We went ahead and just did it....

... We bought a jet ski

We have been looking since the beginning of cabin season.

 Hoping to get one before the big family week, well it didnt happen until 2 weeks ago.

The crazy thing is we found it in Rochester, just a few streets up in our neighborhood.

It is a beauty and so well taken care of by a single owner. I'm glad we took our time and 

waited for the perfect machine for us.

Dont worry I was the "passenger"

We are loving this addition to the cabin.
I have learned to take it off the lift by myself, get on and ride and them put it back on the lift 

I like the looks of it!

Next up...

My sister Jodi, and here family came up for their yearly visit, 

My niece Jensen brought her friend Hannah (the one with glasses)

We bought a lift for the jet ski off marketplace, the girls along with BIL Brad helped get it in the lake.

My nephew Sam and girlfriend Brooke came up for the day.

These two goofs

Chillin in the lake, we had great weather.

Uncle Rick gave them a ride for their money

We put the guys on dish duty

When we are not in the lake you can find us at the patio table rock painting and bedazzling.

I didnt know my BIL Darin was so artistic... see below

They just got back from a trip to Washington including Orca Island and Mount Rainier

Hannahs creation

Mostly Jensens

Love having them here...they are easy to have around

Back to Rochester for some more good things.

July was a packed month all the way to the end...

On our way back to Rochester we got to stop and watch our youngest grandson Lewin play baseball. 

He went 3 for 4 with the bat! So fun to watch him play

Celebrating Dad's (heavenly) 90th Birthday 

All 4 of us siblings were able to take a little road trip down to (as dad would say) God's country.

i.e down to the bottom of Southern Minnesota.

All 4 of us took many rides with dad through the years so we wanted to remember him on his special birthday in heaven by visiting some of his special spots!

Randy #3, Me #2, Rick #1 and Jodi #4

Bucksnort Dam (near Chatfield) one of my favorite places dad and I always stopped to see.

One of dad's favorite spots to stop for lunch Pedal Pushers cafe in Lansboro.

Southfork Church (Filmore county), we remember having family reunions here when we were little.

The Benson homestead, My great-grandpa's place,

 The windmill still stands that he erected himself.

 I've always found it very cool to walk the land that my ancestors farmed.

Riceford Church, Relative from my Grandma'a side of the family are buried here (Benson's)

My dad a few years back (his Great-grandparents)

The church is in bad shape....makes me sad.

We were gone for several hours and drove by more special places like the 

Storlie school house that Dad attended, the first farm our Grandpa Alfred bought, 

and my Great-uncle Grants farmsted across the valley.

There are so many more places we didnt get to...that will be another trip.

I image dad and his twin Gerald along with Grandpa and Grandma were smiling down on us

The trip had to end with one of Dad's favorite things, Dad always had to stop for ice cream!

This time we stopped in harmony at Breakers. Highly recommended

 

July Re-cap... Part 2

2026 Hemmer/Lewis family week at the cabin

Be prepared for the photo bomb...

 Our kids and grands all arrive within a day of each other, some come sooner and some 

leave a few days earlier, but we are ALL here together for a good chunk of the week! 

Lewin

We had a great week, we feel so blessed to have a family that gets along and loves each other...

Even in our little cramped cabin we make it work.

My boy and his girl

Ready to tube

Audrey

wowza....one overboard

Our grand girls are the skiers...for now

Carson is fishing for more than sunnies

Nice one Scar

Uncle Gavin is so fun

Metal detecting on the beach

The girls all went kayaking

One strong girl!

Loading up on iced coffee for the ride home.

These two 

...and then there was the crafting,

Lots of rock painting and Bedazzling going on this year

such a fun pass time

Tile painting too! Audrey's masterpiece

Bedazzle the cans

Dish duty for the sis-in-laws Brie and Jen

Chilling

Morning crafting we love this time to talk, laugh and plan the day

Me and my oldest grand girl "Jojo"

Our 4 (not so) littles <3

Made they're own face masks

We love being in the lake!

Boat rides...

Everyone pitches in after dinner (Oldest and Youngest)

Oh grandpa

Look who's at the wheel 

Doc loves the boat!

Coffee date in town with us girls, while the boys went to the demolition derby at the fair.

Cool dudes!

Celebrated Scarlett's 12th B-day

Love them

Playing "Bags"

and card games

The swim raft is full, I wonder who's going in first?

Cannon ball Carson

Teach them young

Jenny & Scarlett

Brie & Audrey

The good-byes are starting...

Brie & Lew

Sibs

Even Doc says goodbye

Until we see you again

Sweet auntie and niece

sigh...

Our hearts and happy and full

We love this family