up north water moments

 Once again daddy took on the role of spotter. 

But this time it wasn't to spot me skiing...

rather we hooked up this $7.00 garage sale find behind the resort motor boat (kept it much less intimidating) 

 and CHARLEY hopped on with a little patient prompting from Mr. Paul. 

And down the shore line he rode. 

He worked his arm muscles and his smiling muscles. 

Everyone was so proud of him.

Way to go Charley!

And then Grandpa was feeling daring...

And he too hopped on!  

And laughed!

And then there were games of 500 going on...kind of intense.  

My sister and I played hard...but when I was in the water I couldn't take pictures.  

So I will have to see if my mom's camera or my sisters have any fun ones showing my fierce moves. 

Love these shots!  

Just like most lakes in these parts...we have witnessed many friends and family get the "duck poop itch" from this lake and it was up there...rumor had it.  But this year we invested in some serious goop that we applied to the kids.  I just applied sunscreen.  And no one got any.  Yipee! 

Syd's boat ride

up north moments

I stood on the shore.

And I watched my boys motor off.

And I sighed with happiness and a sense of peace.

Life is good.

boys will be boys

A few years ago, the boys were too little, but I was up north on my own with Charley and Henry.  Back when we had two Ed only came for a few days. 

And it rained and we went into town for an adventure. 

We came across a souvenir shop that had a back room with a wall of toy guns and gadgets. 

Toys you don't find in our neck of the woods back home.  

We have aisles with nerf type guns but Target doesn't have the realistic cowboy shooters.

Charley's eyes lit up and a tradition began.

In our world, especially lately, there are such major tragedies happening with guns and as a mama who before having children said, "My kids won't play with guns."  My heart often hurts seeing my boys turn sticks and tinker toys into guns.  But for some natural reason boys seem to be drawn to the idea of shooters.  And I wrestle with taking them away and banning them from the house...but their play is not that violent.  And in my eyes it kinda is just a boys will be boys thing at this stage of the game. 

They don't play violent video games and they aren't 12 running around acting out violent acts.  

They are playing Star Wars and Cowboys etc.

And we are always right there throwing our two cents into their play so they understand what they are saying and doing.

So we once again traipsed into town and visited the back room. 

And then my sister's mother in law sent along a bag of nerf guns and empty water bottles to shoot at.  

And so yesterday afternoon, while the rain paused, the boys had a hay day with "shooters."

Boys will be boys.

And my sister and I will continue to cringe and carry the fear on our shoulders

 that we are screwing up.

more vacation moments

Peaceful morning gifts.

Early risers.

Blessed moments of attention.

Lucky catches (Bass) off the dock.

Fierce moves by mama.

pinata fun.

North.

We are on vacation...that means when we eat out we are sitting at long tables with 15 fun people, waiting 2 hours for our food, but enjoying every second...minus the moments when the kiddos whine. 

The internet is spotty around these parts and yesterday I didn't have my phone with me for most of the day.   And it kind of felt liberating.  But I was soaking up moments like these...

I ran yesterday morning with my sister and Ed.  I think Ed wanted to make sure we survived...he hasn't run in years...he kept up most of the way :)  He ran right behind us with his shades on...I felt like a rock star with a body guard following behind.  

I ran this morning with just my sister.  I have never exercised up here.  And it really is a nice way to start the day....that and sitting at a picnic table, lakeside, blogging.  Bliss.

Syd napped like a rockstar yesterday morning but not so much in the afternoon.

The heat was incredible the first night and I seriously, wanted to go home before we even started our day yesterday.  But last night -- so much better..

We are enjoying friends and a cooler day today....maybe.  

Life is good.  

Will try and post again this week...but if not...well...we're on vacation, and anything goes. 

Old fashioned fun...

Thanks mom for taking my camera and snapping a pictures for me.

My week up north with the boys is filled with family and friends and I usually don't leave the cottage grounds unless it is when all 25 of us go out for dinner.  But this year, because of some rain, we left the cottage and went into town for an outing one morning.  We hit up the candy shop and then we found this little Soda Shop to have lunch.  It was old fashioned.  It was perfect.  It was one of those outings where I sat back as a mother and thought....."Golly Gee,  my boys are behaving wonderfully, they shared a grilled cheese plate, they are sipping their water contently, I am enjoying my old-fashioned root beer, let's get them each a clown
sundae!"

100s of soda pops to choose from!