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).

Cabin opening and things...

Memorial weekend visit to the cabin

We were thrilled to have our "opening crew" here last weekend to help get the boat lift in!

 It's a 3 man/woman job so that's usually the last thing we have to do!

Gavin and Brice have got this, while dad holds tight to the rope to help ease this 

giant hunk of metal into position.

Fine tuning

and finally....the boats in!

Lewin has always fished on his tummy, he cracks me up.

It's always fun having the littles here, so much activity, laughter and giggles

Some coloring in the morning

and swinging by mid-morning

This is a tradition for Scarlett and daddy, 

he carries her out into the lake with his hip-waders on and she giggles. 

Teach them young how to start a camp fire

and eat lots of s'mores

He still snuggles up to his mama on boat rides. <3

Bubbles with some Rochester Friends whose grandparents own a cabin across the bay from ours.

This one is having a hard time leaving.....

After the kids left, Rick and I stayed for another 3 days.

We mixed fun with projects

This is our 1st summer with Rick Brother Brad and wife Julie. 

They purchased a cabin about 1 mile down the lake from us.

We happened to be out on the lake at the same time, so we stopped for a visit.

relaxing

A lunch date planned on the lake, we are being picked up by Brad & Julie

Fun to have family on the lake with us.

We have a lot of history on this lake and where our cabin sits. Who would have thought that someday we would own cabin's here and be neighbors? It's just so great.

Too cold to swim, but it's ok to swing my feet in the lake 

We head back to Rochester today, we've decided it's too nice to hurry out of here, so we will finish some things up and then head out later this afternoon. 

We miss our Rochester people...

Finishing up home-schooling for the year. 

Did I mention my daughter is amazing, 

Homeschooling was not something she planned to do but she does it so well,

all the while running a household and working as a nurse part time.

These kids are so lucky!

A birthday in the house

Tell me.... how does ones "Baby" turn 30????

Does that mean I'm old?

I was 30 when he was born at 12:01 am on March 16th. 

Gavin is our 3rd, our 2nd son.

He is smart, handsome, kind, humble and has many many talents.

Sports, Trivia, Music, Spinning anything on his finger and 

balancing a kayak on his chin are some of his specialties, haha!

BIG 3-0

Last weekend our family all showed up for Gavin's surprise Birthday party 

We were thankful for the mild weekend weather that permitted the littles some time outside
 

Sas & Spunk...Love my two granddaughters (notice the bare feet)

Gavin and his nephews out for a bike ride

They love their Uncle Gavin, it's a mutual love!

There is nothing I love more then when my family is all together

When Scar & Lew are here overnight there will always be Mickey Mouse pancakes

(also mixing and licking of the batter, no raw eggs and no double dipping  :) 

They are like magnets!

It's nice to start gathering again, Today is the first day of spring which means new beginnings.

Happy Birthday Gavin, welcome to your 30's  :)

 

Birthdays, taxes and extended stays......

Every mid March the stars usually align and all of our kids/grandkids are able to be home

 to celebrate our youngest birthday. 

Once a year we head to Red Lobster (all 11 of us) which is Gavin's choice for a birthday dinner. 

Gavin loves crab legs....

and so does our eldest granddaughter Audrey! 

She looks so forward to this once a year event, which makes it all the more special.

Carson (right) our oldest grand, tried crab legs for the first time this year, 

according to him they are just "ok".

My daughter and her hubs Chris...just waiting for their food.

After dinner everyone heads back to our house for cheesecake (Gavin's pick) and presents.

The next day, my son Brice and his dad work through Brice's taxes.

 Rick has the Turbo Tax program so both our boy's information is all stored on our computer at home.

Gavin got his all done the day before. Today Rick is working on ours.

Our "Twin Cities" Grandkids got to have an extended stay through Tuesday of last week,

giving mommy and daddy a little break.  It's a win win for all  :)

 Our littlest watching the birds while eating breakfast

Scarlett and I have been making pancakes together since she was old enough to  

hold a stir-stick in her hands. This time Lewin wanted to help stir, so they took turns.

 We always make "Mickey Mouse" pancakes!

We stay very busy when the grand kids are here, 

the weather cooperated so we could spend some time outside

 Scarlett found the chalk bucket

Lou says, "I workin'" 

 Still plenty of snow

so we swing in the snow

Our 3rd grandchild to ride the little red bike

Uncle Gavin skate-boarding with Scarlett

Some make-believe with spelling casting going on.

She's old enough to put together this Disney puzzle all by herself.

We always try to allow for some cousin time!

 We headed back to the cities at nap time...

 10 minutes into the trip they were both asleep.

  

I always leave the toys strewn around the house for a few days,

 it reminds me of our sweet little ones, when things are suddenly so quiet.

My Rochester grandkids will be here soon for a Sunday afternoon visit, 

we are looking forward to spending some time with these two today.

Being Grandparents is such a Joy!