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!