Vacation

We were up north at Mom and Dad's last week on vacation.  The kids were up there for 10 days in a row.  Evan and I worked on Monday and Tuesday, and were up there the rest of the time.  It was a great getaway, full of rest, relaxation, and good quality family time.  It is so hard to come back and get back in the swing of things after a week of no scheduled activities!  I'm so thankful for our time up there!!!!

Grandpa and Ryan in the boat:

Carter and Kyle in the "dry zone" of the boat.  Kyle won't let anyone with a wet suit in the front where he keeps his stuff!  ;)

This loon surfaced as we were boating by.  It quickly dove again when it heard us coming!

Kyle swimming in front of Sondra's:

Carter and I scoping out picture locations:

This day will come only too soon:

Dad and Larry Helwig went flying one evening:

They were right over the deck - if you zoom in on this picture, you can see Dad waving at us.  Amazing what a zoom lens can do!!! :)

Carter checking out the logger's progress:

It was amazing to watch the jaws grab several small trees and you could hear the blade cutting them off at the base:

After it cut the trees, it piled them on the side, where the skidder picked them up and brought them up to the loading area, where they were loaded onto the logging trucks.

Ryan drives the 660 now.  How on earth did that happen?

Those long legs are going to catch up (and pass) his parents' before we know it!!!!

Evan and Ryan washing fresh potatoes from Grandpa's garden for dinner:

Ryan playing football in the front yard with Grandpa:

Grandpa snags a nice catch:

Carter and I went to the neighbor's pond:

Sandhill cranes are in Mom and Dad's yard every morning and evening:

My view from here...riding behind Ryan on the 4 wheeler:

We were following Grandpa and Carter in the woods:

Grandpa and Carter go on nature walks every morning when they wake up.  Evan joined them yesterday as they walked to church (2.25 miles):