Bagel Boys - and Other Cabin Activities

Matt and his sous chef made fresh bagels! 

The infamous paddleboard balancing 

Ice cream 

 

Messing around on the boat 

Kayaking with Gramma 

Spoiled

How spoiled are we that we can call these vistas our office view for the next week? 

Campfire 

T-man out for a morning kayak ride 

Starting the day early so we can enjoy this 

Lake Rules

I think we are doing a good pretty good job following the rules.....,

Camp Santa Maria

After receiving the following letter on Thursday, I was a bit hesitant to pick up the kids at camp today. 

And as expected, D-man gave a thumbs up to this camp ("I liked this camp for different reasons than the other camp") and T-man gave it a so-so rating (to which D-man commented "I saw you. You were having fun.").  

Back from camp 

Regardless, I'm proud of both of them for going and happy to have them back (and as I write this on the plane, they are both enjoying some time on their iPads.....). 

Home Sweet Home

We wrapped up our last few nights without the boys at home. Having been on the go for 2.5 weeks and knowing we were headed out again for 2 more weeks, it was nice to enjoy our home for a bit. 

We hosted Marshall's high school friend, Tom Fuller, and his family on Wednesday night. We had a casual BBQ and enjoyed hearing some old stories. It was a bummer the kids weren't here to play with their kids, but Tom and Marshall caught up and that is the most important part. 

On Thursday night, we made a  scrumptious dinner that we enjoyed on the back deck. And Friday night saw us enjoying a cocktail on the back deck, enjoying a nice meal at a restaurant up the street and packing for our next summer adventure. 

Happy hour 

Dinner at Parma 

Firsts

First time both boys away at sleep away camp. 

In his bunk (and so excited) 

Friends 

Pirate football buddies 

First return trip to the Oxford since our wedding 

Our first trip to The Cooper Lounge in historic Union Station.

The first time (since kids) we have both stayed in a house we own without kids. 

And of course..... Getting in the LAST bit of iPad time before camp.....

(The best about this iPad time? Overhearing the boys says they love their brother). 

Weekend Wrap Up

I'm After a great day at the water park with my sis, her Fam, and my parents, the boys and I made the trek home. We had hoped to stay in Ogallala, but with the hotels rooms all booked, we drove all the way to Denver. While a long night, it was nice to be home all day on Saturday before taking the kids to camp. 

Enjoying the high dive (again and again). 

Rest stop fun

Catching toads 

Goodnight Pender

Tonight marks the end of our 2 week Pender trip. These last few days included a sleepover for D-man, golfing (for adults and kids), and Vacation Bible School (which means adult-only dinners at the bars!). 

Even though it's the same place, it's a different experience every year. Thank you Nana and Pop and the Geiserts for making our trip so special!! 

Late night snacks 

Our lodging for the 2 weeks 

Bible school 

Helping Mom get her steps in 

Our amazing hosts 

Gone Fishing

T-man was finally successful at catching some fish this summer. He and Pop headed out for lunch and some fishing in West Point on this unseasonably cool summer day. He called it quits after fish #20. What a special day. 

Diving Dynamo

T-man and I went to the pool by ourselves today. We enjoyed cooling off on a hot day today and having T-man learn something new! Love having a deep end and seeing his first dive in the pool I learned to swim in. 

We celebrated with $1 ice cream at Popo's. Way to go T-man! Love how proud he is at the end of his video.....

http://youtu.be/pFyaFMjSqBo

Happy 4th

A gorgeous day celebrating America's birthday with the entire Karlen family. The kids out on a fireworks show including treats, sparklers and the Star Spangled banner. Priceless. 

 The fam 

The show crew (sans Grant) 

The fireworks 

The town 

The audience 

Shut Up and Golf With Me

On our way back from our golf lessons, our summer song came on "Shut Up and Dance With Me." A great week is just getting better with all the Marshall's arriving tonight - the Marshall family and Marshall Peavy. 

Fireworks!

Our eldest is obsessed with fireworks. After lighting fireworks here, the kids headed down the street to a neighborhood party. There were big fireworks and D-man was in heaven. He stood by the table with all the fireworks and took it all in. He knew the names and the cost of most of the fireworks. Happy July from Nebraska. 

Thailand

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Steps and Flikers

So far, I've been able to get in my 10,000 steps every day. Jaima's daughter has started checking in on my step progress regularly. Today, she and T-man helped me get some steps in on a trip around town, to the library, and the park. We noticed they had on outfits that matched their flikers today - too cute!