Summer Fun--Week 9

The first half of our week was spent getting ready for our mini-vacation with the Tauntons. On Thursday morning, we loaded up and all headed up to Nisswa to spend a few days on Gull Lake at Grand View Lodge. I didn't take nearly enough pictures, so these few will have to do.

After settling into our cabin on Thursday, we hit the beach for a bit.

Our first night, we ate at the darling little Italian place onsite. I cannot stop laughing at this picture of Matt trying to steal the straw from Jack and Michael looking like he's glaring at Matt. Too funny.

Black squirrels were everywhere. I didn't even know those existed.

View of the lake out of our living room window.

Standing on the dock looking back at the beach/cabins. Our cabin is second from left with the light on in the window.

On Friday morning, we made a last minute decision to send the 4 big kids to Kids Club for the morning. They enjoyed crafts and games and lunch while Matt and Michael rode bikes (with a sleeping Jack in tow) and Jenni and I managed to escape to the spa for massages. The scenery of the spa was just gorgeous.

We picked up the kids and then took out a boat we rented for the afternoon. I love these pics of Will and Jillian.

Our captain for most of the afternoon.

Adrienne discovered Pringles. She is passionate about them.

The kids were very excited and nervous about driving under this low bridge.

We got a new captain for awhile...

Yes, we had a playlist, and yes there was dancing!

Love those tight little boing-boing curls at the nape of A's neck.

At the end of the ride, the kids decided to brave the "deep" lake water and jump in. It was chilly and starting to rain, so this didn't last long.

Luckily, the pool is partially covered so we headed indoors for the rest of the afternoon. It was at the pool this afternoon that we saw THREE families from Rochester that we knew. Minnesota is a small world, folks.

Walking back to shower for dinner.

After dinner, we hit the ice cream and candy shop--The Chocolate Ox. We were all fans.

Taking the steps out the back of the main lodge to head back to the cabin.

The main lodge is totally gorgeous. Reminds me of the setting of the movie Dirty Dancing.

The Tauntons strolling back.

Saturday morning the kids did some reading.

And we tried to get a pic of all 5 cuddled up on the couch.

Walking to breakfast

Playing shuffleboard after breakfast

Having fun in the resort gift shop

We spend the rest of the morning shopping around in downtown Nisswa and eating lunch at Rafferty's pizza, which was delicious.

This seemed an appropriate place to take a pic...

No, Matt, you cannot have these.

Silly kids waiting on pizza.

The weather on Saturday afternoon was perfection, so we spent it at the beach lounging, swimming, digging in the sand, and kayaking.

Saturday night was for games for the kids...

And later for the grown ups. I had one amazing game of No Thanks! A negative score--wahoo!

Tree huggers, saying goodbye.

On the way home we stopped at our new favorite Twin Cities brunch spot (Birch's On The Lake) before hitting Gear West so Matt could work on getting fit for the Tri bike he is going to buy. We had some thumb wrestling going on while we waited for our food.

It was a fast, fun few days with our "framily". So grateful for the friendships we all share, and memories we enjoy making together. 

Summer Fun--Week 8

I've got some catching up to do. Week 8 of summer involved the beloved Quarry Hill Nature Camp in the mornings to kick off the month of August. This was the first year that Adrienne was old enough to go, and she was SO excited! She had a great time, as did Jillian. Somehow I have no pictures to mark this most favorite summer camp experience. You'll just have to trust me.

Other fun that was had...lots of pool time. First at the RAC on Tuesday, then at the Country Club on Wednesday. The bonus for Adrienne is that her friend Annabelle was in town from NYC (they are halfway through a 2 year fellowship there and then returning to Rochester), so she got to swim with her both days. Matt was working late on Wednesday, so I caved and let the kids enjoy dinner poolside.

Jillian was supposed to be "enjoying her dinner", but instead kept giving me her disproving frown over the fact that I wanted to hit the Farmer's Market before they closed at 6. It's rough being 7, or so I am told.

We also had a little time at the school park this week. My monkeys had the place to themselves.

We had a slow weekend at home, and we really needed it. Neither Matt nor I felt well, and I think we were just all so tired from the whole madness of July. Late Saturday afternoon, Adrienne went with Matt to drop something off at work and Jillian elected to stay home with me. We decided to take a walk together and I think this is something we will do more often. I am fairly sure that Jillian's love language is quality time (especially when it's 1:1 with a parent). She had me as her captive audience for her millions of questions. She is a thinker, that one. Also on this walk she told me that I am "sometimes annoying" to her, and "I just want to be independent, Mom". Ya think?

We rallied enough Saturday night to go to the Country Club Fireworks (rescheduled from July 4th b/c of weather). As usual, it did not disappoint. Perfect weather, fun kid activities, good friends, and the most spectacular fireworks show I've ever seen.

On Sunday, we had another lazy day. Well, except for Adrienne, who decided to draw the world's largest Elsa on our driveway. Pretty sure she succeeded.