4th of July at the Cabin

Wow, it's been a while!  Need to do a little catch up on the blog!  We spent the week of July 4th up at my parent's cabin in northern Minnesota.  We left on Sunday, June 29th as soon as Erik got home from church.  We arrived up at the cabin about 8:30 that evening.  We only had to stop once, which was great considering Grace was 8 months old.  As soon as we got everyone in and settled for the night, we headed to bed.  The first couple days, Monday and Tuesday, were cool and windy.  You didn't even want to go down to the beach because it was too cold.  Also, in June, the water on the lake was the highest that they have seen in many, many years.  This high water caused the dock to be torn apart and washed up on shore.  So, we had a few things to accomplish before we could enjoy the beach and boats! :)  We helped Grandma with a few projects around the yard since we couldn't go to the beach and hung out inside for those first two days.

Grace gets her 1st bath in the sink!

Hanging with Dad

Helping Grandma work

All the dock up on shore….when my parents left at the beginning of June it was all in the water.

All the dock and the high water

Wednesday the weather was a bit better, and the kids were able to go down and play on the beach-exactly what they had been waiting for!!  Also, on Wednesday, while the kids napped in the afternoon, Erik, my mom, and I started the process of putting the dock back in the water.  I'm sure it was quite the site to watch us carry those pieces in, hook them together and tighten the bolts.  We were able to get about 5 pieces in the water and then decided we needed to wait until my dad arrived to help more.  (He was coming later that evening).  Thursday was the best day yet!  The sun was out and the wind was low so the water was calm.  The kids spent lots of time at the beach and we took the paddle boat out for the first ride of the season.  Also, while the kids were sleeping, the neighbors, Jim and Dick came over and helped Erik and my dad put the rest of the dock back in.  As soon as the kids got up, we took the boat out so that Erik and I could ski.  It's a good thing we did too, because there weren't any other days where the water was calm enough to ski.  My brother, Ben, also arrived late Thursday night. 

Kyler and Norah, 5 and 3 :)

What they have been WAITING for!

Miss Grace with Daddy

Kyler, Norah, and I on the paddle boat

Water fun!

More water fun!

Grace's toes in the lake!

Checking it out….

Hmmmmm...

Fishing off the dock with Grandpa

July 4th was Friday and we enjoyed a yummy "breakfast at the pot" down at the neighbors.  This is an annual tradition, and one I always look forward too because of all the wonderful food everyone brings. :)  After breakfast, we had our annual photo shoot with the kids in their red, white, and blue attire.  When pictures were over, the kids were off to change into their swimsuits and head back to the beach.  It's fun to see them get more comfortable around the water each year.  One of the first years Kyler could walk, he would hardly go out into the water without holding your hand.  Now he is jumping off the tube and off the dock, running along the beach and sitting out in the water.  Of course, Norah isn't far behind and also enjoyed jumping and running in the water too. :)

Breakfast!

Norah enjoying her food

Grace's first breakfast at the pot :)

Sand time after breakfast

"Chair" picture :)

Miss Norah

Miss Grace

Mr. Kyler

Hanging with Grandpa

Running on the beach

Saturday we did some work in the morning and then played at the beach some more.  Kyler is fascinated with bugs, frogs, etc. right now, so he had fun catching all sorts of things in theses nets my mom had.  Saturday night we went out to dinner in town to celebrate Erik and I's anniversary that was July 1st, 8 years and counting!  It's always nice to take a few family photos before we go. :)

Hauling trees that were cut down

Kyler with his frog

Grace and Erik

Jumping off the tube

Hmmm, what is this stuff…..

Attempt at picture with all three kids :)

Family picture

Our family

Mom and Dad with grandkids

Sunday and Monday were a bit windy and not that great for skiing or tubing.  However, Kyler really wanted to go fishing, and the wind didn't stop him from doing that!  Grandpa and Ben took Kyler fishing, and then Erik went along too a bit later.  Kyler was so excited to show off his catch!  Norah enjoyed some painting while Kyler went fishing, something to keep her occupied instead of dwelling on the fact that she wasn't fishing too. :) :)

Out fishing

Reeling in his catch

Grace playing

Painting with Grandma

Showing off his fish :)

Captain Kyler :)

Tuesday we packed up and headed home!  Although the weather wasn't what we had hoped for, we had a great time relaxing up North over the 4th.  It's always fun up at the cabin, and very hard to leave!!