Crosslake

(Picture taken by Katie)








(Picture taken by Katie)



Crosslake Highlights

~ Grilling every night
~ Dancing while grilling
~ Having so many people to play with
~ Swimming- and especially (for me anyway) that evening swim with Ryan and Grace and Jackson
~ The tall pines and fresh air
~ The rocket launch (see next post)
~ Boating to the island
~ Bonfires
~ Fishing off the dock
~ Having Kirsten and her family join us this year
~ Time to read and write
~ Sunsets

Back to Grandma Sam's

We got to enjoy another weekend back at Grandma Sam and Grandpa Scott's before heading off to Crosslake for the week.  It was a nice couple days of swimming, beautiful weather, and more birthday celebrating.  The perfect way to start or vacation.

Spring Break 2014 Here We Come

Yesterday when the (3rd) April blizzard started up, I pulled up a map of the United States.  That's it, who would ever chose to live in such a ridiculous state.  NOT ME!  It is nearing the end of April and we are dealing with blizzards.  Blizzards!  Time to start interviewing far away cities to figure out where we should move.  Ryan joined in too.  We carefully weighed our options and talked about moving as though it was something we had been contemplating for years.  It was very therapeutic.

But then I started to take the search too seriously and Ryan suggested that instead of moving we might consider a vacation.  Yes, a vacation.  Every year at this time.  Starting next year.  So now I am looking for the perfect candidate for a family vacation.  Hawaii?  California?  Hmmm....

Red Wing

Last week when Grace had three days off of school we got to spend a few nights down by Red Wing where Ryan was working.  It wasn't quite a vacation for Ryan or I since, well, Ryan was working.  But we had a lot of fun anyway.  My favorite day may have been the first day when the four of us (Ryan drove separate since he needed his truck) worked together to get out the door by 10:30 and made it into Red Wing for an early lunch.  We found a cute little tea shop that we liked so much we stopped again on our way home.  I think Grace and Jackson had the most fun swimming in the pool.  We all loved our hotel which was right on Lake Pepin.  We also picked out pumpkins, ate extra treats, watched a potter throw two pots  at Red Wing pottery (they were mesmerized), made homemade bread (our room had a kitchen), and saw some beautiful sunsets.

This was the scene on the way home...

Colorado

It was a really great trip.  The kids did awesome on the plane.  I will never forget their excitment as we took off that first time (Grace actually let out a "woo-who" which made the whole plane laugh).  We got to meet and spend a lot of time with Ryan's new found relatives which was so much fun.  There were a few hikes in the mountains and some time at Ryan's aunt's beautiful home in the foothills.  There was a (short) trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, some elk sightings, a neat children's museum and of course a lot of time in the pool.  And the last night of the trip ended with a pizza/dance party complete with live music.  It was all pretty great.  Although I think little Nora was ready to be home. 

My Retreat

All I can say is the most amazing food, the kindest people, and a feeling of complete rejuvenation.  I wrote, I painted, I walked, I slept, I read, I wrote some more, and I ate (again, the most amazing food)... for two whole days.

I can't wait to go back.  I think it's going to have to be my new tradition.