Monday, August 8, 2011

Road Trip

Evan and I took a road trip to Milwaukee this past weekend to visit my previous Target boss, Pat, and his wife Gail.  We had perfect weather on our trip and it was great to see Pat again.  We couldn't have asked for a more perfect weekend!

The view from the main patio in back of the house:

There is a huge playset in the middle of the backyard!

Evan and Gail eating appetizers on the patio:

The landscaping was amazing - the retaining walls, perennials, etc.

The view looking over the top of the hill (closest to the patio):

View by the edge of the first level, looking back at the house:

Heading down to the second level of landscaping - the steps were removed last year and it was sodded:

The second level:

The next (third) level has a bonfire pit - you can hear the waves crashing - amazing place to sit and relax!

This bunny was on the third level the entire time we were there!

View of the lake from the third level: 

Finally - down on the beach!  Looking up towards the house - you can't even see it through all the trees!

View down the shoreline:

Gorgeous greenery on the third level, heading back up!

Teddy, Pat's 11 year old golden retreiver, waiting for me to come back up!

Inside, this is taken from the bridge between the bedrooms upstairs (there are 4 bedrooms on the upper level, 6 total).  There are three wood burning fireplaces on the main level - I can just picture myself curled up on the couch with a good book on a snowy winter day!

This is also taken from the bridge.  Why can I envision my boys trying to get on the landing above the door?

Formal living room, just inside the main entrance:

One of three formal dining rooms:

There is an office to the left, this is a butler pantry (I think that is what it is called?), and a second formal dining room to the right:
Kitchen:

(Casual?) living room:

Living room and the third dining room beyond the living room:

I didn't take any photos on the top level or the basement level - bummer!  You'll have to trust me that it was beautiful! :)

Pat and Teddy - he's holding Teddy back because Teddy wanted to follow us all the way down to the lake.  The last set of steps is pretty steep and difficult for Teddy to manuever.
Seagulls taking in the sunshine: 


Evan on the beach:


Ahhhh, can you almost hear the waves crashing?  Sigh.... What a GREAT trip!

Boat Cruise

We had a boat cruise for work last Wednesday at Knotty Oar Marine on Prior Lake.  This was the second year Laura and I have planned the boat cruise for my leader's management team.  There were 30 of us on the boat and we couldn't have ordered better weather - mid 80s and sunshine with low humidity!  :)

Setting up the food in the back of the boat:

My jobshare partner, Laura:

Lots of veggies and dip, meats and cheeses, homemade brownies, and chips and dips, pretzels, snack mixes - yum!!!

Taking off!

Night to Unite

We celebrated Night to Unite at Todd and Dana's down the street last Tuesday night.  Dana and I have planned the past two parties.  We estimate we had about 30 families there, out of 94, so not too bad.  We were hoping for more, but it was great to meet some of our new neighbors.  The fire department stopped early, and the kids were able to tour their truck and see their 100 foot ladder boom! 





Sunday, July 31, 2011

More Grindstone Fun

We spent a lot of time on Grindstone again this weekend.  We talked on our way home today and we have likely spent more time on our boat in the past two weeks than we have in the past two summers combined.  We are loving life by getting a little R&R on the lake.  The kids do, too.  I would love, love, love to have a cabin on Grindstone.  Maybe when we find that money tree in the backyard! :)

Seriously...

how many Grandmas rock

the slolom ski

like Sue?  Awesome!!!!

Carter taking a break on the back of the boat:

Before swimming to Dad in the drop off:

Ryan jumping in:

Carter's turn:

I'll give you two guesses as to what happened here (look at Carter's arms):

John couldn't be outdone by his wife.  His turn to rock

the

slalom

ski.  Impressive!

Cousin Sophie's turn to try skiing.  Unfortunately, she didn't make it up:

You see as much of this end of Ryan at the lake...

as you do this end!  It's too bad our kids don't like water!

Sophie diving off our boat: