July 14th

July 14th 2012

Another beautiful day - seriously the summer has been jammed packed with them!
The kids asked Nana to come and help them with their fort. The main fort consists of two wood piles that Daddy and Uncle Andy moved for them to build the two main walls. Inside they have added some "benches" and a fourth wall that Nana was helping stand up along the lake side. It was quite a process.

Cole and Alexis with Nana in their fort

The kids are getting more and more brave and decided to have a jumping off the tube contest. Who could do the best belly flop and things. Alexis actually did some pretty good jumps, especially for a girl who wouldn't put her head under water. Cole was a fan of the belly flops - ouch!

They are also eager for Aunt Christi to teach them more swimming. Cole has even attempted the butterfly - and Alexis is learning to float on her back!



Alexis jumping off the tube



Cole jumping off the tube - belly flop!



Aunt Christi teaching Alexis how to float on her back.

July 12 & 13

So my plan was to blog every day about our summer at the cabin - well that didn't happen. The summer is almost over and I am a good 2+ weeks behind on what we have been up to. On the plus side, I have sorted and cropped most of the pictures so now I can work on getting them uploaded.

July 12th

What a beautiful day. Swimming was on the top of the list, and Nana watched the kids turn into little fish.

A rare photo of mom, since I'm always behind the lens.

Reading my book with Ghettie and Alexis while enjoying the sunny day.

July 13th

Another wonderful sunny day. Cole and Alexis spent much of it swimming - again. And now look - they are turning into fish. Sharks to be exact.

Alexis the Shark

Cole the Shark

It's amazing how much Alexis has improved in the water. Memorial day weekend she was screaming if you weren't hanging on to her while she was in a tube, much less in the water. Now she's jumping in and swimming underwater all on her own!

July 11th - DULUTH!!

Wednesday July 11th 2012

Duluth here we come! Today we headed into Duluth to show Nana the sights. First stop was the William H. Irvin cargo ship museum. We had a wonderful tour guide who took us around the ship telling us lots of history and some great old tales from when he was a sailor out on the great lakes. The tour was about an hour long and Cole and Alexis were little angels the whole time. You might think a 5 and 7 year old would lose interest but they were very intrigued about everything on the ship.

Alexis and Cole in the wheel house

Once the tour was finished it was time to head over to Grandma’s Restaurant for some lunch. Everyone was a bit warm and hungry! When we were refueled we all walked over to see the lift bridge and walk out to the point and see the old lighthouse. We did get to see some smaller ships go under the bridge, but missed the big cargo ship leaving port when we were on our tour.

Cole and Alexis really enjoyed climbing around on all the rocks on the shoreline. They were trying to see how far they could go jumping from rock to rock and not fall into the “hot lava” below. There were plenty of opportunities for photo ops.

We then headed down the street where the kids cooled off in the fountains on the sidewalk. The thought they were lots of fun and even though they were told not to get too wet – they did.

Down the street a big further is a cool water fountain where there is a little bridge that you can walk across. They also thought this was pretty fun.

The next stop was at an outdoors store and even though we just went in to look both Cole and Alexis came out with new tennis shoes. Continuing down the sidewalk pictures were a must with the big moose chair. First with Nana and then each on their own, after all how often do you see a big moose that you can sit on?

The toy store was next, followed by the finale of the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Shop. Cole and Alexis both picked out a piece of Grasshopper Bark for the ride home. Right before we got in the car we saw all the RV’s in the parking lot of the civic center and found out there was a big dog show going on. We all peaked inside and got to meet a very nice 8 month old Briard who was going to be in the show the next day. He was super friendly and super hairy!

After we got back to the island the kids wanted to put on their suits and play with their new water guns. They filled them up and chased each other around up in the yard. That went pretty well until Cole shot Alexis and she got mad. She stormed up onto the deck of the bunkhouse turned around and yelled at him ending with “you stinky baby”. Apparently that was a really bad insult in her book! Then we headed down to the lake so they could play down there. They filled up their guns over and over in the lake shooting all the naughty aliens. After awhile daddy came down to the lake and joined in the fun. Before long Cole and daddy were in a battle.

