa is 10 months old and now is crawling all over the house and even starting to pull herself up!

UD for Kids

While Connor was gone to sports camp the girls were busy in the mornings with Bible Camp at Holy Ghost. After bible camp, Emma then headed over to UD for kids. This was her first year of participating and she really enjoyed it! She participated in two activities: Blabberizeit (a computer program) and Mini Muscial 1. She really liked both of them.

Below is a picture from Mini muscial on their final performance. They did a little skit and sang some songs. I was impressed because Emma even sang a solo in one of the songs! I do think we may have a future performer!

Loras All Sports Camp

Connor and Carter, his cousin, had the opportunity to attend Loras All Sports Camp this summer. They were both winners of a scholarship that was offered through school. I was excited for them because I had worked camp for many years before having kids, so it was fun for me to go back and see some of the new changes and relive the memories!! They had a great week with great weather!! They attended the first week of camp which was June 19-24. This was there first experience of staying over night by themselves. They seemed to survive alright!

Connor's major was basketball, minor 1 was golf and minor 2 was baseball. He said he enjoyed all of them and learned a lot of other sports also they they would play with their huddle group. Both boys were on the Gold team!

Checking in (They were roommates also!)
The girls were excited to see his room and help him unpack.
The girls were busy all week also but were glad to see Connor again on Friday and I think Connor felt the same!!

Friday is camp Olympic Day where the parents have a chance to see their kids with their huddle group and compete in some activities.

Opening Prayer

Connor's huddle group gathering before starting their Olympic activities!!

He had a great counselor!!

Competing in the long jump

Running the last leg of the 4x 100(They came in first!)

Carter, Mark Kuhl, counselor, and Connor

Mark and Connor

The kids set goals for themselves for the work to earn. Connor earned the paddle and the brand of Love. There are certain rules they need to follow throughout the week to earn the paddle for the first time and then they can start earning the 8 different brands. This is a great camp that teaches a lot about sportsmanship and values.

Everyday ends with the kids yelling: "WHAT A DAY!!!"

Father's Day at the Farm

Father's Day was a fun filled day. It started by going to church; then we packed up and headed over to East Dubuque park for a picnic with Terry's mom's side of the family; after that, we took Connor over to Loras All Sports Camp and then headed out to the farm for a cook out.

Karley watching Emma ride Patches in the coral.

Josie patiently waiting her turn to ride Patches.

Emma and Willa feeding the sheep.

Karley and Josie taking a ride on Patches.

Karley is proud that she can ride Patches when she gets the chance.

Emma riding Patches in the coral.

June Birthday Party

On Friday, June 17 we celebrated June Birthdays at Kristen's parents house. It was a beautiful day with lots of sun, playing, good food, water rides, presents and family time! Our friend, Heather, did a great job with the cakes and cupcakes!

Josie and Emma

Birthday Girls!!

Birthday Cakes.....

Fish and piano cupcakes for my brother, Matt and mom

Kristen's parents had a new water tube that everyone from young to old enjoined riding! Everyone had lots of smiles and laughs while riding or watching the riders go! Even my sisters and I enjoyed a ride together!

Emma, Elly and Josie

Josie and Emma waiting for their ride

Carter, Max and Connor