Brother Pals

While growing up, my siblings were my best friends. My parents raised us in an environment where "family togetherness", was an important family value we practiced!  This photo of my boys makes me smile, because I can see a brotherly bond and friendship already forming! 

Up North we shall go!

 Quinn's first fish.

 Grandpa J and Quinn.

 Laurie, Gretchen and Jack.

 Our family of four -- Jack (6 months) and Quinn (2 1/2 years).

 Dad and his son.  ~~ 7/14/2012

 A boy and his dog.

 Sink baths are the best!  Effective at cleaning the boys..and so simple!

I may have been born and raised in Wisconsin, but I'm sure feeling more and more "Minnesotan" as the years go by...  For instance, going "Up North," to the cabin!  Now let me tell you, I think it's a right of passage for Minnesotans to claim that they're "going up north," for the weekend!  But I now realize why every one's hooked on this past time.  It's both relaxing and beautiful at Jan and Stan's cabin.  There is also plenty to do.  Last weekend our family kept busy, but some of our highlights at the cabin included:

Quinn catching his very first fish! (A sunny.)

A slow boat ride (pontoon) and a fast boat ride (speed boat), per Quinn 'speak'.

A paddle boat and kayak ride for Steve and I, as Tuck tried his best to swim over to us.

Family movie nights were also a favorite activity for Quinn, while I enjoyed playing my favorite card game, Kings in a Corner (Super Easy!)

All in all, it was a wonderful way to spend time together as a family.  I know we made great memories this weekend, and we will continue to as the years go on!

Thanks for having us up, Jan and Stan!

Jack is six months old - 7/11/2012

We now have a big six month old!  We were having a hard time getting Jack to smile during his' six month photo shoot, so Quinn and I did a little song and dance number to help him crack a smile!  

Chutes and Ladders Park

 Time for Quinn to cool off...

 Much better. So refreshing.

 And it taste good, too.

Since the weather finally cooled down a little this past weekend, we thought it would be a great time to visit the Chutes and Ladders Park.  Although it was cooler than it has been, it was still plenty hot, and a perfect opportunity for Quinn to run through the sprinklers!! 

Visit to Wisconsin

 Quinn sandwhich!

 6/30/2012

 Dad, Mom, Aunt Bev, Quinn, Grandpa, Grandma, Jack, Gretchen and Pete

~~ June 30, 2012 ~~

 Trying to find a screw that fell off the hitch!

Last weekend we took a five hour drive to rural Wisconsin to see my grandparents.  We had an absolute blast, and the drive both there and back went surprisingly well.  The first order of business once we arrived and after we said our 'hello's' was to set up Quinn's kiddy pool and throw some swim suits and sunblock on!  Along with my grandparents, there was also my parents, Aunt Bev, Katie, Tom and Pete. 

After plenty of pool fun, we headed in for a quick supper, so that we would still have time for a family canoe trip on the little river that runs through my grandparent's town, and is only about a one minute walk from their house.  I always love visiting my grandparents, and it always feels like I'm stepping back into an easier , perhaps, slower pace of life when I'm there.  Could it be because if you blink you miss driving through the town?  Or maybe because the only business's on 'Main' Street is the Post Office, tiny library and the Golden Nugget Bar (Shown in the background of the last picture above).  Or maybe it's because they have lived in the same house for all my almost thirty years. (They've lived in this house for 60 years -- raised their four children there.)  Whatever the reason, being back at Grandma and Grandpa's sure brings back a lot of memories!  We were actually  in town to celebrate my other grandparent's 60th Wedding Anniversary, that was held the next day.  Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures, fortunately, it was because I was busy catching up with my many Aunts, Uncles, cousins and second cousins!