Dinner snuck up on us like it always seems to so we headed up to eat. Then a quick game of Scrabble slam with Cole, Nana and mom and off to bed with Cole and Alexis

July 2nd - July 10th at the Cabin

Monday July 2nd 2012

This morning was a quiet one. Aunt Heather and the boys snuck out after they woke up and Cole and Alexis both slept in. Alexis until eight and Cole until almost nine. They both had motives – to stay up late tonight. They finally figured out that if they want to stay up, they need to sleep in. Alexis had her usual baby pancakes. Her plate was piled high, and the next time I looked over it was almost empty. Guess she was hungry. Cole ate when he and daddy finally decided to get up. They both came out of the bunk house in just their shorts, stood on the deck and both put on their t-shirts. It was so much the same it was if they had planned it. When I told Cole he was just like daddy – I got a big grin out of him.

Right after breakfast the kids went on a pinecone hunt. Alexis and Nolan were going to town finding as many pinecones as they could. Ethan on the other hand was so excited each time he put a new one in his bucket.

Cole and Alexis also played in the sandbox and were joined by Zephy who thought it was a cool spot to lie down and relax.

It was a hot night, and didn’t get any cooler by morning…so it was down to the lake for some swimming before lunch. Aunt Heather took the kids down while mom and dad gave all three puppies haircuts. They were pretty well behaved the whole time; maybe they knew they would be cooler without all that extra hair. As soon as all three of them were trimmed up they were put in the lake for a quick bath and to cool off. Mom and dad joined the kids, Aunt Heather and the boys and grandpa and grandma.

Lunch was grilled cheese, and it was yummy. After all the swimming everyone ate up. Then it was quiet time. Cole and Alexis watched Natasha and Craig play some checkers, and then it was time for Johnny Test to be on. Everyone else found some place outside in the shade until the noon sun got a bit lower. By three in the afternoon everyone was ready to jump back in the lake to cool off again. This time EVERYONE was down in the lake swimming. Aunt Heather took both Ethan and Nolan for a jet ski ride while the rest of us swam out to the buoy. The lots of splashing around, jet skiing and jumping off the jet ski out in the deep water. 3 hours in the lake went by very fast and everyone had a good time.

After dinner it started to get windy, a storm was coming in. Everyone went out in the dark to pick up anything that should be brought in. Then the power went out completely. The island was totally black. Luckily we had some flashlights and candles to keep us going until we went to bed. The power came back on sometime after midnight. None of the kids woke up – they were completely oblivious to the crazy winds and rain.

Tuesday July 3rd 2012

Mom and dad got up super early to take Ghettie back to the vet. They missed 4 of her front teeth when they did her teeth surgery the week before. Off to Iron River. The kids got up and had pancakes with Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt Heather, Ethan & Nolan. It wasn’t long after mom and dad got back that the phone rang. It was Aunt Christi waiting for a ride over to the island with Zola and Zoey! She must have gotten up crazy early to make it by 9 am! All the dogs were excited to see each other and the kids were excited to see Aunt Christi. It was already getting hot out.

Before long it was time to pick up Ghettie. Mom and dad went to pick her up and also brought back some A&W root beer. It was then time to head down into the water to play some more.

Wednesday July 4^th 2012

HOT HOT HOT!!! Time to learn how to ski! After breakfast Aunt Heather and daddy helped Cole try and learn how to ski. He actually did pretty well for his first attempt. He almost made it up! After Cole’s turn Aunt Heather went, but she didn’t get going either. Then daddy – and he actually got up and went around the island 2 times before coming back in. Craig was the last skier of the day and also made it up and around the island. The rest of the morning was spent in the water swimming have having fun.

Cole almost up!

Daddy skiing with Grandma and Mom in the boat

Lunch time pulled everyone out of the water to refill. While the kids all took a rest in various places the adults headed out into the shade of the big trees. Relaxing in the breeze and talking about family vacations from when we were all little. As soon as 2 o’clock rolled around Cole and Alexis wanted to watch Johnny Test, but that didn’t last too long since it was so hot in the house. They were back outside before too long. When naptime was over Grandpa declared it “shore restoration” time. That meant everyone went down to the lake to pick rocks from the bottom and put up along the shore to prevent it from washing away. LOTS of rocks of all sizes were picked. Cole and Alexis were big helpers, but were soon pulled out of the water when a large wall cloud was seen coming our way. More picking up and getting everyone out of the water.

For dinner we had a big turkey that Grandpa and Uncle Andy cooked all day in the smoker. It was yummy; I don’t think anyone went hungry. We also had smores for an after dinner snack.

Cole enjoying his well cooked smore

Alexis roasting her marshmellow

 The storm seemed to blow over and we were all set for fireworks out on the pontoon….then we saw lightening. Re-organize and everyone headed out to the shoreline to watch the big firework show put on by the lodge. Cole and Alexis were very excited, but waiting is hard. After they finally got going Alexis wanted to go inside and her and daddy watched them from the kitchen windows. The rest of us all had spots right on the shore for the prime time show. The lightening in the background was still going on – but again no rain. All and all, the fireworks were a great success!

Thursday July 5th 2012

Another windy and almost stormy night out. It seems like it might be getting a bit cooler. The kids slept a bit later since they were up so late the night before watching the fireworks.  The usual of pancakes was served up for breakfast. Then down to the lake for some swimming and a bit of bathing.

But not too long because we had to get ready to head into Superior for movie time. Mom and the kids went to Brave with Aunt Heather, Nolan and Aunt Christ while daddy went to TED with Uncle Andy, Uncle Allen, Uncle Craig and Natasha.  Mom really liked the movie but Cole and Alexis thought it was too scary with the mom turning into a bear and all. On the way out of town we stopped at Culvers for some ice-cream and treats. Then back to the island where it didn’t take the kids long until they were ready for more swimming! I swear they could live in the water – maybe they are even part fish! More shore restoration took place while Aunt Christi worked with Cole and Alexis on swimming without lifejackets. Alexis was very proud to show mommy how she could swim with just a kickboard. Very impressive! We didn’t come up for dinner until almost 7pm! That meant it was going to be bedtime before too long. Cole read a few books to Nolan while mom read to Alexis. Both Cole and Alexis fell asleep pretty fast after such a busy day and late night the night before.

Saturday July 7th 2012

It was up early for everyone to head into Lake Nagagamon for the Dragin Trails race. All of the kids ran in the race – and Cole even got second! They thought it was so much fun that they want to do it again next year! Aunt Christi and Aunt Heather ran the 5 mile race that started an hour later. While we waited for their start time everyone got treats from DQ and a new book from the book fair from Grandpa.

Alexis coming in for the finish

Cole in second place - he will not be beat by a girl!

The metal winners!

After we got back the kids played legos and did some swimming. After lunch Grandpa left to head to our house to teach a class (and hopefully check on mom’s garden!) Cole and Alexis were bit sad knowing this was the last night with their cousins Nolan and Ethan. They just have so much fun together!

Sunday July 8th 2012

Today much of the family had to go home. Uncle Allen and Nolan left early to head out to meet Nolan’s other Grandma and Grandpa. After lunch Aunt Heather, Ethan, Craig and Natasha left. Things seemed a bit quiet as those of us still enjoying the island hung out in the lake.
We did go swimming (of course!), even Zoey and Zephyr did some swimming and fetching in the water. Cole was so excited because he really wants his dog to swim with him!

Around 5 pm mom and daddy left to head into Duluth to pick up a first time guest – Nana! Cole and Alexis stayed at the cabin with Grandma, Uncle Andy and Aunt Christi. They were allowed to stay up as late as they could – but both of them fell asleep in the main cabin before mom and daddy got back with their new guest.

Monday July 9th 2012

Nana is on the island – Yea! The kids were excited to see Nana in the morning. The first thing Alexis wanted to do was eat breakfast with Nana, which can ONLY be yogurt and fruit. Luckily mom had picked up some yogurt on the shopping trip in Duluth the day before. Cole was able to convince Aunt Christi to make him some buttermilk pancakes for breakfast. As soon as they were done eating, it was time to give Nana the big tour of the island. The kids had a route that they insisted we take, first around the middle cabin and then over to the far cabin. It was a pretty relaxing day of swimming in the morning, lunch, rest and more swimming before dinner. I think Nana enjoyed her first day on the island in true relaxation.

