Labor Day at the Cabin

As soon as Norah and Kyler were done with school on the Tuesday before Labor Day weekend, we picked them up and headed up to my parent's cabin in Minnesota!  We had originally planned to leave the previous Sunday and be gone the whole week, but some plans changed, and we decided to leave Tuesday right after the kids got out of school instead.  It's a good thing too, because the Friday morning before, Erik woke up so sick, he couldn't even get off the couch!  He spent, Friday, Saturday, and most of Sunday just laying in the basement.  Thankfully by Monday, he was a bit better and we could leave on Tuesday!  We were able to just stop once again on the way up for dinner, and arrived at the cabin a little after 9:00.  We unloaded, and got everyone in bed.

Wednesday was pretty nice, and the kids were able to put their suits on and play at the beach.  We had a fun time just hanging out and playing at the cabin that day.

Fun in the water

Kyler had been waiting to use this squirt gun :)

Miss Norah ;)

Grace enjoying the sand

This view never gets old...

Enjoying the sunset!

Baby in the sink!

Erik's Twins birthday cake :)

All clean!

Thursday was another nice day, and the kids again had a fun time digging in the sand and playing down at the beach.  It was fun to watch Grace explore the sand too, as she wasn't able to sit up the last time we were there in July.  She had a great time sitting and digging in the sand with her hands, and even army crawling across the beach. :)  Also, late Thursday night after we were in bed, my parents and brother arrived.  Here are some pictures from Thursday.

Checking out the sand

Enjoying some digging time

More squirting

Having fun exploring :)

Friday was another relaxing day, and of course more "exciting" since Grandma, Grandpa, and Ben were now there. :)  The weather wasn't awesome, it was fine to play on the beach, but cloudy and overcast.  Nonetheless, we still were able to have fun!  My parents had recently purchased a stand-up paddle board, and we were all excited to try it out.  Even though it wasn't warm, the water was very calm and it was perfect to try the paddle board.  We all decided it was well worth their investment. :)  Norah and I also rode the tube.  We wore long sleeve t-shirts so we wouldn't freeze, but the lake was so calm, it was perfect for a tube ride. :)  Friday night we also enjoyed dinner in town at a favorite restaurant to celebrate Erik's birthday.  Here are some pictures from Friday. :)

Me trying out the paddle board :)

Ben and Norah

Apparently while I was out paddle boarding, Ben and Norah had a dance party on the dock :)  I have a whole sequence of pictures of them together, it's hilarious. :)

Enjoying the paddle board!

Relaxing

Norah wanted a ride :)

  

Kyler showing me the hole he dug in the sand

Beach baby!

Miss Grace

Tubing!

Erik opening his birthday presents

Saturday was pretty much like Friday, cloudy, cool, but calm water.  Since it wasn't windy, we were still able to enjoy the paddle board some more, tube, play on the beach, and go fishing.  Kyler had been asking to go fishing, so he finally got his chance! :)  

Norah crafting while Kyler fished :)

Grace made her way under the table exploring

Ben's catch :)

More tubing!

Kyler took a ride

Kyler's big catch!  He is so proud of this walleye that he caught.  He still talks about it all the time and can't wait to catch more next summer!  (Yes, we kept it and ate it for dinner!)

Story time with Ben :)

Sunday was about the same, cloudy, 60s, and a bit more windy than the previous days.  We hung out for most of the morning, and went down to visit the neighbors too.  Then after lunch, my parents, brother, and Erik, started to put some things away for the winter.  The fishing boat came out of the lake, the kayaks were covered, we started raking, and reorganizing things so they could be put away.  The sun came out for a bit in the afternoon, but it was still too windy to ski. :(  (We had only gotten to ski once over the 4th of July, so I really wanted to ski again, but it didn't happen.) :(  Kyler enjoyed a little fishing off the dock after dinner one more time.  A great way to enjoy our last evening at the cabin!

More craft time!

Enjoying the sunset

Last time fishing for the summer

Love this picture….Kyler doing something he loves to do, "pitching" rocks into the lake

Mr. Kyler :)

Monday morning we enjoyed our annual "breakfast at the pot" at the neighbor's cabin.  It was extremely windy, which made it sooo cold!  We all ate quickly and then were ready to go warm up!  As soon as breakfast was over, we said "good-bye" to the neighbors, and then headed back to mom and dad's cabin.  We then finished packing up the van to head home.  It was a nice and relaxing few days at the lake.  It's sad to think that summer is now officially over and we won't have any more "beach time" until next year.  

All ready to head home!