Grand Marais '11

As if we needed any reminders, Summer is over.

To wrap up each summer for the past 7 years or so, we've gone up to Grand Marais with a group of Emily's extended family. This was the first year Anna has really enjoyed the trip - it shocked me to realize that last year she was not yet 2 and she was just toddling along. Now's she's like unique little person... I guess that makes sense!

Nothing beats rock throwing at the harbor.


The kids enjoyed playing at the beach watching the fog roll in. Laura was intrigued by the notion that we were walking in a cloud. Anna is trying to find the best rocks to try to eat.


The rocky sand is great for making your legs dirty.


Anna is getting really good at charming people. Here she was busy charming all the aunts, uncles, great aunts, great uncles, or any random stranger in the lobby of the hotel.


Laura and her cousins decided the beach would be a great place to sell water. The fee was reasonable: 1 rock.


Anna enjoyed burying things in the sand.


Like her feet.


If Anna is anything, it is enthusiastic... it doesn't matter about what!


Naturally we had to make a few visits to the hotel pool. Here little Auntie Mandi ahem, Anna climbs the steps of the pool.


Laura had a breakthrough swimming on this trip: She's officially a doggie paddler. We forgot her life jacket, but she insisted on swimming by herself and did it. By the end of the trip she was able to paddle across the pool with only a little rest half way through.


One the traditional activities is going up to great uncle Steve's cabin and catching grasshoppers. Here Laura is showing off her latest catch.


We also took the kids out to Artist Point in Grand Marais for a hiking adventure on the rocks. Laura and Anna loved scaling all the rocks and hiking through the forest.


Here Anna takes a moment to ponder the universe.


On the way home we made a quick stop at Gooseberry Falls for one more hiking adventure. Anna was so excited to visit a waterfall. She was only slightly disappointed when she learned a waterfall is NOT the same thing as a waterslide. I was a bit surprised when she insisted on riding down the waterfall until we cleared that up.


One last hike through the rocks and then the drive home. It's been a great summer, and now we look forward to Fall.

Happy Birthday Logan

Laura & Anna got a new cousin. Naturally they're very excited and Anna even sang happy birthday!

Take me out to the ballgame!

Laura had her last t-ball practice today. She really enjoyed playing on the team, even if she was the only girl.

First part of practice is always throwing. Here she shows what she learned. Make a T and throw from the ear. I think the takes it literally and touches the ball to her ear.


Nice extension on the throw!


And follow through! Good work LJ.


I'm not sure what kind of pitch that is. Either a screwball or a slider!


Next she went out in the field. There are lots of fun distractions in the field. Like dirt.


Oh yeah, ready position!


Laura's favorite part: wearing a helmet!


Batter up!


The ball's all teed up, ready for Ms. Laura.


Now take a good whack!


After a couple 'foul balls' she made nice contact.


Now you run the bases! Laura likes the running too.

Garden Dinner!

Despite the overgrowth of weeds, the garden is starting to produce. Tonight's dinner included some tasty root veggies. The kids get so excited when they can pick their dinner, something that I think is really cool. I like that they make the connection between plants growing, tending the garden, and the freshest produce you can consume.

The girls helped me pick the veggies and very excited to help prepare it.


They couldn't wait and they each had a freshly peeled carrot. Tastes great and good for you.


Mmm mmm, taters, carrots, and onions.


It doesn't get any fresher than this.


Yukon gold and red potatoes.


LJ showing of the carrot she picked.


Yeah carrots! Anna REALLY likes the fresh carrot. She gobbled it right up and then asked for more.


One of the occupational hazards of gardening is insects. Yesterday after gardening, I walked into the house and washed my hands and then noticed a stowaway on my shoulder. The biggest hornet I've even seen! So I casually walked back to the door, but he saw a window and flew to it. I caught him in the window and sprayed him with some hornet spray. 12 hours later he was still twitching, but I managed to get this picture before Emily gave me the ultimatum to destroy the insect.

Beach Fun

With the summer in full swing, we spend most of the weekend out at Prior Lake enjoying the beach and the water.

Daddy, this playset is fun and all, but I want to go to the BEACH!


"We going to the beach! We're going to the beach!" I can't stress how excited Anna was to go to the beach.


Laura practicing her jumps with her mommy.


Laura's gotten so much more comfortable with her swimming. Now that she is armed with her little lifejacket, she is sure she could swim across the lake.


She even swam out to the buoy in front of Grandma Becky's house. It is at least 50 yards past the dock. Anna was so impressed, she kicked he floaty out to join us.


That's a girl who is pretty proud of herself.


Anna loved the water too, but she got hungry and needed a snack.


Once the snack got in her tummy, she came out for more. Not before a silly pose or two.


Laura showing off a flower from her garden. Our kitchen table has had a steady steam of flowers thanks to Laura & Anna's garden.

Hot summer days

It was a hot summer day today. Temps hit 90 and it was pretty muggy, so we got out the wading pools and let them warm up in the midday sun. After nap, they got to play!

There was 1 small baby pool with a dark bottom which got pretty warm, and another bigger pool that didn't soak up as much sun. It worked out great, since they decided they had a "hot tub" and a "cool pool" to play in.

During all this, Emily and I managed to sit in the shade drinking a Mai Tai. The good life.

Anna relaxing in the hot tub.


The girls kickin it in the hot tub together.


When you get warm, run to the cool pool!


And when you get cool, it is back to the hot tub.


Time for Laura to cool off.


Dancing helps, especially when the dance includes throwing water in the air.


Anna's chillin.


Time to CANNONBALL!


Laura's turn!


SPLASH! A great way to cool off.

Happy Independence Day

Happy Birthday USA.

We celebrated by visiting Lake Chip and Mimi and Bumpa.

The loons came out to visit, they even brought out their little baby. Here the baby eats a little breakfast.


The loons swam right in front of the dock, which made it easy to get a close up.


The girls took a turn fishing, but we got skunked again.


Nothing beats a nice watermelon snack on a boat ride.


Even more watermelon.


Mimi and Bumpa took us out on a boat ride. Anna caught some zzz's.


Laura took a turn in the captain's chair. She ordered dad to walk the plank.


If a four year old big sister can drive, then a 2 year old sister can certainly drive too!


They practiced some 'log rolls' down the ditch.


Anna and Laura love their new swing set. They love it so much, they even help keep it clean.