Spring Break

{Flying kites}




{Even Nora did some climbing}


{New raincoats from the Easter Bunny}


{On and Easter Egg hunt at Grandma's put together by auntie Katie}

We did nothing spectacular for spring break this year, and yet it was such a great week.  There were many playdates with friends and a few sleepovers.  There was some swimming and "rock climbing".  There were a few really nice days to just be outside.  And of course there was Easter.  Given what we have coming up in the next couple weeks (most notably me starting classes and two internships) I think it was just what we needed.

Winterfest

{The pool all to ourselves}


{Grace teaching Nora how to swim}


{Katie and Kris shoveled an ice rink in front of their cabin}


{My little skater}


{A wild game of fox and goose}


{Ice fishing}


{The puzzlers}


{Bubble wigs and beards}


{Their "room"}

This year for Christmas Katie and Kris gave us a weekend "Winterfest" up north.  We stayed in a cozy hotel with a separate room with bunk-beds for the kids (they loved this part). We spent a lot of time in the pool in the mornings and evenings.  On Saturday we spent most of the day at their cabin, having a bonfire, skating, playing games and of course eating.  My favorite part was just being able to spend some relaxing time with my family.  Such a great weekend!

Goodbye North Shore

On our last day, we woke up and ate breakfast on our back "patio" over looking the lake.  We got going fairly quickly and stopped in Duluth for one more meal at my favorite restaurant (which I needed after the last few days of eating. Also what is with the kids menus everywhere??  Can we mix in a fruit or vegtable to our fried food choices at least?!)

On our way home Ryan and I talked about what how amazing it is up there and wondered why we don't visit more often.  We tentatively planned to make it an annual vacation, exploring new areas each year.  I like this plan.

As for the highlights, I think Ryan and I would say we liked Beaver Bay the best.  It was so beautiful and we had the it all to ourselves.  Although for me the Lighthouse was a close second.  I know I visited Split Rock as a child but I do not remember it making such an impression on me.  I loved the stories and the history of it.  I think Grace felt the same.  Although she also, along with Jackson and Nora felt the the pool was probably the best part.

Day 3: Split Rock Light House

{Taking a tour of the original house one of the lighthouse keepers lived in}










{Inside the lighthouse with the "lighthouse keeper"}


{The view from the beach}






{We made sure to come back in time to get a lot of swim time in for our last night.  We even had pizza by the pool.}

Day 2, Part 2: Gooseberry Falls

{Venturing across the river}





{They made it!}


{Hiking to Agate Beach from Gooseberry Falls}




{Agate Beach}










{Finding agates}


{Building rock cairns}






{Enjoying some ice cream after our long day of hiking}

Day 2, Part 1: Beaver Bay

Day 2 began with this...

{our room had a patio that overlooked the lake so we could sit outside and eat our breakfast}

and of course this...


Then it was off to Beaver Bay



{Beautiful waterfalls and we were the only people around}




















{We have been learning about beavers over the past month and suddenly on our hike we happened upon some beaver signs...}


{and then a beaver lodge!}


{Maybe we shouldn't have been so surprised given we were in Beaver Bay}





Then it was on to Gooseberry Falls, I'll do that post tomorrow.