Day 1 delivered!

So I thought I would be non-existent on here for a while.  I changed my mind.  Chad got up early this morning to go walleye fishing with friends, and told me how beautiful it was out.  I decided to get up and enjoy the calm, quiet, beautiful morning myself.  The kids were still in bed, so I brewed myself a pot of coffee, and parked myself on the front patio.  I plugged in my camera and oooohhhed and aaawwwwwed over my pictures from the past couple of days.  I love these memories, and I love that I have it documented.  I'm happy that one day the kids and I will be able to look back at all of our fun memories.

We are staying at the cabin for 10 days, so we needed lots, and lots of luggage.  It didn't even come close to fitting in our vehicle, so we also needed the trailer.  I spent a good 3 days doing laundry, packing, shopping, packing, cooking, and more packing.  We were finally ready to go, and we were excited!

We enjoyed one quiet evening with just the 4 of us before all of the fun and excitement begins.  It was kind of the 'calm before the storm'!

We had a campfire, and Eli was in all his glory!  He even talked Daddy into making some home-made popcorn!

We got up the next morning, and the day was beautiful and perfect in every way.  

We put on our suits.  Packed up a cooler.  Threw the grill on the pontoon.  And spent a good part of the day out on the water.

Our first day was exactly what we were hoping for.  Today is starting out just right, also. 

Here's to a wonderful week of fun vacation memories!

We're outta here.....!

You won't be hearing from me for a little while.  We are heading out for our annual week (and then some) at the cabin to celebrate the 4th of July.  We will be enjoying each other, family, friends, sun, sand, and the lake.  I know we will return refreshed, and probably exhausted.  And, hopefully with a 1st place award for our annual parade float!  We have something pretty special up our sleeves!!  Can't wait to share all of the pictures with you!!!

I will be spending the next few days relaxing right here:

Wishing everyone a happy and safe 4th of July!!!!

visit to the farm.

My kids are no strangers to the farm.  They have grown up enjoying, playing, and most recently, helping on farms since they were born.  Whether it's Papa's, Grandpa-Great's, Uncle's, or friends, they are very familiar to spending time there.

One thing they truly LOVE, though, is when they get to bring their friends there, and share with them all of their knowledge on the animals and equipment.  They are in their element, and they joy is evident from their smiling faces.

Our friends from our cabin stopped over last week and picked us up for a quick visit to Papa's farm to take in all the sights.

Eli and Blackie are great friends at the farm.

He always needs to have a piece of 'farmer grass' hanging from his mouth- just like Papa!

My little no-fear-having girl think the higher, the better!

Love these 'cheesy' smiles!

Nadia and Noah enjoyed all the sights and animals, and Nadia and Blackie became quick friends!

Have you ever seen a tree like this!?!?  They are growing together!

 

I'm so glad my kids have the opportunities for these experiences just like I did when I was little.  Some of my greatest memories from childhood are from spending so much time at my Grandpa's farm, (Eli and Adi still get to share those same experiences at Grandpa-Great's farm quite regularly).  I'm so glad we have these wonderful opportunities right down the road in all directions.  Hopefully these memories will stay with them forever!

Perfect from start to finish.

Yesterday was one of those days that played out exactly like summer vacation should.  We woke up with no plans for the day.  I was tired of laundry and cleaning, and the sun was shining.  I called up my friend, and asked what her plans were.  Same as mine- nothing on the agenda.  We threw together some picnic lunches, packed up some pails, nets, and stale bread, and we were on the road.

First stop- the elementary school playground.  Not a playground that my kids have been to yet, so this meant it was AWESOME!!!  They ran and played, and smiled the entire time.  We spent about an hour there, and jumped back in the car.

 Next stop- Maple Island Park.  The kids grabbed their nets and buckets, and found all kinds of little creatures to catch.  Adi was in heaven.  She had a tadpole or frog in her hand the entire time we were there.  The sun was shining, and there were no bugs.  It was perfect!

My friend was thinking, and had grabbed some stale bread to feed the ducks with.  The kids thought this was pretty neat.  Until the ducks got full, and Adi decided to eat the stale bread.  Oh, well.

After that we went to the library to check out books and watch a little show.  Nap time was much appreciated after a day like today.  We packed all kinds of fun into a day that started out as nothing!  I love those kind!!!

And, after nap time, I had 2 great helpers that helped give my car a much-needed scrub down!!!  

Fun AND Productive day?!  I LOVE these kind!!!