Detroit Lakes, 2013 (Day 1, 21 pics)

We extended our annual trip to Detroit Lakes this year, staying an extra few nights at our friends' lake house.
Our family always looks forward to this mini-vacation! The people we stay with are such good friends, and all six kids get along so well. It's just such a worry-free, relaxing, fun time!

The weather was wonderful this year. Warmer than it has been in years past. The kids (and grown-ups too) were able to enjoy all the fun activities the lake has to offer. We did some tubing, swimming, jet skiing, fishing, made sand castles on the beach, enjoyed a sunset cruise on the boat...ahhh, it was lovely!

Here are some of the pics I took on the first day...

6 hour drive to get there, so we plan for at least one park stop to let the kids play for awhile. This park we stopped at was in Sauk Rapids.

And, we fed the ducks at the park...

Few pics of our friends' beautiful lake house...

A good-looking guy...;)

Jessica's "life is good" pose...

Lia. Not quite ready to jump off the dock yet this year...

Big brother jumping in...

And, big sister too...

!!!!!!!!!!

Jackson, rather amused by this dead fish...

Three of the "youngers" in the clubhouse...

The two "olders"

The two youngest...

Sunset cruise...

Future Captain, and his First Mate;)...

Girls just wanna have fun... :D

The girls and I spent a few days in Cottage Grove with cousin Alli and cousin Lettie, and Auntie Laura too (Uncle Chris was in Onalaska helping Dad with our new roof).

We had a nice visit. Spent time at a nearby park, went swimming in the backyard pool.
Played games

Watched movies

Played at the Devine backyard complex

Made faces for the camera (intentional by Lia;))

Played dress-up and had dance parties

Baked cookies

Went to Sky Zone (indoor trampoline play place)

Thanks for the good times! We love you girls!

Happy Fourth of July! 2013

We spent the days of July 3rd and 4th at Grandma Chris' & Grandpa Bob's house.
Cousins, Alli and Lettie, Aunt Laura, and Uncle Chris were there.
Grandma & Grandpa Gunderson, and Uncle Mark, Aunt Brenda, and cousin Emily visited on July 3rd...

Fourth of July night, we spent some time at a friend's house.
Here's a picture of all eight kids, anxiously awaiting the fire...

Trying real hard to ignite the wet firewood...

Finally! ...a "rip-roarin' fire!"

Just right for roasting marshmallows, and making s'mores!

All the kids tried some sparklers too...

Happy Fourth!!

Vacation for Mom & Dad

So we took a little trip...

For the first time, since the three of you were born, Mom and Dad went on a vacation...

And, we had a wonderful time!

The three of you were left in good hands... All three sets of grandparents took turns for the weekend and nighttime shifts. Babysitter, Catherine, helped out a few days. And family friend, Nicole (Brennan's Mom), helped get Jackson to all three of his sports.

Although it was a really fun, and relaxing, time for Dad and I...

Coming back home to these three smiling faces was even more fun...

But, maybe not quite as relaxing!... ;-)