Lake fun 2009

We've been spending some weekends at the cabin this summer ... 3 nights for Phil! Last year he never spent one night, so this is progress of some kind! The resort people pulled out the rotten dock this spring and piled it in front of the cabin. It was unsightly for a while, but as of last weekend all the rubble was taken away - yay! Now we are enjoying our own beach area. We welcome visitors!! This is a collection of photos from the summer so far. The weather has been great this month for cabin life. Our crops on the other hand are not faring so well.

Samara is Seven

Almost a month ago Samara turned seven. We are finding out that summer, especially right after school is out, is not a good time to have a birthday party. Oh well, two friends came and she wasn't disappointed with her party. She got an Easy Bake oven ... which we haven't used yet, a 3-D puzzle, a "real" pet parrot, a Barbie, a watch ... as well as some presents from grandparents, auntie Carla and mom and dad. It was pretty much a last minute decision on what kind of cake she wanted - limited choices were given by mom, but she decided on a beach party theme. Thanks to Polly Pockets we had some small beach decorations for the cake!

a fairly good time!

I took the kids to the fair on Samara's birthday. It seems to be at the same time every year, so the kids anxiously wait to see the West Coast Amusement crew roll into town around Samara's birthday. I should have taken photos of some of the ride attendants as they were more interesting than some of the rides! The weather was terrible. It was cold and rainy and I'm certain the rain almost turned into snow. We did the wristband thing this year and the kids did the rides they liked again and again and again. There weren't any line ups so I'm sure we got our money's worth! The tilt-a-whirl photo has a funny story to go with it. These were BEFORE pictures. Samara DID NOT like this ride. It went around 3 times and her face got scarier on each time she went by! They stopped the ride and she and Rhett got off. Rhett thought the ride was over so he didn't mind getting off! Phil wasn't there with us this year so I was with Grady while the kids did the rides. I would have loved to go on that one, although I'm not sure if I have the head to go on rides like I used to. I went on one ride where you lay face down and spin around while it goes up and down; made me a bit dizzy! Guess I'll have to wait until next year for the tilt-a-whirl!

annual cruisin' the dub

Grandpa and Grandma's visit

It was so nice to have Grandma and Grandpa visit, but it went by much too quickly. The weather was nothing special but at least the snow waited until they were gone. We enjoyed our time all the same. Can't wait until they are retired and can come for 2 weeks!

... Auntie's visit

We enjoyed Auntie Carla's too short of a visit, but we'll take what we can get. It was especially nice to have her here for Keithan's birthday party. The extra hands came in, well, handy!

We've been spending hours upon hours outside. The boys already have brown faces and necks! When the neighbor kids are out too we pretty much fill up the street with bikes, trikes, push cars, etc. We have a neighbor Crystal who Keithan cannot seem to remember her name. The other day at home he was calling her Sparkle. I reminded him that it was Crystal, not Sparkle. Well, yesterday he called her Silver ... to her face!!! I just about wet my pants laughing! Wonder what her name will be tomorrow?

Keithan's birthday bash