Tuesday July 10th 2010

This morning was a bit of a lazy morning. Both of the kids slept past 7. Alexis was the first in to have breakfast with Nana. Yogurt and fruit is the ONLY thing you can have for breakfast when Nana is around. Cole came in shortly after and was excited to see mom had purchased a box of cookie crisp. After breakfast Alexis and Nana played a game of “go fish” – then Cole joined in and they started a game of Uno. Mom worked on sorting patterns while the games seemed to go on and on. After games, Nana had both Cole and Alexis writing various “games.” Alexis worked on the alphabet and Cole did some fill in the blank stories. Then the real fun started. Nana said something about a scavenger hunt…well Cole and Alexis knew exactly what that was about since they had written one with Grandpa a few weeks ago. Nana wrote the first set of clues and hid them around the yard. The last clue had them playing hide and seek to find where Nana had gone. They immediately wanted a second hunt since the first was so much fun. So Nana wrote a second hunt. That hunt was also a blast and ended with the kids finding a candy bar hidden behind daddy’s iPad. Lunch crept up on all of us and we all filled our bellies. Rest time today was more of a treat than a real rest. Daddy found Men in Black was on TV and so they were allowed to watch that during their rest time. Mom and Nana went for a paddle boat ride while the movie was on. After the movie mom and daddy got some shelving built – and after that it was time for playing in the lake. It was warm down on the dock, and the cool water felt good.

Bathing Beauty

Daddy and Uncle Andy picked some more rock for the shore while the kids played on the tubes in the water. Zephyr also floated around with Cole for awhile and Zola peaked in on the rock picking from the shore.

Dinner was meatballs and Cole was trilled. He’s been doing better about trying new things, but is always happy to have a familiar dish that he knows he likes. Then it was time for AGT. Late night for both of them as they fell into bed just after 9pm.

 

Sunday July 1st

Happy July! It’s hard to believe that the month of June is already over. We are full into our second week up at the cabin and we have LOTS of family to hang out with. All of the kids were up early today and had their typical pancake breakfast compliments of chef Grandpa. Alexis put her special order in for baby pancakes and Cole and Nolan’s request were for fish shaped pancakes. After breakfast Cole did some reading to Carson. He sat on Brook’s lap while Cole read him story after story. Nolan and Alexis even had to stop by to see what all the fun was.

Then it was time to head down to the lake. It was HOT down there today, and all the kids were in the water. Carson even went swimming with his mommy and daddy. Cole went for a kayak ride while Uncle Mark, Casey, Nolan and Grandpa were in the canoe. They went over to work on the boat lift for the speed boat. Then it was time for Daddy to take each of the kids on a jet ski ride. Alexis was so excited, and daddy even let her drive all by herself. Nolan and Ethan both went and then Cole – who we didn’t think was ever going to come back! It was still pretty early and there was lots more time to play before lunch. Daddy took Cole and Alexis out on the big tube with Zephyr. They went out a ways so Cole could jump off in the deep water. Lunch time snuck up, and then it was time to rest. Cole took a half hour quiet time with mom out in the bunk house and Alexis hung out with daddy. A little bit of games on the iPad and before long it was time to get back in the water to cool off. This time Cole went for a long tube ride with Aunt Heather. Uncle Craig drove the boat while Alexis and Nolan “spotted” if someone fell out. They came back in, and Nolan joined them in the tube for a bit of a slower ride – after all it was his first tube ride. It was hot out, so everyone was enjoying the water. Even Carson! He seems to be pretty happy when he’s in the lake cooling off with mom or dad.

Alexis driving daddy around the lake

Alexis, Cole and Zephyr out with daddy

Cole jumping off the tube

Aunt Heather and Nolan, Grandpa with Ethan and Alexis, Uncle Mark with Carson and Grandma

Grandpa taking Cole, Alexis and Nolan for a ride

Cole, Alexis and Nolan

Alexis swimming with just a noodle! NO lifejacket!!

Aunt Heather going for a tube ride with Cole and Nolan

Craig with his spotters Alexis and Nolan

For dinner we had a big prime rib that daddy and Uncle Andy slow cooked in the smoker. It was so good, and everyone at up – everyone but Cole. He was a bit tired after staying up until after 11 the night before – and when he was asked to eat one bit of a carrot…well you might have well have asked him to eat a whole bowl full. His eyes filled with tears and he decided he was done eating. Not anymore or anything, not even dessert. It was a bit over the top, but he stuck to his guns. Alexis on the other hand was a bottomless pit, meat, carrots, peas and strawberry shortcake!

After dinner Uncle Mark and Aunt Brooke packed up their stuff and headed home with Carson and Casey. The kids had such a fun time talking to and reading to him. Alexis and Nolan played in the dirt outside with some cars, Ethan joining in every now in then. Cole went swimming with daddy and Uncle Andy. Then it was time for bed. Brush teeth, pj’s on, stories and time to jump in bed. Cole was the first one asleep, which was of no surprise. Before Alexis could fall asleep, daddy came in and asked her to come back in the house to watch a little gymnastics on TV. She was more than happy to get such a treat. She fell asleep on the couch before it was over.

