Beach Season

We have officially declared August to be beach month.  And we kicked it off today by visiting my all time favorite beach on the river that we stumbled upon three years ago.  Or, Secret Beach, as we like to call it.  As always we had the place to ourselves (how can this be?).  And (as always) there was the most peaceful beach breeze.  All of which made it possible for little Nora to take a nap right there in the sand.  Which made it possible for me to go swimming with Grace and Jackson.  Every time I go here I always wonder why I don't do this everyday?  Three hours of bliss.  As always we followed it up with ice cream cones.

Home...

feels good.
It has felt especially good to get my hands back in the dirt.  To admire my broccoli and fret over my tomatoes.  To have a whole month ahead of us with nothing on the calendar but the beach.
Yes, to be home is nice.

Up North

(First day/night at Grandma Sam's, everything below is Crosslake)
































 Highlights...
~ Having one day and night just the five us at Grandma Sam's cabin
~ Paddle boating with Grace and Jackson
~ Fishing (well not me but I think it was a highlight for everyone else)
~ Swimming with Grace and Jackson (maybe my favorite thing of the week)
~ Yummy dinners (I didn't have to make)
~ Nora in the water
~ Nora teething on carrots
~ A walk with my sister
~ The performance Grace, Lauren, and Sara put on
~ Watching our kids playing with all the other kids
~ Time to knit
~ Having a glass of wine on the last night with Ryan, Katie, and Kris

Where I've Been

1. Eating tomatoes from our garden! Especially in ham, cheese, tomato and kale sandwiches on toasted bread. Yum.
2. Going to class.  I started class again last week.  I love it.  Nora doesn't.  Not sure how we're going to figure it out.
3. Pumping (for class).  This is the first time I've had to pump for Nora.  Thankfully Nora was okay with that part.  Me not so much.  I hate pumping.
4. Finding/purchasing and most importantly riding in our new van!  I really can't believe how excited I am about a van.  But I am.  I'm in love actually.  Going anywhere just got a million times easier (and safer).

His Party

This year Jackson decided he wanted to have his party at the park.  We've never done this before but it was really fun.  And thankfully it turned out to be a really nice evening.

He also requested this dessert (that we also made for Father's Day).

Strawberry Cream Dessert

In a sauce pan put strawberries (fresh or frozen) and other berries of choice with some sugar.  Let boil and cook for about 20 minutes.  Let cool.  Next mix two cups of crushed pretzels with a few tablespoons of sugar and a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of butter.  Press flat to a 9x13 pan and bake for 5 minutes at 400.  Next mix some heavy whipping cream with a little sugar.  Then add 1 8oz package of cream cheese and mix with cream.  Spread over pretzels.  Then spread the cooled jam over cream mixture.  Sprinkle top with fresh berries.  

Four

As usual I can't believe one of my children has gotten another year older.  It just all goes by so fast.  One minute I'm holding my newborn baby boy in my arms and the next minute he is a balloon chasing, backwards shirt (and underwear) wearing four year old boy.  I realized yesterday that he has actually even grown significantly taller in the last month or so.





And to start off the celebration, we had the best little party with Kirsten and Tyler yesterday.  There were balloons, a giant cinnamon roll, a few presents and some ice cream.  What could be more perfect?

Outside Art

4th of July

Highlights from our annual 4th of July Vacation to Grandma Sam's cabin...
~ Well it was hot.  Really hot.  This is only a highlight because it makes jumping in the lake all the more fun.
~ Sparklers
~ My paddle boat ride with Grace and Jackson
~ Ryan's tube ride with Grace and Jackson
~ Nora's first dip
~ Homemade ice cream
~ Relaxing in the hammock
~ Having so many people around that our kids love (and who thankfully love our kids)
~ Spending time with family

Weekend Highlights