CHL Systems Company Picnic

Today we had Andrew's company's annual picnic and what a beautiful day it was - sunny, high 70s, no humidity. They hold the event every year at family-owned Hemlock Springs Farm, towards the Poconos and about 75 minutes away from us. It's a drive but it is always worth it since they do a really nice job planning a fun day. There is always great food and activities and the kids all love running around the 300 acre farm and swimming in the lake.

They had a moonbounce for the kids to go on and Ben was enthralled with it...until we tried to put him inside of it! Lately, he thinks he is about 6 or 7 years old and is always following the "big kids" around, trying to be included in their games. We've had people in the church nursery tell us that he likes to hang with the older kids and I have noticed it on the playground. Yesterday at the playground he decided to just join himself into a game of tag that a group of 5-8 year olds were playing. Nobody excluded him and I honestly think Ben thought he was part of the action! The same thing happened at the moonbounce today. He was laughing and running around the outside as the big kids jumped in and out of it. But he chickened out when we tried to put him inside (even with only one other baby in there!). Next year...

Watching the kids playing through the opening.


Checking out the slide.

Ben had the greatest time running around with the other kids playing with colored toy balls.


Here he is watching Andrew enter the frisbee throwing contest. Andrew ended up winning some cash for being the best frisbee thrower of the day!


This year they had hot air balloon rides for anyone who was daring enough to take one. We didn't end up going on because (1) the line was long by the time we got there, (2) it seemed a very rough landing and I concluded that this activity might be on the list of no-no's for pregnant women and (3) Ben was terrified of it (as most of the babies were). It was neat to watch, though.

What the HECK is that loud noise?!?! (as the balloon is fired up...it is louder than you'd think!)

Get me outta here before that thing gets me!!
Alright, it's not so bad when the daddy is there to protect you...