So far our month long adventure at the cabin has been filled with lots of fun and work that needs to get done. The kids have been getting a taste of all of it.


Thursday June 21st 2012
   We arrived up north at last and have no plans to go home until the end of July (if we even go home then!). Today's trip up was pretty good. Zephyr, who we found out on our last trip gets car sick, did very well with some medicine from our local vet. I cannot say that the boat ride over was as easy. This was my first time driving the boat with the dogs and kids and no other adult onboard to help out. All seemed to be going well until we got closer to the cabin. Apparently the boat was not fast enough for Zeph and he decided to jump off the front of the boat. Alexis started yelling at me and all hell broke loose from there. Luckily he went to the side of the boat and not under it! But we were a bit far out and I was worried he wasn't going to make it all the way in - on top of this we were now coming closer to the dock and we need to land so we don't crash into either the dock or the sailboat. I cannot say that I was calm in this situation, but I took off my shoes and jacket and was ready to jump in a rescue our crazy (ok, stupid) dog from drowning. Luckily Cole is skilled at landing the boat and helped drive us in. I jumped off onto the dock and was able to pull Zeph out. My heart was racing a mile a minute - but thank the Lord, we were all safe.
The kids ran straight to their "log cabin" that they are building from split wood. They got busy right away expanding it and making it even more fabulous than it already was!
We picked up Grandma and Grandpa later, and the rest of the evening was pretty uneventful.


Friday June 22nd 2012

     What a BEAUTIFUL day! After getting some small jobs done around the cabin/bunkhouse, we spend most of the day down by the lake enjoying the sunshine and the lake. Cole and Alexis played in the water, on the dock and hung out on the pontoon. Cole worked on his kayaking skills and Alexis made lots of "food" with water, mud and whatever else she could concoct. We even got the jet ski out and went for some rides around the lake. The favorite place to visit is right by the eagle's nest to see the baby eagles. It was when I was getting the jet ski off that I noticed a blister on my left wrist. Had no idea how it got there but figured I must have burned myself on something and didn't notice. Later in the day we noticed that Cole's arms were getting blisters all over them. They were full of scratches, scraps and blisters. We were super puzzled what these were from. Poison Ivy, no...poison oak, no....whatever could it be to blister up so bad yet have no itchiness. Grandma asked if it was wild parsnip, she had heard something about it from someone and thought it was as good of a guess as any. Off to the internet, and sure enough - wild parsnip. Cole was helping me weed the garden on Wednesday before we left and said he'd get all these big weeds for me. They were too big to pull out so he broke them off - getting the juice all over his arms. Not knowing this was a crazy bad plant we didn't think anything of it. Also turns out that it takes 2 days to "affect" the area and is also activated by the sun. Poor Cole got the raw end of the that deal. His arms looks terrible. We put baking soda on them, and then cut some socks to have finger and thumb holes in them. Put them on his arms under his shirt and sent him to bed hoping they would look better in the morning.

Saturday June 23rd 2012
     Luckily it was an icky day, dreary and rainy. I know this isn't something you typically want at the cabin, but at the same time it was a welcome change to keep the kids (mostly Cole) out of the sun with his raging wild parsnip burns on his arms. They were still very puffy and blistery, and look/act just like a chemical burn. For a kid with eczema this is not a good thing. But he was very good about putting on lotion and antibiotic cream when they broke open. It was also an exception for TV day - lots of Phinneas and Ferb as it was the Out of this World P and F Marathon. Joy oh joy. It was also time to get some more jobs done around the cabin. Grandma, Grandpa and mom all got to work taking out the closet in Aunt Christi & Uncle Andy's room so that we could get their new(er) bed in there. Everything came off the shelves and a large pile was put together for good will. Closet came out, walls, floor, shelving all washed up and then it was time press change and rearrange and put the new bed in. The room looks great and hopefully they will love it. After dinner Grandpa and mom also finished up building the deck for Aunt Heather and Uncle Allen's bed in the bunkhouse. It's a bit higher, but perfect for the "trundle" full size bed that still needed to be built for the boys (aka Nolan and Ethan). The weather had cleared up and Cole and Alexis came outside while we were building and played frisbee. Zephyr also wanted to play, but his version involves him stealing the frisbee and running around the island while the kids chase him. I think he is happiest when he is being chased or chasing the kids!


