State Fair

Sunday after church we traveled as a family to the fair grounds for the final day of the Indiana State Fair.

This sure isn't the Farncombe Garden and Flower show but it was a lot of fun.

Lillian enjoyed riding in her buggy through the different exhibits.

Those are some nice looking pumpkins and potatoes.

Look, at those gourds.

We have a winner!

Both girls loved the massive pumpkins

Lillian just couldn't understand why she could not touch them.

This one is definitely ripe and ready to go.

We had to check out the apples in honor of Miss Emma.

Then Daddy and Madi found the prize winning pumpkin and just had to get a closer look.

On our way to the wine exhibit, we stopped for a much talked about Jumbo Strawberry Short cake. While it was good, the Sparkman's only gave it one thumbs up.

At the wine hall, we located all 6 of the Hopwood Cellar wines (Great job Ron!) before heading out to the food stalls.

A quick stop at the Corn stall for Lillian (they gave her a free stub of corn) and we were on our way.

She loves her corn.

My favorite part of the fair was the BIG pigs. Madi thought they were all named Wilbur like in Charlotte's Web.
Boy, did it smell in the exhibit arena but it was fun to check out the the winners and watch them waddle by.

Food stop #2- Potato Ribbon (not as good as it looked but worth a taste)

Rob finally got his much desired Deep Fried Snickers

Both Madison and Lillian loved getting a taste

Lillian needed 2 just to be sure it was good.

A walk on the ledge, as we headed to the exit was the perfect way to end our fair adventure.


With Monkey's tail in hand, Lillian finally gave in to a much needed nap.

It was a great Sunday afternoon for our family.

Adventures to Chicago

While Daddy headed to Florida for Grammie Ellie's birthday, the girls and I headed to Chicago Friday afternoon with Nana.

No trip would be complete without a hot dog from the ONLY hot dog stand worth visiting.

Lillian loved her first Gene and Jude's hotdog.

But she preferred it without the bun.

It was the perfect late night snack at our hotel before heading to bed.

Saturday morning began with a trip to the hotel pool and then lunch with family: Aunt Nancy, Aunt Susie, and cousin Nicole. Then it was on to the Science and Industry Museum downtown.

Lillian enjoyed the baby scape area where she climbed through the blue tube...

and captained her first ship (just like Grampie)

Madison and Nicole enjoyed testing the different experiments (using water to keep a ball floating)

Cranking a conveyor belt to move the shape blocks through the machine.

We left the Kid Zone and headed to space an the other museum exhibits, where Madison documented her first trip the moon

and enjoyed a bit of clowning around with her cousin.

The highlight of the museum visit was the Harry Potter exhibition. Madison could hardly contain her excitement as we waited in line for our tickets before she raced to see the real Harry Potter car. The exhibit was VERY expensive but really cool to see.
Our favorite part was waiting for our designated time (4:53pm) and answering the Harry Potter trivia questions.
The exhibit was filled with props and costumes from the Harry Potter movies, as well as, Hagrids hut and a few replica figures of Dobby the house elf, Buckbeak the Hippogriff and a Dementor.

After the museum we piled back into Nana's Rav4 and headed to Applebees for dinner together.
Aunt Marge (next to Lillian) was also able to join us for dinner.


Sunday morning the girls went swimming with Nana and then we headed for Omi and Opi's. We celebrated Opi's birthday at our favorite greek restaurant, Connie's before heading back to Indiana.


It was a lovely visit with family.

Lilli's Summer Smiles

Summer flowers and shades!

All smiles!

Look out 2nd Grade- Here comes Madi!

Summer flew by all too fast for some, but not for Madison. She was ready to go back to school.

Madison will be returning this year to Bridgeport Elementary and is excited to join Mrs. Gilbert's 2nd grade class.

Yesterday afternoon we went to the school for a meet and greet with her teacher and dropped off her supplies.

We also learned that her class is the lucky class to have 2 class pets- a bearded dragon (who eats pineapple) and a rabbit. Madison could not be more thrilled.

She happily skipped down the road to the bus stop at 7:40am headed for her newest adventures.

Story time for Monkey

After a long morning of playing, it was time to read Monkey a story before laying down for nap.

Summer Splashes

Summer is drawing to a close and school is starting right around the corner so Sunday afternoon our family (plus Nana and Pa) headed to Splash Island for an afternoon of fun.

The slides were the biggest hit of the day and it was great to splash into cool water after standing in the 93F humidity.

It was a great family afternoon and a fabulous way to end summer.

Button Box

Every one loves playing in Grandma Joan's old button box!

When Madi was little she would sit for long periods of time and take each button out one at a time and sort it into little cups and bowls.

Lillian (who prefers doing things her own way) likes to take handfuls of the buttons and throw them around the floor. Occasionally she will put them in the little cups (only to throw them around the floor as well).

Game Night at the Sparkman's

One of the things we started after returning from the UK was a monthly game night. We gather with 2 other couples every month and share a meal and an evening of games. We rotate the different houses and the games that we play. It is so much fun.

This months game night was hosted at our house and the menu was MAKE YOUR OWN PIZZA!
Each couple was given a pile of dough to kneed and cover with toppings. It was quite a hit.
Rob went for the meat and jalapenos and I stuck with my typical Hawaiian with extra extra cheese.

Ron enjoyed ALL the toppings, while Janet preferred ham, pineapple and black olives.

Niki and Kevin sampled a bit of everything including: spicy sausage, pepperoni, green peppers, onions, ham, pineapple, black olives and jalapenos.

Madison also had a great time creating her pizza.

She was quite meticulous in spreading out her dough and adding her toppings (ham, pineapple, and pepperoni plus extra cheese)

The proud chef!


Can't wait until next month!

Camp PYCOA

Wednesday afternoon Nana and I drove Madison down to Brownstown, IN for summer camp. She would be spending 2 days and 2 nights at Camp PYOCA.


Just 2 hours after our departure, we arrived safely at the beautiful camp grounds.

We quickly checked in and settled Madison into her air-conditioned cabin (so goes roughing it). While she was disappointed to not be sharing bunks with her friend Heather, as always Trooper Madison was able to find the good of the experience and happily began making new friends.

During registration Madison met Mr. Rich (the executive director of the camp). Madison is one of 2 second generation campers this summer. I attended camp and weekend retreats at PYOCA all through elementary school and junior high and even helped to build the lodge where Madison shared her meals. It is a place of many happy memories and I am glad that Madison was able to experience it too.

Friday morning seemed to come all too quickly and it was time to say good-bye to the new friends Madi had made.

A final trip the canteen to purchase any last minute snacks (a bag of Skittles and a pop) and a T-shirt and then they would be on the way home.

Madison's counselor Sarah was very loving and great with the kids. She made them all feel so comfortable and at home. Madison said she was AWESOME.

At the end of every camp the campers make a banner to stay in the lodge as a memory of the week they had and a welcome for the new campers. She also made a stepping stone for the backyard.

Both Heather and Madison had a great time and are eager to return next year for a full week (we will see how they feel in a years time).

A few side smiles for you:
My ever time conscious child (the one that has no idea how long 5 minutes really is) decided that since they would only give each camper 5-10 minutes to shower (which was just not enough time) that it was better to just get "clean" at the sink with a cup and shampoo and have unlimited time. Can you imagine what 3 days without a bath was like?

Second, she informed me that clean clothes are overrated and therefore decided to re-wear a few items for her bag instead of clean ones. Of course her reminder from Mommy to not come home with clean clothes (there were exactly enough clothes for the days) seemed to go in one ear and out the other. We have since talked about the importance of daily clean clothes and the fact that if she is to return to camp she must change them every day.

She may not have come home the cleanest camper but she sure had a great time. Two days later she is still talking about how great it was at Camp.

Pool Party

What better way to spend the afternoon then outside in the $20 blow-up pool.


Lillian especially enjoys playing with her bath toys outside

And of course tasting the pool water

A great afternoon together!

Lillian Walks!

Look at her go- there's nothing stopping her now!