Grandma Elsye turns 102!

We celebrated Grandma Elsye's 102nd birthday with her on Saturday.  Mollie had a small party at her lake place.  It was a beautiful day, but a little too cool and windy to swim.  The boys played on the dock, in the sand, and had a boat ride to occupy their time.  And how can we forget the delicious cake, and cupcakes that Mollie bought for our kids?  YUM! :)

102 years young!

Sitting content by the lake:

Evan and his boys with Grandma Elsye:

Boys on the dock bench:

Taking a boat ride around the lake:

Everyone gives Great Grandma Elsye hugs before we leave, Carter first:

Ryan gave her a hug, too, but I missed it - he was too quick!  Imagine that! :)

Kyle's turn:

Before we left, we told her we'd be back to celebrate her 103rd birthday with her! :)

Staycation

We spent the past several days at Mom and Dad's house on a staycation.  It was a busy week, especially given Ryan was at the walk-in doctor on Wednesday morning for a double ear infection - ouch!!!!  He did well, given he was truly miserable.  Poor kiddo.  Just a glimpse of our week in review:

We learned how to drive the 660:

We sat in the boat in the shed, studying fishing lures:

We attempted to waterski, despite the above-mentioned double ear infection and bad cold:

 We sat on the dock, dipped our feet in the cool water, and enjoyed the view on Grindstone:

We jumped off the boat in the middle of the lake:

We learned how to drive the boat:

We sat in a large tube and relaxed: 

 We slow tubed across the lake:

 We kicked it up a notch and fast tubed as well:

 We bathed with lots of bubbles in Grandma's tub:

We made silly faces:

We watched the deer, enjoying a downed apple tree limb:

And we also took in the hummingbirds,

hundreds and hundreds of them.

If only I could bottle up the peace and calm I feel on vacation and open it up when I am back in the hustle and bustle of reality!  Staycation, I miss you already!!!!

Coon Lake

After Bunker Beach, we joined our neighbors at Coon Lake.  The boys loved boating, jumping and swimming off the boat, and watching Aaron wakeboard.  He's given me the itch to get a wakeboard and give it a try.  He makes it look pretty easy - I have a feeling I'd find otherwise when I try it out! :)

Bunker Beach

The boys and I took on Bunker Beach today for a couple of hours.  It was a little cooler - high 70s or maybe 80.  It didn't stop the boys from having a blast in the water.  I tried the water, but it was a little too cool for me, especially when the cloudcover came!

The minute the safety breaks were over, Ryan bolted into the water, to the deepest part of the wave pool!

Even Carter is getting more and more brave in the wave pool!

Ryan in more shallow water, waiting for the wave to rush him!

Ryan under the dump bucket:

Carter playing in the adventure pool:

He is content to play in there all day!

Ryan: "Can I do just one more water slide, Mom?"

Lazy Summer Mornings

This is one of the things I will miss most about summer break - the lazy summer mornings where we eat breakfast at 9:30 a.m. in front of cartoons, while we are not even dressed yet.  It doesn't happen often, but I do appreciate the times we have!!!  During the school year, we have to stick to a consistent schedule.  I'm really not ready for that yet - let's enjoy the next few weeks and find that elusive Pause button! :)

Como Town

Lukas spent the day with us yesterday.  We decided to go to Como Town.  My boys were surprisingly well behaved, better than when I take them alone.  Something about adding a third child to the mix made it much easier, rather than harder!  It was about 85* and sunshine yesterday - a perfect day for Como Town!

I could only see their eyes peeking over the cars as I sat in front of the Screaming Dragon rollercoaster with Carter!

I think Lukas needs his own four wheeler! :)

The boys had a blast on the Frog Hopper!!

Next was the fireman's ride - Lukas and Carter driving the firetruck

and Ryan fighting fires on top!

They rode the Sky Glider for the first time yesterday.  You have to pedal on this ride and the faster you pedal, the faster you go.  Carter and I raced against Lukas and Ryan at least 10 times!!

Swings were next on the list - one of my personal favorites!

And last but not least, both Carter and Lukas wanted to be photographed in the fireman's boots!  :)

Air Show

We took in the air show after a late lunch on Saturday.  We arrived at the beach just in time to watch the Thunderbirds perform - it was incredible.  SO loud and SO close.  Wish I would have had my video camera!