Sunday June 24th 2012
     Seems like Sunday flew by. Lost of playing up by the cabin and still trying to keep Cole out of the sun with his wild parsnip burns. They are starting to look a little better.




Cole's arm with the blisters starting to get better



Some of the wild parsnip burns.

After lunch the kids put on a show right off the back deck. There were assigned seats for mom, Grandma and Grandpa. We each had a program and after the show were asked to circle on the bottom, one, two or three stars. The show involved a lot of jumping off stuff and twirling very large sticks of wood. It was wonderful, and they got a 3 star rating from everyone.

Monday June 25th 2012
     Grandma and Grandpa were gone most of the day. After breakfast we took them over to the main land and they headed into town to do some errands. We spent the morning down on the dock playing around in the water. Then had a quick lunch of noodles and parmesan. Some cartoons after lunch while we chilled in the heat of the day. Mom cleaned the kitchen and bathroom. We spent more time down by the lake, and soon it was time to pick up Grandma and Grandpa.
Both Cole and Alexis were tuckered out. When mom went to check on Cole, she couldn't figure out what was hanging from the top bunk - after leaning down it was just Pascal and Polk-a-dot monkey!




Zephyr, Pascal & Polk-a-dot Monkey and Cole all snuggled in

Tuesday June 26th 2012
     Today's big project for Cole and Alexis was to rebuild the Fairy House. Each year we build and update our Fairy House, but this spring the tree the house was next to was cut down - and so the old fairy house was buried under a pile of wood. So we set out to build a totally new house in a new location. Cole and Alexis gathered lots of sticks, leaves and rocks and we got to work. We had to break for lunch, but got right back to it. After lots of constructing, we were finished. It turned out pretty good, and I think any fairy who might be stopping by would love to stay at our new home. It even have a table and chairs inside for them to have a snack at.

     Cole was back out kayaking. He's gotten quite good at it and loves to just paddle around the dock area.

Alexis making some muddy mess on the dock - Zephyr seems to think these concoctions are good to drink?

We also finished the bed building project for the bunkhouse. Grandpa put together a frame and made a trundle for a full size bed to slide under the queen bed we had build the platform for earlier. Now Nolan and Ethan will have a place to sleep when they come - in just 3 more days!

Wednesday June 27th 2012
     Early in the morning Grandpa and mom took Ghettie to the vet. She needed some serious work done on her mouth. We dropped her off at 7:40 in the morning at the vet clinic in Iron River. She was not too happy to be left there, but it went ok. After dropping her off, we headed over to Pistol Pete's to pick up Uncle Andy's jet ski. Not sure if he's going to be able to do much riding on it, but I'm sure Aunt Christi will be happy to have it here. We weren't back for long and we had to take Grandma and Grandpa over to the main land so they could go to the family lunch in Poplar and then to Bill and Janice's birthday party at the Lundburg farm. Cole and Alexis were both a bit grouchy and uncooperative. Which was really too bad because they lost their opportunity to go to DQ in Lake Nebagamon on the way home from the vet. We left at 4:30 to go and pick up Ghetie at the vet. She had her teeth cleaned, 2 fell out and 9 more were pulled. No wonder she was not her normal spunky self. After paying the crazy bill, the vet tech asked Cole what he had gotten into. When we said wild parsnip she said she was from Rochester MN and was personally VERY familiar with wild parsnip. Sounds like her experience was much worse than Cole's. We drove back to the cabin for dinner with Grandma and Grandpa - STROMBOLI!! Cole was thrilled, finally something he really loves to eat. I think he ate 3 pieces! Alexis had to go to bed early since she was a bit too sassy with mom, and Cole got to stay up and watch America's Got Talent. It was on until 10 pm and he stayed up through the whole thing. He was so fidgety with his arms being all ithcy and the heat and humidity up so high. He could not get comfortable, so we figured it was best to let him really get tuckered out so he's fall right into bed - which he did.


