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. 

Easter recap

Instead of blabbering on about how wonderful our Easter weekend was...I am going to challenge myself to leave you with just some of the pictures I captured.   And of course I know I won't be able to leave you completely without some of my ramblings.  Enjoy!

Sydney hadn't been back to Grandma Charlie and Grandpa Ed's since Christmas so she had a lot of exploring to do.  She took off and enjoyed all the dogs that were in the house all weekend. 

When daddy arrived the hoop was lowered and Grandma showed everyone her smooth moves!

I loved that we had time for shooting hoops.

Many of our holidays are so packed with celebration or travel and this Easter we had moments for this.

And this.

Walks where Sydney was determined to keep up.

Lake Superior always peeking in on us in the background.

If you have a new walker that isn't quite ready to go it alone...

tennis courts are great places to let them go with their walker. 

Miss Sydney lapped it and didn't want to leave.

It was a little chillier up north this weekend so we had to balance the fresh air with some inside relaxing.  Henry asked for Grandma's laptop and went to town at whatever .com he could think up. 

Grandpa was there-- busy with packaging up his goodies from hunting season.

And then Aunt Sara stopped in and we got our Easter on!

The boys pretty much did the egg dying thing all on their own. 

Kinda cool to sit back and watch them go.

We kept it simple, no big crazy Pinterest crafting with the egg deal this year. 

Aunt Sara did demo how to tye dye the egg.

Simple meant a relaxed egg dying experience for all.

And the next morning they hunted and found their basket goods.

This year the Easter bunny tested the limits and brought suction cup bow and arrows and cap guns...(the wrong caps though.) 

New sunglasses are always a great basket find.

And Miss Sydney got a few little things to shake and nibble up.

oh!  Can't forget this Easter basket find.

Balloon boats.  As you can see from the picture you blow them up and then supposedly, let them go in the water...we'll have to wait and see later in the spring and summer season.

When all was said and done,

it was the perfect mix of holiday and just plain good old Grandma Charlie time.

Hanging in the woods or in the warm front room.

Sleeping hard at night from all the Northwoods air.

A game of canasta, a late night slice of cherry cream cheese pie, and  a couple extra cups of coffee all fed the soul until next time we visit.

I hope your Easter holiday was filled with moments as sugary and wonderful, as the red jelly beans that found their way into my mouth, finally, on Saturday evening.