Memorial Day Weekend 2014

On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd have to rate this past weekend a 20.  It couldn't have been more perfect.  There were multiple times throughout the weekend that I would stop and think to myself what a great time we were all having.  Chad, myself, and all the kids.  Everyone was content and happy, enjoying the weather, friends, and having tons of fun!

Ruby loves to be at the cabin.  Other than bedtime and naptime, she's outside.

Ruby's friend, Rylee, was at the cabin this weekend.  It was fun to see the two of them interact.  They will have lots of fun growing up at the cabin together!

There were friends all around.  The big kids ran from sun-up until well after sun-down.  They spent hours playing ball, on the rope swing, on the swing set, in the paddle boat, biking, and fishing.  There were also pontoon rides, and an ice cream run.  Not to mention the hours upon hours of night games.  Saturday night we had to send the kids to bed well past midnight, because us adults were ready to call it a night!

Playing ring-toss with Reagan.

They are always fishing....and tons of fish were biting this weekend!

Cousin, Sam, caught a walleye right off the dock!

Picnics with friends by the lake.  A crowd favorite- Mac 'n Cheese.  This is a special treat we save for the cabin:)

We have such a good time when we are all together.  Many laughs going around.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous this weekend.  We could not have wished for better.  Hot, sunny, and calm.  Every. single. day.  There was no sleeping in....The mornings were so beautiful we jumped up early just to soak it all in.

Early morning stories.  I remember when Eliott used to read this story to us....now she can do it too!

Such a happy baby....with a messy face:)

This little guy spent lots of time fishing- off the dock, in the paddle boat, and on the boat with Daddy.  He's turning into quite the little fisherman!

Auntie Lori and AJ stopped over for a quick visit and he fed the little one some snacks.

One of his many fish!  A nice big northeren!

This little girl put in many hours and many miles this weekend.  It's no wonder they slept like rocks when they finally went down!

I love this time together with the littles.  This time at the lake will forever be cherished.

Rickster 1 sells ice cream at the local shop, so he loaded the kids up and treated them all to ice cream on Sunday morning.  It was a nice, cool little treat when the temp was creeping near 80!

Eliott and his favorite little puppy, Favre!

We all thought it was crazy when the kids jumped in the water right away on Friday night.  By Saturday, they spent most of the day either in the water, or squirting water at one another.  It was so warm and toasty that you either needed shade or water to cool off.  We are used to this weather for the 4th of July, but it is so welcome on Memorial Day weekend, also!

Ruby hung out in her stroller just taking it all in.  There was so much action going on she loved it!

We had the tunes playing most every day while we spent our days outside.  I went around the corner of the cabin and witnessed an awesome dance party happening on the picnic table!  A little "I Gotta Feeling" was an appropriate song for them to dance to- it was a great night!

She is quite the little dancer...Spinning right on top of the table!

So Silly!

And this picture about sums up the entire weekend.  It was so much fun we could hardly stand it.  From Friday afternoon when we arrived right through when we packed up on Monday to head home.  Wishing and hoping for many more of these wonderful weekends with great memories.  Here's to an awesome summer!

Warmer weather....

If you are from MN you will understand how beyond excited we were today to watch the temperature creep into the 70's....and we are even more excited to look ahead at the forecast and notice that as far out as we can see the temps will be hovering right about there.  This has to have been one of the longest, coldest winters that I can remember.  We were way beyond due for some sunshine and heat!

She was laughing so hard it looks like she's crying.  She was so excited with every push!

And Big Sister was having just as much fun pushing!

I'm able to see and hear the swingset from the kitchen.  I love looking out and seeing them playing together.

'Tis the season for daily baths....They come in filthy every night!

Awe- I love this.

Ruby wants you all to know that she is 'So Big'!

Looking forward to racking up many more hours in the sandbox and on the swings this summer.  And looking ahead to a beautiful forecast for Memorial Weekend!

I'm back at it.....

Wow.....I feel like I've skidded through another school year, just barely hanging on.  Being a full-time working Mommy with 3 little ones is no easy feat.  But, alas, only 2 weeks left and summer vacation will begin!!  As much as I have missed blogging, it just wasn't always possible.  I'm excited to be back at it, though, and I am putting much effort forth in keeping up with it.  I've missed so many exciting events and milestones with the kids while I've been absent on my blog.  My hope is that I will be able to go back and fill in some of what I've missed.  We purchased a new MacBook Pro, and the majority of the reason for the purchase is to get my photos in order and organized.  That major task is on my summer to-do list, and I'm pretty excited about it, actually!

Ever since the darn iphone came about, and instagram came about, my poor Canon has been pushed to the side.  I pulled it out this weekend, and made sure to use it!  I even went so far as to change out the lens!!!!  That hasn't happened in probably 2 years!  I am making more of an effort to use my good camera again like I used to.  No more getting lazy and only counting on the phone!

We headed up to the cabin on Friday after Eliott's Kindergarten Program at school (so cute!).  It's what our family looks forward to all year.  The cabin.  The Friends.  The memories.  The fun.  The cabin is our happy place. 

Chad and I had to run to a wedding last night.  We just went for a few hours.  We wanted to be at the cabin, and couldn't wait to hurry on back there.  The nice part about sharing it with his parents is that we were just able to leave the kiddos behind, and they were able to continue on with their fun.  We made it back in time to sit around the campfire with everyone, and then called it a night.  We took the family to church this morning, and spent the day playing, biking, fishing, and packing up.  Until next Friday when we do it all over again!

I love these beautiful bouquets they are so proud to give me!

Walking down the road with her friend, Delilah.  They were trying to catch birds with their butterfly nets.

Nice Big Brother giving rides.

Fun game of Yard Darts.

She is so lovely.  Everything about her.

They love each other.  But sometimes need to be reminded of that!

Ruby Lauren....almost 11 months.  What?? When?? How did that happen so fast?!?!

My pudgy, happy girl.

The Bigs just cannot get enough of her!  And she of them!

Hours upon hours are spent on this rope swing.

And he is the little fisherman.  He was a bit disappointed that he only had 2 nibbles this weekend.  But, determined to catch one next weekend.  I bet he will!

Love the crinkle nose, and the tiny teeth!

Say hello and let me know if you are still out there in blog land....I've been trying to keep up with your blogs here and there, but now that we are all set up with the new computer I'm anxious to catch up with everyone!  

Here's to a great week...Happy Monday!