Water Fun

Given the hot weather MN has been experiencing the last several weeks we finally made our way to the pool with James to cool off - both in our backyard and at the St. Louis Park Rec Center. 

James had a blast dumping water out of the pool into the backyard with his cups ... less time required from us to water the grass so that was okay by us!  He wasn't completely sold on it at first but then had a great time.  Now the challenge is convincing him to keep the water in the tub when we give him a bath at night!

We ventured to the St. Louis Park Rec Center just last weekend to check things out and introduce James to a zero-depth entry pool.  Although he was quite tentative at first, "you want me to walk in the water?" ... he finally warmed up to it and the temperature of the water and had fun splashing and "driving."  The pool's features of hoses and sprayers weren't operating that day, which maybe have been a good thing this time around.  We definitely will go back before summer is over to play again as we had a great time!

Summer is definitely here, now we just need to savor it for all it's worth before it slips away!!

4th of July Cabin Weekend at Grandma and Grandpa Kamrath's

We took to the road for the 4th of July weekend leaving late on Friday night in a hope to avoid traffic - success on that front!  James was super excited to be riding in Grandpa's truck - so much so he fought falling asleep for several hours.  But eventually him and Dad we're both snoozing away.

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful weekend at the lake.  Sunny skies and no rain except for the night before we left. 

Grandma and Grandpa's new boat wasn't in the water yet so we took to the paddle boat for some cruising along the shorelines.  James was pretty excited to be in the boat and learned the association between his life jacket and the boat quite quickly.  It took some getting used to but eventually he grew accustomed to it.

"I touched a fish!"  Which indeed he did, but it was Grandma's fish.  He did more dancing with his fishing pole than anything, which was pretty cute to watch.  But anytime you asked him what he did over the weekend he'd proclaim, "I touched a fish!"  Here he is waving his fishing pole around like it was a pole vault stick.  Note: there is no hook attached to the end of the line, just a bobber and little frog!

We ventured into town on Sunday to see the Orr Kiddie Parade.  James thought the music and entries were pretty fun and even got his first taste of a freeze pop.  News has it he made the local paper up in Orr as him and Grandpa we're snuggling and watching the parade.  We'll share the picture once we get a copy of it and are able to scan it in.

Monday we got away from the lake and went up to Voyageurs National Park to visit the Visitor Center, where James got his official "Junior Ranger" hat.  He had some fun digging in the dirt and we had some fun taking the obligatory photo at the Lake Kabetogama Walleye.  James wasn't too thrilled about it but it'll be fun to see pics over the years like this one!

James also learned this weekend how to channel "Unca Dan."  Here he is playing with some of Uncle Dan's old matchbox cars and studying them contently.  He could have played with these all day and been a happy kid.

Best part of the weekend for Grandma and Grandpa I'm sure though was James' ability to associate them with those titles.  "Drive Grandpa's truck."  "Uppy Grandma."  I don't think the smiles have left their faces just yet.

We had a great weekend and hope to get back this fall to see some fall colors and enjoy some time on the pontoon boat!

Cabin Weekend 2011

We ventured up to Park Rapids the last weekend in June to celebrate the start of summer with our college gang of friends.  With three toddlers running around all weekend - there was bound to be cuteness in many forms!

James was the youngest of the three, but held court just fine.  He slept well the entire weekend and enjoyed mooching as much food from others as he could if he was interested in it.

Here are some pics of the weekend festivities.

Beth and James were buds all weekend long ... maybe it's all because of the chocolate chip cookie she shared with him.

Playing at the beach!  James loved digging in the sand and water.  He prefered not to be in the water, just at the edge.  He stayed in this spot for almost two hours one day and was completely content.

Unlike last year, James did not take to the playground swing.  Something about it still terrifies him lately.  He did enjoy time on the teeter-totter and the merry-go-round this year though so that was fun to see.

Here is James enjoying his first s'more.  Yummy!  He managed to eat an entire s'more himself.  Is he is Mom and Dad's son or what?  Loved it!

JJ read the kids books before bedtime each night.  It was cute to see them all gather up for story time and talk about the books. 

Last but not least ... a group shot or two of the whole gang!

We had a great time and can't wait until cabin weekend in 2012 to do it again!

Family Photo Shoot - May 2011

Click here to view these pictures larger

Earlier this year we ran into our wedding photographer at a wedding we were attending, as we had referred the couple to him, and we got to chatting about all the weddings we've seen each other at. As a result of our referrals he offered to take some family photos of us once spring arrived. We called him in April and set up a session in May and just recently got the images from him. We were extremely happy with how they turned out and thankful that James is even looking at the camera in some of them! :) The photo session ended up being outside, and just our luck, 10-minutes in it started raining, but we made the best of it rain and all and are excited to have these photos to mark this time of our family.

Enjoy!

This "New" House

James' playhouse took shape a few weekends ago and he has thoroughly enjoyed the time he's been able to spend going in and out, washing dishes and cooking items up on the grill.  We still need to attach the door bell, but beyond that, it's a completed piece of grandeur architecture in our backyard.

Grandpa and Grandma Bragg came over and with the assistance of Dad pieced it all together. 

We took a break from construction to enjoy some lunch and key lime pie.  James didn't seem to mind it at all.  He loved the sour taste!

Here are a few pics of James enjoying his "new" house.