Adam's Camping Adventure

 

When preschool ended, Adam and I made a list of all the things he wanted to do over the summer. One thing he really wanted to do was go camping and he especially wanted to do it after Aaron returned from his fishing trip where they slept in tents. We picked a night to do some backyard camping and unfortunately it rained that day so the ground was pretty wet. The boys decided to move their adventure indoors. I guess there are some benefits to not having a dining room table yet as that is where they set up camp. Aaron has been snoring lately due to allergies so I think Aaron moved him to his bed around 2AM so he could get some sleep. Adam had a blast and even made a pretend campfire outside of their tent.

 

Lakefront Park

 

Each summer, we plan an outing to Teddy Bear Park followed by a pizza lunch on the river with Grandma. Adam remembers this throughout the year and will ask when we are going to do it again. They love to watch the boats and throw rocks into the water. Even with the breeze on the river, it was a hot one this year. Check out these rosy cheeks!

 

Keeping Busy...

 

Aaron went on a week-long fishing trip, so the boys had I planned lots to activities while he was away. We met up with some friends of mine for a picnic and park time. We had so much fun catching up while the kids played and played. We also participated in many of the PepperFest festivities in North Hudson, including watching the parade with some of our neighbors.

 

Braylen and Adam at the park playing pirates

Madeline and Olivia - Evan was so sweet to them

Two goofballs at the parade

Waiting in anticipation for our neighbor Kara to pass by - she was dancing in the parade!

Summertime favorite...

We met our former neighbors for a fun outdoor concert featuring The Okee Dokee Brothers. Adam cannot get enough of them!



He sat front and center

They do a great job entertaining the kids



Evan loves their music too



Dancing to his favorite song!

Aussies

My friend Jeanine and her family have been living in Australia and she decided to come home for two months with the kids. This was so unexpected, so I was thrilled at the opportunity to see them.  Adam and I made the trek to Alexandria to celebrate Jaisa's golden birthday and enjoy time together. After knowing Jeanine for so long, it is so bizarre to hear her and her kids speaking with their Aussie accents! 

 

The kids were so entertained by the hammock

Pretty proud to catch this all on his own

Not afraid to hold it and throw it in

Friends since grade school

Papa's Retirement Surprise

Kate flew home for a work event in Wisconsin and we did some quick planning to rent a pontoon on the St. Croix for Papa's upcoming retirement. With the exception of Dallas, we all enjoyed a beautiful afternoon on the water.

Always full of smiles

Tuckered out

We stopped to play on the beach and swim for a bit

Time to cruise again

Sander taking a snooze

Hanna getting sleepy too.

Amy & Kate

Nana & Adam

Congratulations Papa!

Kate had to leave the next morning, but we are so happy her work brought her back this way!

Cabin Time

Andy, Margo, and Cameron planned a fun day at the cabin with friends while they were here from NYC. Not only did the kids have an absolute blast spending a day on the water, but the adults had a great time catch up too. Cabins are so relaxing and such a part of MN summers. Thanks for being such wonderful hosts:) The highlight for Adam was riding in the speedboat and watching John barefoot ski and driving the pontoon all by himself. 

 

Adam and John fishing off the dock

Adam drove us around the lake with instruction from Andy.

The boys spent hours playing in this sand

Adam, Cameron, Evan, and Kenna cruising on the pontoon