Last Day in WI

Our last full day in WI was spent by Lake Michigan testing out my brother's new paddle boards.  We had a great time.  One of my lifelong friends came by to join us.  It was so fun to see Lauren.  I was also able to visit with some other old friends while in town.  We played at a park with Katie and her little boy, as well as spent some time with Kate, my YOM (Your Other Mother).  Later on Jimmy and Amy hosted a BBQ at their place for the extended family in town.  It was a great way to wrap up our trip.

Tralee drew Lauren in the sand -- love it!

Paddle board time

The start of an awesome sandcastle

Grammy Char Char rocked it out there on the board

Lauren posing on the board.

Ahoy!

Sandcastle

Why wouldn't you stand on your head on a paddle board?

We forced Hunty out there.  He did NOT love it!

Fishing Day in WI

Our last full day up north was spent fishing.  The first place we tried was pretty, but not great for fishing.  Too many snags.  So, we drove back to Big Rock.  Big Rock was where it was at!

First fishing location -- too much algae, too many snags

Brady caught this toad

Getting ready at Big Rock

Cute lil' girl!

Grammy Char Char helping Hunty cast

Grandma and her Mountain Dew -- for as long as I can remember, Grandma has done the dew!

Lil' blondie

Brady fishing at Big Rock

Jim loved it there.  Below is a video of Jim floating down the river:

Nights Up North

Every evening up north, we lit a fire, made s'mores (or just ate the marshmallows and chocolate straight out of their packages), hung out, blew bubbles, and chatted.  It was nice being together as a family.  On two of the evenings, sometime after midnight, the ones who were still awake went outside to check out the meteor shower.  I think everyone saw at least one meteor flash across the sky.  Even if you didn't witness a meteor, just being out in the country at night, looking towards the heavens was majestic.  The stars seemed so close, yet at the same time it was amazing how vast the sky was.  I loved the night I laid my head against Jim as he wrapped his arms around me.  We waited together to make a wish on a falling star.  Grandma joined us, as did a few others.  We all chatted, yelled with excitement when we saw a meteor, and sometimes just stood in the darkness as the stars twinkled above.  It was magical.  

Tralee trying to steal Uncle Dave's s'more.

Grandma spending time with my wee ones.  I'm so glad they were able to spend time with her.  There's something magical about this lady.

She was singing a song about a polliwog.  It was cute!  Video below:

Grammy Char Char was on fire duty

Gathering

What's a bonfire without bubbles?

Ring around. . . 

Practicing some gymnastics

She's a perfect 10 in my book!

Up North Day Two

Our second day up north was filled with a plethora of fun things.  The guys went golfing, the ladies shopping.  We also worked on a craft, rested, read, played outside, and Grandma took us to Big Rock.  Big Rock was pretty cool.  It was a fun little swimming area at a spot on the Red River that was covered with rock -- hence the name Big Rock.  

Grammy Char Char and Grandpa Stoehr outside with Rudy the dog.  Not a bad back yard, huh?

Father-daughter bonding

Hammock pics

Grandpa's sidekick

The kids at Big Rock

The rock formation had lots of little crevices with water running through it.  It made a nice place for Hunter to dip his feet.

Hunter collected a lot of mussel shells.  He wouldn't set them down.  Believe it or not, all of Hunty's treasures made it home.  We have shells, pine cones, and acorns now.

I love this picture of all the cousins.  They're almost ALL looking at the same time!