Fall visit at the cabin...

This last weekend we had a short but sweet fall-visit from our two sons, Brice's family and Gavin!

We missed Brianna and family, but we realize we won't always be able to coordinate our entire family for multiple visits during the year. We are thankful for the times together, however that may be.

Some took the boat out to "tube" the kids.

Our kids and grands have not seen our new jetski yet so that was a hit for all...

Brice and Lewin

Scarlett & Brice, with Gavin helping to deeper water.

Brice with Scar hanging on for dear life

Gavin especially loved being on the ski, he took it out many times

Just chillin in the dining room

Morning coffee with my granddaughter.

Our fall tradition, caramel apple making

so much fun

Yummy!

Gathering of the men folk

Our boys took charge and got the swim raft out for thier dad, 

It's a little tricky and every year takes some figuring out.

Back to the garage to store for the winter

The weather wasn't the best (cool & windy) but we really didn't notice! 

Just being together is what matters... it's truly a gift.

I love spending time with my family, (missing the ones that werent here).

Before school starts....

I has been a bit of a tradition for me to take each of my grandkids out for lunch (or a treat of their choosing) then shop for some school clothes, or shoes if thats what they need.

 I love the on-on-one, and it's always fun to spoil a little.

1st up my oldest.

 Audrey and I have always loved to shop with each other so we did just that. 

We found some treasures at the mall and Target.

She opted for a treat at Bloom, since we went after lunchtime. I love this healthy option.

The next day I grabbed Carson, he chose Twigs for lunch, our favorite! 

After we ate, we found some school clothes at Kohls then headed to the arcade for some fun.

Skip ahead 4 day...

I met up with my son at our 1/2 way spot to pick up my Twin Cities grands.

sadly I didnt grab any shopping photo's with them but this will do

I took each by themselves!

 Lewin requested new shoes, and Scarlett chose Target for her shopping choice! 

We were successful with both!

Cousin Time! Love these 4

He still loves to swings, Please never stop swinging Lew

Chalk artist Audrey

Her Peach

Took the littles to visit their Great Grandma Mary <3

Putting together "Rock em' Sock em' Robots 

Morning vibes, cartoons in the king bed with G-pa & Gma

Followed up with Mickey mouse pancakes

Making faces with chocolate Chips

Uncle Gavin came the skate park with us, he's helping Scarlett figure something out?

Met up for lunch with the cousins and Auntie Brie

I love spending time with these precious grandkids of ours.

We are so blessed that they are in close proximity.

 

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