WI: work. cousins. fireworks

Our trip wasn't ALL play. A few years back a big storm came through and took down a big tree. Well, the stump was needing to be removed so one afternoon the siblings spent some time digging it out. It was a big stump and they made a lot of progress, but unfotunately weren't able to finish the job.

 

 

These girls were in charge of quality control. That and the water police - its important to stay hydrated you know. (while we're on topic, I carry a water bottle nearly everywhere I go - we're to the point now where Kelsey won't leave the house without me grabbing my water bottle :) And a while back Rylee asked "Is it hot? So, I need to drink lots of water?" yup. )

In smore heaven:

We spent a few nights on the beach lighting and watching fireworks.

My favorite (though clearly not the safest) was the one pegged to a tree. You read that correctly, it spun around the nail afer it was lit, but we all wondered if an open flame and wood were a good combination . . . . all was well.

Then, of course the roman candles. . . . and bottle caps in the sand. Good times.

 

Here's all the grandkids up at the cabin (we were missing 2). Nevermind the grouchyness of our girls. little stinkers. On another side note, I love dressing the girls in matching outfits, that being said I really don't have THAT many (ie I hold back more than I'd like :) ) But these matching outfits are the best because I bought the skirt Kelsey is wearing at a garage sale when Rylee was that size and the one Rylee is wearing was a hand-me-down from a cousin. Couldn't have worked out more perfectly if I'd tried ;) )

Kelsey had had it.

Rylee had too, but cared even less to put up a fight. . . . there literally were 10 pictures in a row where she didn't change her expression. even a little.

Have it your way, got to bed so we can play games :) And that we did.

 

WI: Canoeing

Well, I'm back to updating about our big trip-
Everyday another sibling was able to join us up at the cabin. Then all (that could make it) were there together for one whole day so we decided to canoe the Namekagon River. We decided on about a 4 hour trip so Nana stayed back to watch the youngest two grandchildren and met us half way through when we stopped for lunch.
The hardest part for Rylee and our leaving Wisconsin was having to leave the Ariel life jacket behind. Man she loved that thing (and I was a teeny tiny bit glad her girl cousin has her older brothers influence and doesn't care much for over the top girly stuff {yet} so there wasn't even any fighting over wearing it :) )

The grandkids swapped canoes a few times and all seemed to congregate around Poc. Surprise, surprise, he had candy and snacks ;)

It was a fun trip. We saw a blue herring, a baby dear, and a bald eagle along the river.

There were a few traffic jams

Then we got out of the water for lunch.

The second half consisted of a bit more swimming. There were a lot of shells in the river so we'd jump out to cool off and grab a few and of course throw rocks.

I loved the reflection of the clouds/sky and trees on the water. It was really beautiful.

The spot where we needed to get out to get picked up was right by a bridge. It was a terrible spot to stop because that was actually the fastest part of the river (and the only time a canoe tipped). There was some sand to play in and then a few of us would walk up the river a bit and ride the current down. Kinda fun.

Its difficult living far away because by the time the girls warm up to family (as in Rylee's case, not only let them near her but actually ask for an Uncle to pick her up) its time to go :( maybe everyone will decide it really is better to "fly south" for the winter ;)

WI: tubing

Photo Warning: My sister in law got a bunch of really great shots and I had a hard time narrowing the photos in the post down. Consider yourself warned.

We were able to get a few good tubing runs in. Taking the girls out on the tube was hilarious. Rylee was scared: sqoze my hand the whole time and tried to hide behind whoever was on her opposite side (dad or auntie M). Kelsey (AKA: the thrill seeker) loved it. She found the handles and knew just what to do. The only time she let go was when we crossed the wake and then she'd clap her hands and cheer, lol. Ah man, I can't wait for her to be tall enough to ride the steel eel with me at Sea World :)

see Kelsey clapping?

After a few minutes, we ditched the girls so we could get up to an appropriate tubing speed. :) Team Mike and Trish was unable to be thrown from the tube this trip.  Not for lack of trying. Even when the twenty-something brother was behind the wheel and no parents in sight ;)

We did however catch some air:

and speed:

It is REALLY hard to hold on when you are laughing that hard, but you are swinging around so fast that you know it will hurt more if you hit the water at those speeds. And then Michael yells in your ear: "Hold on!! Don't let go!!"

so. fun!

After my arms turned to jello (and the random neighbor yelled at us to stop) we decided to jump off the boat for a swim.  Like most things in life: its much more fun to do with a friend.  Bonus points if that friend is a cousin.