The Accidental Boilermaker

Wednesday morning everyone slept in a little bit.  After breakfast we climbed the dunes. Of course the best part of climbing the dunes is running down them. After lunch Katherine came to hang out and she brought gifts from San Francisco.   Then it was back to the beach. The rest of the day was spent at the campsite reading books, playing games, and watching the campfire. Thursday morning was pack up day.  We had one last campfire and roasted hot dogs for lunch.   On our way home we stopped for coffee and blueberries in Sawyer.  Jameson was so tired; he fell asleep on the way to the coffee shop and didn't wake up.  He slept the entire drive home.

We got back from camping at Warren Dunes on Thursday.  The lake was a little cold, but the weather was perfect.  Monday was a red flag day, so we just watched the big waves from the beach. My dad camped with us while my mom and Mimi stayed in a hotel right down the road from the state park. Tuesday morning we went for a hike. And found the lake. In the afternoon we went swimming and played on the beach. After swimming it was time for ice cream. Dinner was hot dogs and then campfire popcorn for dessert. Our final activity of the day was watching the sunset. A very sleepy Jameson couldn't stay awake on the drive back to the campsite.

On Monday we watched the girls. Harper had really wanted to come over and play in the sprinkler, so that's what we did.  The dollar water squirters from Wal-mart were a big hit too. Violet was very content to sit and watch the big kids play.  Her favorite word is no unless I offer her food, then she says yes. Finally a chance to play in the water without the big kids getting in the way. Quiet time.  Puzzles for Jameson and Willow. Legos for Harper and Evelyn. I thought I'd throw this picture in for fun; taken almost 2.5 years ago.  I made the kids sit in the same order.

On Sunday Nate and I celebrated our 12 year anniversary.  My Mimi actually came to town on Saturday to bring us a recliner so we got to spend the weekend with her too.  The kids got the sprinkler out on Saturday and then we met up with some bike team friends for cider. On Sunday we went to church, had lunch, and then Mimi needed to leave. Later in the afternoon we went downtown for the open streets festival combined with art in the park and the chalk walk as part of the Three Rivers Festival.  The city shut down several blocks of one street so you walk, bike, or scooter down the road.   Evelyn and Jameson even got to try out some musical instruments. Here's some of our favorite chalk art. 12 years together.

We spent the weekend up at the cottage.  The weather was perfect for fishing, boating, and swimming.  Evelyn and Jameson went out fishing several different times.  Evelyn caught 3 fish total and Jameson caught one. The kids loved the kayaks.  On Evelyn had a little trouble on her first try and Nate had to tow her, but by her second try she had figured it out. The paddle boat was a lot of fun too.  Pat and I took Evelyn out once and then Paul took them both out while I took a solo kayak trip around the lake. Digging in the sand, jumping off the dock, and playing with the water squirters were other favorite activities.  We also swam at the sand bar twice.  Overall it was a really fun weekend. When we got home, Evelyn opened her present from Aunt Amanda - a new quilt!  She was very excited.