4th of July at the Lake

We headed up to Northern Minnesota for our annual vacation and 4th of July week at the lake.  We left on Sunday the 30th after Erik got home from church.  The kids and I skipped church in order to have eaten lunch and finished packing by the time he got home.  As soon as Erik got home, he took a little time to quickly put some finish on our hardwood stairs.  We couldn't walk on it for 12 hours, so we figured since we were leaving, this would be the best time to do it. :)  After we accomplished all this, we loaded up the van and headed out of town around 1:30.  The kids napped in the van, watched movies, and we made one stop for dinner in Albertville, and arrived at the cabin around 9:00.....just in time for bed! :)

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we had the most perfect weather you could ask for.  It was sunny, about 80 degrees and no wind.  Our days consisted of waking up, eating breakfast, heading down to the beach to play, coming back in around 1:00 to eat lunch, then taking an afternoon nap, heading back down to the beach after nap, eating dinner, then fishing or a boat ride after supper, and then heading in for baths and showers around 8:30.  The kids loved the beach and spent hours out there digging, playing in the water, and just hanging out.  Fishing was also a popular thing that Kyler and Norah wanted to do.  Grandma and Grandpa had gotten Kyler and Norah each a kids fishing pole with a fake fish hooked to the end.  They spent many hours casting their poles and reeling in their fish. :)  Grandpa and Daddy also took them out for some real fishing too. :)
Here are some pictures from Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday:

Fishing off the dock

Paddle boat ride

Beach girl :)

Enjoying the water

Fishing with Grandpa

Heading out to do some real fishing :)

They caught one!  The funny thing is, they had another fish too, but it was too big for the pole so it took the lure right off.  That's what Kyler loves to tell everyone, "we caught a big fish and it took Grandpa's lure!" :)

Dinner at the picnic table

S'mores!

S'mores with Grandma :)

More beach girl :)

Squirt guns

Tube riding :)

Kyler, Norah and I rode the big tube behind the fishing boat! :)  They loved it and did it several times while we were there-got to start them early! :)  Plus since mom is pregnant and can't ski, she was still able to get drug around the lake somehow :)

Practicing fishing

Daddy skiing!

Riding in the boat with Grandpa

Tube time!

More tubing!

Kayaking with Grandma!

Kayaking with Grandpa!

Late Wednesday night, Ashley's brother, Ben, and his friend, Trish arrived.  So when we got up Thursday morning for the 4th, we had two more people to hang out with!  First thing Thursday we headed down to the neighbor's cabin for breakfast at the pot.  This is one of my favorite meals of the year as we cook eggs, bacon, and sausage over an open fire in a big pot.  Everyone also brings lots of yummy baked goods, fruit, potatoes, and other breakfast things.  After breakfast we headed out to the beach to watch the boat parade.  It took a while for the boats to make it around to us, but we waited and played and watched, and finally they arrived! :)  After the boat parade, we headed in for lunch and naps.  Then after naps, we enjoyed more beach time and a great dinner that my brother prepared.  Since we are so far North, and it being the beginning of July, it stays light really late, so fireworks don't start until well after 10:00 at night.  So, unfortunately, we didn't see any fireworks again this year, we just listened to them. :)  Here are some pictures from the 4th of July!

Cooking breakfast

Waiting for our food

Big man!

Yummm!!!

Annual 4th of July photo :)

Waiving at the boat parade

Watching the boats go by

Warming up :)

Friday was another beautiful day and we did more of the same; time on the beach, riding the tube, fishing, playing in the water, etc.  Friday night we went out to eat to celebrate Erik and I's 7th wedding anniversary that was on July 1st.  Hard to believe it's been 7 years already!  Saturday it rained, so we were stuck inside most of the day.  Sunday we said good bye to Ben and Trish, as they had to head home and go to work again on Monday.  Sunday and Monday were two more great days and on Monday I think we did just about everything possible! :)  Then Tuesday we loaded up and headed home!  Here are some pictures from the last few days! :)

Water fight with Uncle Ben

This is my parent's puppy, Harley.  Everyone thought it would be fun to watch him jump off the tube into the water :)

I laugh at this picture :)  All of us watching the dog :)

Our Family :)

Erik and I!  7 Years!

My family

Little Miss in her flower cover-up :)

More tubing :)

And again :)

So relaxing!!!

Last dinner at the picnic table!

Last night

Love these two! :)

Thanks Mom and Dad for a great week at the lake!  We couldn't have asked for better weather and loved every minute we were there!!  Always hard to leave, and can't wait to come back!!