Great Weekend Get-Away

Ahhhhh.... Vacations!! LOVE THEM!
We had a great LOOOOOONG weekend over the 4th of July holiday. Left Thursday and returned this afternoon.... a wonderful weekend with good friends upnorth!

It was a HOT weekend too, at least the first day or two ... the temps reached up to 105 degrees on the deck!



Thankfully the work the guys did on Friday was mostly inside in the AC putting up new trim around all the windows and new TV cabinet insert, on the new floor etc. The cabin looks GREAT! Later Sue and I hung a few pictures in the kitchen, living room, hallway, etc., and John and Randy hung some of the deer trophies.






Randy's daughter and boyfriend (Natalie & Rob) came up for a couple of days too with their "baby" Cooper, who had fun with Randy's dog, Jet. The dogs seemed to think they should share the couch with Randy! *lol*



We relaxed a LOT, enjoyed the lake and boat "tours", dice games, going out to eat and bbq's at the cabin too... slept in late, and stayed up late, afternoon naps, night time fireworks, morning fleamarkets and letting the dogs run at a friend's farm.








A full, relaxing and FUN weekend!!






Thanks Randy and Sue!! xoxox

Jorden + Barbies + Imagination = Fun Times!.

Jorden has decided to rename all her Barbies... She had already chosen a name for her Ken doll many months ago ... since he has blonde hair like her Daddy, she calls him "Daddy Kaine".




But today she told me that the Barbie behind her Daddy Kaine doll on the horse was Barbie Jorden, and the one behind her is now Auntie Kasey! *lol*






I love to listen in on her play time with her Barbies... uhh, I mean with Daddy Kaine, Barbie Jorden and Auntie Kasey ... *G* Such a fun time she has!

Play is the Work of Childhood....

...and did we ever WORK today then!





This afternoon Kaine and I took Jorden to the park... having fun is hard work! *S*







There's no better view than the view from a swing!

Congrats to The CHAMPS!! - Grandson Jake and the MN/WI Elites Hockey Team!

Our son, John and grandson, Jake, were gone upnorth over Father's Day Weekend at the MN/WI Elites USA International Cup Hockey Tournament.

They played great!! And came away as the CHAMPS!! YAY!! Jake even scored a goal too!

Congrats to them all...great series, way to go!! xoxox

Father's Day at My Dad and Mom's

Happy Father's Day to my Dad (me and Dad in the photo), my father in law Paul, to my husband John, and to my sons who are wonderful Dads too...Kaine and John-John.

Kaine and Jorden came home for a few days, but John and his older son Jake were upnorth in MN at a Hockey Tournament, but Janel and the other two grandsons came over to my parents house along with many of my sisters and brother and families. Some were out of state, in Florida, on a vacation, but we still had a fun and large group there to celebrate Father's Day.




Here are some photos from this afternoon's cookout and fun...




The "skyflier" has always been a big hit for kids and adults alike. But Dad has shortened it up considerably since we were kids... it was twice as long and twice as high, but the one main tree died off, and so Dad shortened it. But the grandkids still LOVE playing on it.







My Dad has made several picnic and gathering areas around the back yard... here is the "beer tent", complete with electricity, a fan, lights, and Kasey was even able to bring her laptop to edit some wedding photos from yesterday's photo shoot. *L*


















My brother claims he was just resting his eyes for a second in this photo.. *L*




And, do you think my Dad has gathered enough firewood for a year or two yet?? *L*


Great afternoon!! Love you Dad!!! xoxox

Father's Day Brunch at Christ Church

Each Father's Day, the women of the parish host a pot-luck Brunch honoring the men. This year there was also a pie and cake raffle to go along with the delicious brunch.
The women also offer centerpiece decorations on the tables, usually in some theme that honors the men.

Here are a few photos from the morning brunch...



Kasey and John ....



Jorden and Kaine...

And the buffet line.... yummm!

Jorden Making Daddy a Father's Day Treat...

Our son Kaine and granddaughter Jorden are home for a few days... YaY!!

Tonight I was getting some things ready for the Father's Day Brunch at Church tomorrow morning, and the Father's Day family celebration at my parents house later tomorrow. Fixed two hams, sliced and ready to reheat for the Brunch and then Jorden wanted to help make jello.



The raspberry/banana jello is her Daddy's favorite as well as my Dad's favorite too ...so we made a super large batch, one for Jorden to give to Daddy, and one to take to the family get together.




Here's Jorden, helping, snitching some raspberries and having fun... *S* Such a sweetheart!! xoxoxo