Remembering Summer Fun

We spent 3 days in late August at Camp Miller on Sturgeon Lake. It is a YMCA run family camp and we went with our friends the Millers. The kids had a ball swimming, kayaking, learning archery, riding horses, climbing the 'tower', doing craft projects and playing games in the big field. The camp counsilors organized EVERYTHING and the best part was I didn't have to cook any meals :)

Kasey going for a trail ride

Charlotte going for the bullseye


Paul and Carson on "Socket" the one eyed horse

The girls both made it to the top of the climbing tower! (Carson and I only made it halfway)

We love Uncle Charlie

One of the best birthday presents I could have asked for was to have my brother fly to Duluth for my 40th birthday bash. The kids idolize the man....(although I know better) and they thoroughly enjoyed his quick visit. Thank you so much Uncle Charlie for taking the time to hang with our rowdy family a little bit!

wee Carson, Charlie, Charlotte, Kasey

Carson taking a fake nap with Uncle Charlie on the deck

Happy 4th of July!

We went to Norway, Michigan (In da U.P.) to celebrate the holiday with Paul's family. We packed a lot into 4 days with float construction, bonfires, stockcar races, BBQ's and a graduation party. Congratulations to Paul's cousin Jake, who graduated and will be playing football for St. Norbert this fall.

The whole family contributed to the construction of the parade float. And although the dollar store ran out of anything red white or blue, they did have some serious luau decorations. We ended up with "Aloha America"...a mishmash of an idea, but it worked. Uncle Sam and the Hula Girls

We won for 'Most Original' float

Norway puts on one of the best firework shows I've ever seen. It lasted 30 minutes and was spectacular. Thanks to Paul's cousins Frank and Renee Devine for hosting the fireworks party. About 100 of us had the best seats in town right in their front yard.

Batter Up

I'm not sure what I was expecting exactly. And while I am glad Charlotte likes T-Ball, it is a bit of a drag to watch. The rules go something like this: everyone on the team gets a chance at bat. Everyone advances one base. At the end of the batting order the other team does the same thing and the inning is over. I know they are learning the rules and rhythm of the game at this point, just saying I wish there was a little more action. (Does this make me a bad parent?) Here are some pics of Charlotte and team. (BTW, Kasey didn't want to play T-Ball this year because she said there weren't any pink bats)

2009 Eastern Little League "Pirates"

PreSchool Graduation May 2009

Wow, looks like Kasey will be going to Kindergarten in the fall. We are all so very thankful. Here are some shots from her graduation from Congdon Creek Preschool.

Singing a silly song. I think it was called " A tooty tah"

Kasey's response when asked "Are you excited to go to Kindergarten?"

Friends Grace and (boyfriend?) Will

Best friend and fellow Graduate, Ava Miller

Wedding!

Paul's brother, Rico, was married on February 28th in Norway, MI. Welcome to the family Amanda!! Let's get some cousins in the works, eh?

We all wore our fanciest duds. Did you know it is less expensive to BUY a toddler a tuxedo than to rent one?
Grandpa and the "it" crowd
Grandma and Flower Girl Charlotte

And saving the best for last...Carson was in his element dancing the night away. Chicks dig him.

I knew it!

I just knew I wouldn't post updates very often. Well, here goes...some random stuff about the kidlets recently: Carson got hungry before bedtime, so he decided to eat a whole cucumber while standing on the counter. This kid continuously cracks us up. The other morning, I woke up to howling downstairs. Thinking someone had broken into our house and was severing one of my children's legs off, I ran downstairs to find Carson under the coffee table. I asked him if he heard that noise and he said "It was the coyotes, Mom. They just left". I told him they better not come back to our house or I would have to spank the coyotes. Surprisingly we haven't seen them again.

Kasey has her own comedic moments. This is a recent pic of her posing with her 1" puppy. Why she felt the need to put the little drink umbrella in her ponytail is beyond me. Sometimes her quirkiness makes me feel like I'm living on another planet...and I fully embrace that.

Charlotte and her friend Ryan are having minnows for lunch. She has moved from not being able to touch fish to eating them raw quite quickly. Just one reason why ice fishing trips with her father should be monitored a little more closely :) (J/K Paul!)

And lastly...spending a week in Mexico with friends is the best Rx possible for the soul.

L to R are: my sister in law, Bridget, me, Paul, Dave and Julie.

Merry Christmas 2008

I suppose it appears that my posts are going in reverse chronological order. First I did New Year's photos, now I'm posting Christmas photos. Think I'll spare everyone going back any further. Do you really need to see Kasey in her construction paper turkey crown?

Charlotte and Kasey posing with their up-do's

Hair by: Amanda and Andrea, my future sisters- in-law!

We had a great holiday. My brother, Charley and his wife Trish visited us from Washington D.C. We skiied, bowled, learned how to play smear, attended some holiday bashes and were even able to take them (along with Paul's Mom and Dad, and brother Rico and fiance Amanda) to Superior for an Anchor Burger. Thanks guys for traveling to see us!

Carson's first day on skiis.

He took one run and wanted to

head to the chalet for snacks.

My brother Charley,

having a VERY MERRY

Christmas

My first blog - Happy 2009!

Paul and The Hoff...two twinkies on New Year's Eve

Joe and Heather

Hmmm...I wonder if they have read Twilight?

Just a FRIENDLY New Year's kiss, right Julie?

Thanks Dave and Julie for a fabulous New Years Eve Party. We met some new friends and ate too much as usual. The fondue was yummy and very retro, we'll have to have a 60's party this summer and try it again :)

I have a friend Heather, who is so impressive. She works full time, has two kids, a super cool husband, a beautiful home in the country, crochets, is also a photographer and has her own blog. (Check it out at http://www.weedragonflies.blogspot.com/) I don't know how she fits it all in. My new years resolution was to visit her blog regularly. As I was checking out weedragonflies, I realized that blogging would be a great way to keep in touch with my family. So I have spent the morning trying to figure this thing out. I'll work on making my blog interesting to read later! So, my hat is off to you Heather, happy new year!

Enjoy some other pics from our evening....