Thursday June 28th
     Another beautiful day! Glad we are up north because I hear it is HOT back home! It was in the low 80's here today and sunny. Last night was hot, so the cooler morning was a welcome. Pancakes for breakfast, of course. Grandpa even made extras for Ghettie as a treat since her mouth is probably still pretty sore. The kids headed out to play after breakfast, and it wasn't long and all three of us were trying to play bad mitten, or as Alexis calls it "bad monkey." Neither of them were able to hit very good so the game didn't last that long. Laundry got done, picking up got done. Lots to do with everyone coming this weekend for a long 4th of July. Almost everyone is staying for the entire week! The kids helped sweep and carry items where to their new homes. We did have a picnic lunch on the pontoon today. The kids thought that was pretty cool, and Cole said we should do that more often. After lunch it was time to hang out up above and in the house for a few hours until the sun wasn't so strong. The kids got to watch Johnny Test (one of their new favorite shows on TV) and mom helped Grandpa move some stuff around and rearrange the bunkhouse. With all the "houses" ready for all the family to come and stay it was time to head down to the lake and cool off. Cole and Grandma were out in the weather swimming around when Alexis said she wanted to swim. She's been a bit of a scardy cat about going in the water lately. So mom just picked her up by the back of her life jacket and put her in the water. After a bit of a fuss, where mom did join her in the lake, she started to swim around and realized that "hey this is a lot of fun!" Her and Cole were splashing around and playing with the noodles.
This however did not make Zephyr happy. He was barking and jumping around on the dock at them. As soon as they put one of the noodles on the deck, he grabbed it in his mouth and ran down the dock, up the stairs and all the way over to the hammock with it. We were all laughing so hard as his "great escape." He did come back down and was barking again, this time mom tossed him in the water for all the barking. That seemed to do the trick for awhile. Mom got the jet ski off the jet dock and Cole and mom went around the lake. First stop was to see the two baby eagles. They aren't so little, and they sure are loud! We toured the whole lake and headed back in. Cole wanted to take Grandpa out and Alexis joined them on the jet ski for another look at the eagles.




Grandpa with Cole and Alexis out for a jetski ride to see the eagles

After they got back Cole and Grandpa took the kayaks out for a bit. Cole just hung out around the dock while Grandpa went for a longer ride. Dinner tonight was fish, and while Cole was not a fan he tried both kinds all on his own without having to be asked. He said he didn't like them - they were "horrible" according to him - but it's a start. Bedtime stretched on forever, with the beds now over by mom they were SO excited to be able to watch whatever mom was doing rather than going to sleep. Hopefully the novelty of that wears off sooner rather than later.

Friday June 29th 2012
     Well we have 3 new visitors at the cabin, Uncle Mark, Aunt Brooke and Baby cousin Carson snuck in late last night while the kids were sleeping! The kids were excited to see their cousin in the morning. I can't say that the dogs felt the same about Casey, but by mid morning they were all "getting along." Pancakes for breakfast of course. After breakfast Cole and Alexis played some games in the house, and then went outside to hang out with Uncle Mark. Then they both wanted to go swimming and splash around in the water. Lunch time arrive, a bit of TV while Caron had his nap (Johnny Test was on again!) and more swimming and playing in the lake.


Alexis and Cole with Ghettie - who is much recovered

Alexis and her big blue eyes



Cole's deep green brown eyes

The day flew by and right before dinner - MORE COUSINS!! Aunt Heather, Nolan and Ethan showed up just in time for spaghetti dinner. Then Grandpa took the kids fishing while dinner got cleaned up. And just like that, the whole day was over and it was time for bed.

Saturday July 30th 2012
When the kids woke up this morning - DADDY was there! YEA! He drove up Friday night with Uncle Andy. Uncle Craig and Natasha also arrive late late on Friday night. Breakfast was busy, with almost everyone joining us at the table. Pancakes, of course. It was outside after breakfast to play ball, and run around the yard. The lake was also calling - now that Alexis realized the water is fun, she can't get enough and had to show daddy how she can swim all over.

    
It was a fun day that again flew by. At dinner was had heard Casey woof, but no one really thought anything of it. Well right after the kids were in bed, Mark and Casey were walking along the house and a porcupine went running in front of them. We have never seen a porcupine on the island before, but though we may have had one visit a few years back. It ran straight to the trees and climbed its way up.


Our very own porcupine up one of the trees

By morning he was gone, no idea if he swam off the island or just found a good hiding place. Anyway, the kids thought it was pretty cool to see a "wild" porcupine.


So there you have it - our summary of what we have been up to so far at the cabin. Stay tuned - I'm sure there will be many more exciting and fun stories as the summer goes on.