Lakeside

As per usual, our first few days at the cabin have been wonderful. It's the same and different every year. As the boys get older, they experience the lake differently and (sometimes) more independently.  

Brothers messing around on the paddle board 

Beautiful sunset 

The new water toy 

Tubing 

Ice cream 

Tending the fire 

Fishing 

Silverwood

A 12+ hour day enjoying another amusement park this summer. It was hot and the lines were long, but we had a great time. We also had the water park to break up the heat of the day. Favorites included the wooden roller coaster for me and T-man, the family tube ride, and the loopy-d-loop roller coaster for D-man and Marshall. 

Kayak Kid

T-man was so excited for kayak camp. 2 days at Boulder Reservoir and 3 days on Boulder Creek. A great week to be on the water. He learned how to do "cowboy kayak," stand up kayak, and kayak with water in the boat. He also learned how to get out if the kayak flips over. So great to see him do so well! 

http://youtu.be/xnDXyL1-B-A

http://youtu.be/WvBqgCj5O-U

No Guts! No Glory!

A VERY hot week for a grueling week of bike camp. D-man definitely learned a lot and took some hard falls in the process. 

The venue was an amazing bike park in Boulder and a great experience because D-man worked hard to improve (and failed in the process several times). He said he didn't want to try again at one point, but looked down at his shirt that said "no guts, no glory" and he went for it again. 

A couple videos filmed during parent time. Yup, I was the one walking all over the bike park in a skirt in 90 degree weather. Awesome. 

http://youtu.be/KQyenHhJ4YY

http://youtu.be/iW1ZHBA5y2A

Traveling Uncle Matt is Back!

It's been a year since we have seen Matthew and we have missed him! It was crazy week - and we got a lot in - dinners on the patio, swimming at the pool, a run for D-man, Marshall and Matthew, a trip to the dentist for teeth pulling. So glad Matthew could stay for a few days! 

Fun and YUMMY cocktail made by Matt

Belgian beer! 

A mean fame of Sorry! with the babysitter 

Uncle Matt chaperoning the dentist visit 

Louisville Weekend

It's the only weekend within 6 weekends that we are home so we made the most of it. We hosted the Smiley family and per usual, had a great time. We headed to the Louisville Street Faire on Friday night for games, food trucks, and music. 

On Saturday morning, we headed into Boulder for the Farmer's Market. Fresh salsa. Tomatoes. Peaches. Olive bread. Speciality orzo. Pickles. Homemade sauces for the BBQ and salad. All eaten on Saturday. Yum! We enjoyed trips to the pool on Saturday and Sunday and a bike ride on Sunday. 

Definitely a weekend taking in all our home has to offer and loved sharing it with great friends! 

With the cougar at the Boulder County Parks and Rec booth 

Quite the view from the parking garage 

The pool! 

Old School Road Trip

Cap guns at a pit stop (the second DQ of the day). 

Chillin' at the Motel pool

Mom style chillin'

Old school pool deep enough for diving 

And cannon balls 

The super moon over Ogallala 

Catching toads (I had to catch it the first time) and tracking license plates. Buffets for dinner and breakfast (boys were in heaven). Amazing summer road trip with two amazing travelers. 

Pender Wrap Up

I think the following statement (followed by tears) by T-man sums up our trip pretty well, "I want to buy a house in Pender."A few pics from our last 24 hours to showcase the amazing time with grandparents, parents, cousins, sister and fam. 

Private pool party (seriously). I love this picture. It sums up the fun the cousins had all week. 

The 5th quarter for dinner 

Ice cream! 

Walking Main Street on Friday night

Yahtzee with Nana! 

Thank you Nana and Pop! 

Freedom!

Not only did we celebrate our nation's freedom in Pender over the 4th, the boys have been celebrating their own freedom this week. Trips to Popo's, Subway, the golf course, the pool , the park, and just roaming the streets all on their own (or with cousins). Between bikes, scooters, walking, and Nana and Pop's taxi service, they are getting to know the town of Pender. 

They have also kept busy with rocket camp, movie night at the library, and attending a performance at the school (where Jaima, D-man, a Geisert girl, and I all joined in on the performing). I even celebrated my own freedom with a golf outing with Jaima! Another great week at "Nana Camp!" 

Free private golf lessons

"Practicing" on the putting green. I was just happy to be outside on a gorgeous evening. 

Fireworks, Food and Family

A 4th of July weekend filled with food, family, and fireworks. Marshall and I got away for a round of golf and the boys and I enjoyed some time at the pool. And the kids did a great job putting on a "fireworks show" for us and some of the neighbors. Happy 4th of July! 

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

A beautiful afternoon (it was almost chilly) at Target Field in downtown Minneapolis to take in a baseball game. Jacki was able to get away for the afternoon and go to the game with us. We had some delicious food and were able to stay for the entire game (a surprisingly short 3 hours). A great way to wrap up our wonderful vacation in Minnesota! 

The night before, Jacki got a sitter and we had an adult-only evening. We stopped by Minnehaha Falls - which were gushing due to all the rains and then headed down to "Eat Street" for Malaysian food and doughnuts!

Thanks to the Marshall family for hosting us on our vacation! 

Valley Fair

On Tuesday, the boys and I ventured out to Valley Fair for a day of twists, turns, big drops, and spinning. It was a cool day and no crowds so we got in a lot of rides in the 5 hours we were there. While we got hit with a few rain showers, we had amazingly cool weather which was perfect for a day of rides (and we saved the water rides for last).

T-man liked the big swings, D-man liked the T-man couldn't go on and the boys convinced me to go on the Wild Thing roller coaster which was tons of fun! 

We listened to the 1st half of the USA/Belgium game on the radio and caught the rest of the game on TV. Unfortunately, us jumping up and down chanting "we believe that we will win!" didn't work.