Late Summer Fun on Lake Minnetonka

We had a great time visiting Charles and Beth on Lake Minnetonka yesterday.  I wish I would have brought my camera, but my phone had to do.  The boys rode the jet ski, paddled the kayak and paddleboard, rode in the mule, swam in the lake, and took a boat ride to dinner.  The weather couldn't be beat - it was perfect!!

Trying out the jet ski:

Ryan jumping off the end of the dock:

Carter finally braved the water and took a swim:

Ryan trying out the paddleboard:

Kyle on the jet ski:

Ryan in the kayak:

He has no fear - he jumped without fear onto the paddleboard and the kayak.  New things never phase him.  He just has an attitude that he can do it, and you know what?  He can!

Carter jumping off the dock in his "diaper":

Ryan and Kyle paddleboarding.  Kyle was thrilled to take Ryan with him:

The boys on the front of the boat:

Beth and I enjoying the boat ride to dinner:

Kyle drove both ways to dinner, he did a great job:

This picture doesn't do the view justice.  The lake was beautiful leaving dinner.  Plus, we enjoyed a fireworks show on the way back to Charles and Beth's!  Perfect end to the evening!

Fall Sports

Fall sports are in full swing in our house.  Kyle is playing soccer for Legacy, Ryan is playing football for the Blaine Bengals, and Carter is playing baseball for the Express.  I love watching them play their sports - they all have a passion for their chosen sports.

Here are a few pictures of Carter's and Ryan's games this week:

Carter (#7) coming home:

Playing short stop:

Batting:

Sliding into home - he was safe!

One of his favorite positions - catching:

Ryan (#14) as captain of the Blaine Bengals:

First Day of School

I have 2nd, 4th, and 10th graders this year - how is that even possible?  Every year I am amazed at how quickly time flies.  Carter wanted summer to go on forever, Ryan was excited to see his friends again, and Kyle would do anything in his power to get out of going to school.  So there you have it...the Mackey boys on their first day of school! :)

Caeden and Carter at A+ 

Ryan at his A+ table.  His friends were still in the gym - they were all coming out when I left:

Carter at the 2nd grade table:

Adventures Plus before school program.  The boys attend every Monday through Wednesday.  They love all the different activities - gym, computer, media, free time, etc.  I'm thankful for such a great program at a convenient site - their school cafeteria!  They walk to their classrooms at 9:00 to start their school day.

They were all smiles when they got off the bus after school - a good day was had by all! :)

Labor Day Weekend

We had another fun Labor Day weekend.  It is always bittersweet, because we love our time up north and want to enjoy every minute, but we know that just around the corner is school.  How did our summer go by so quickly once again? 

Carter in Bill's tractor:

Ryan and Carter:

Kyle with the tractor he drove through the parade:

Bill showing Kyle and Dad his tractor:

If you don't want to drive your little brother through the parade, you might have an expression like this:

Ryan getting his coveted "sword" from the blacksmith shop - a flattened nail.  It's an annual tradition, I don't think he's missed a year!

Kyle was all smiles once he ditched his brothers.  :)

Grandpa and Carter coming in the Case:

They had trouble with their tractor and were being pulled by Joe France.

Mom and I and the little boys attended the rodeo on Saturday night.  We took photos of the arena because it was sooo muddy!

Grandpa and Kyle playing a late night game of cribbage:

This is about all they let me drive - Carter's 90.  :)

Our fleet has grown over the years!

My boys on their Grizzlys:

Jump, jump, jump:

And then jump some more:

Until you just can't jump anymore:

There was a tree frog on Mom's bee catcher:

For some reason, he didn't seem to appreciate me taking so many pictures of him:

The sky was amazing before the storm last night.  The pictures just don't do it justice!

A night jump with Grandpa: