Camping with the Budde's

We spent 3 days last week camping with Mike, Jolene, Carter, Taylor, Katelyn & Jack. It was a blast. We borrowed Cory's camper and met the Budde gang at Canary Beach Resort in Villard. Curt wasn't so sure about it on Wednesday but by Thursday afternoon he was into the camping routine. It is easy to enjoy it when the kids are having such a good time. I don't really know if Ben had a good time but he sure was a trooper through all of it. We got to do some fishing off the pontoon, fishing off the dock, swimming, paddling in some small boats, biking and lots of visiting. Now Jake not only thinks we should buy a camper but he'd like a pontoon as well.

Saturday we visited Gabe at G & G Bergmann's and did some more fishing off the dock. Early afternoon we headed to my aunt Joanie's house on Little Birch Lake for a Bergmann get together. It has been a very long time since we've had one. Once again the boys did awesome - played in the sand and water and had a blast. I was suffering a little due to the fact that I burnt my back terribly while fishing with Jake earlier that day. Dumb -- it is still as red as ever today and hurts like a bear. It was my refresher course to not do that again for the next 15 years.

Sunday Curt and Jake went back to the lake to catch more fish. Jake really likes to fish and it getting quite good at it. By the time they were finished they had enough to bring home and clean. We had them for supper tonight.

Wednesday we plan to spend some more time at the lake with the Middendorf's at Jeske's cabin. I think Jake might spend the night at Grandma Marilyn's after that. Mom is off this week because she had knee surgery last week. She's doing pretty well but it is still a bit stiff.

This week is the Stearns County Fair. We might go on Friday for Kid's day and I think Jake and Curt are planning to go to the demo Friday night.

Can't believe we are on the downslide of summer -- it went way too fast!!
By the way - I don't miss my long hair even a little bit.



Jo's Taylor enjoying the paddle boats.


The 'old' camping buddies.


Jo's Katelyn - she's supposed to be looking for frogs.


Jake and Mom paddling the boats (this is after the first attempt in which I sunk the boat)


Finally getting to roast marshmellows - don't let the face fool you - he was having a grand time.

New Do!

Well, I did it. I cut off my hair. Funny thing is that Amber just did the same thing! I read her blog yesterday and had my appt that night. I wasn't sure if it would be long enough to donate to Locks of Love. I had decided if it was close, I'd wait otherwise I was still getting it cut. It was long enough! I'll post some pictures tonight.

We are going camping tomorrow for two nights. Jake is pretty excited. The only bad part is that now I'll be reminded everyday that he wants a camper. We are going to Canary Beach with Mike and Jolene and their kids. If the weather is good it should be a great time.

We spent a little time fishing off the dock on Sunday night at my parent's. Jake was having a blast. We caught a bass, 2 rock bass, and 4 sunnies. Bad part was that his silly mom didn't have the basket quite right and they escaped! Jake wasn't too upset and it made the decision of keeping them a lot easier.

Ben is as busy as ever. He can clap his hands now and wave bye bye. He has been waving for a long time but last night was the first time he waved when I said bye bye. It was pretty cute. He can stand on his own and go from squatting into standing without holding onto anything. No steps yet. I'll post again after the camping adventure.

A few new pictures...

Yet another friend for Jake.

The boys 'wrestling'. (Jake is learning how to have fun and not hurt Ben)

Toad Heaven... 3 new friends in one night!

It was a great 4th of July weekend for us. We had a chance to do a little bit of everything. Friday we went to the Ward Spring's parade and visited with the Bergmann relatives at Dave's afterward. After a 3 hour nap for most of the house we went out to Lake Maria to visit with the camping crew. The biggest hit and probably most exciting event of the weekend was that Jake went tubing! Carly went in the tube with him but he did awesome and loved it.

Saturday was windy and hot so Curt decided to get some work done and Jake rode with in the truck. It made for a nice afternoon at home with Ben for me. We actually had some quiet play time. That night we went to Feldewerd's for supper and some more visiting.

Sunday was the annual Feldewerd get together at the JC park in Melrose. It was nice - lots of food like normal. Jake was having a blast playing in the water from the spigot there - anyone who has had a school outing at the JC park knows which one I am talking about. After that party we went to a pool party. Ben almost slept the entire time in the truck, which was nice since he's a handful to keep after these days.

After all that visiting it was early to bed on Sunday night and back to 'normal' on Monday.

Tomorrow night I am going out with some friends and Ben and Jake are visiting with Pam and company. I'm sure it will be well enjoyed by all.

That's all for now - oh one more thing - we caught a turtle to add to the list of creatures visiting our house. Curt has seen some baby deer tracks in the backyard so we're hoping to get a glance of that as well. Jake was already asking if we could catch it!