Golfing 101

                                                                        
Some years ago I used to cringe on Saturday mornings after Scott would come home with his "treasures" from garage sales.  After some time and gentle coaxing (for those of you that know me...gentle is maybe a stretch ;) we have come to a fantastic compromise.  Scott thinks twice (maybe even three times) about his potential purchase.  He has become really great at deciding if it will truly be useful, do we really want to spend the money, and do we have space for it.  When you are married to a Type A everything (and I mean everything) needs a place. 

Needless to say, these little golf clubs were a great find.  Jacob loves to go practice his swing with Dad.  I've told him that they have to stay in the bag until Dad is with him (can you blame me?  I can just imagine a giant dent in my car if I were to run in the house for something).  He looks at them and puts his hands on them and knows that when Dad gets home he gets to take them out.  And biased I'm sure of it, but I think this kid has a pretty good swing for 2.5 years old.  I think his late great uncle Gary would have been proud. 

                                                                                                            

83 and Sunny

Where else would we be?  Kara and I just laugh watching Jacob and Graham.  Although I was able to capture a few pictures, the camera wasn't working properly.  We might be getting that new lens sooner than later. 

Still working

After the sand mishap at the beach earlier this week we were told that the camera may work not at all, a few times, or for a long long time.  This morning it seemed to be working okay.  Here are a few shots of (guess who?) playing with his trains and tractor.  He also had a request to take a picture of his feet.  Then I asked if he would smile for one more.  Although the chair is in the way (whoops) you can see he indeed smiled, but wouldn't take his eyes off of Sesame Street.

Along the Mississippi

Jake and Owin

In front of the little house

On a walk

On a ship looking for pirates

Getting to throw sand - still talking about it

Olive's sand purses

Wading

Driving the bulldozer

A sand warranty on my lens would have been a good idea

Owin has the best poses

Watching the ducks

Greetings from Bemidji

Playing in his new sandbox...hand built by Grandpa.  This kid is in heaven.

A perfect evening for a boat ride...before the mosquitos come out.

Jacob didn't do so much bobber watch as reeling the bobber in, but still managed to catch a few "big" perch. 

I had fun...again

Before heading home we made a quick stop in Fairmont to see my good friends Sarah and Ty, and their girls, Maggie and Libby.   Jacob has also been talking about these two for the past few days.  He was in heaven building sandcastles with Libby and bouncing on the torpedo with Maggie.  And it wouldn't be a proper trip to Fairmont without a pizza from Jake's and a treat from the Dairy Freeze, right?  Jacob announced for the second time in one day, "I had fun".  We'll remind him of this down the road when he is dreading hanging out with his mom and dad.

65 Years!

We made a trip down to Trimont last weekend to join in the celebration of Gene and Carolyn Nordstrom's 65th wedding anniversary.  It was great to visit with family that we don't see too often and as you would expect from a gathering with these folks...lots of yummy food.  Jacob spent most of the time following Anna around, and when we left he continued to ask where Anna was.  As we left, he also made the announcement from the back seat "I had fun" which has become expected when we finish an adventure which he really enjoys.

This picture makes me smile

Scott took this picture the other night while they were out enjoying the summer evening.  You'll notice Jacob was wearing my flip flops which he finds to be amusing.  Hanging with a 2.5 year old makes for a very busy day - but there is never a dull moment.  This kid keeps us laughing from sun up until sun down.    

fort fragen

The third, fourth, and fifth days of July

It did not take long to find the water wheel.  The little pool served well for the little ones to cool off and a giant water dish for the dogs.

Jacob was in heaven in the giant sandbox / beach volleyball court.  He and Denny are talking about trucks...one of Jacob's favorite subjects.

Look at the giant bowl of fresh picked blueberries.  Yum.

So excited to swim in his new spider man trunks!

This is the first assisted jump, however, on the last day he stepped off the dock...this time unassisted, while watching a pontoon go by.  Denny scooped him up right away...after a few belches and tears we got back in the water.  Then he ended up crying because he didn't want to get out.  That was a good sign.  It took a couple of hours for my heart rate to get back to normal but we're just so thankful all is well. 

The three stooges.

Busy helping Dad.

Grady, Alaina, and Jacob.

Grandpa Jake's famous buttermilk pancakes. 

Monkey see - monkey do.

Sas, Grady, and Josh going for a tube ride. 

Sarah and I got in a bit of tubing and skiing action as well.

 Jacob got kisses from Grandma on the dock.

Mike and Josh patiently waiting for Scott.

Dude, what are you doing?  Our show takes off from the dock.

 Mike, Scott, and Josh.  I also tried to get up with Mike and Josh but just couldn't do it with three of us.  I have a new appreciation for those water ski teams! 

With a very late evening nap, Jacob stayed up to see the fireworks. 

Alaina getting a wagon ride from her Grandpa.  What a cutie.

 

Jenny, Sarah, and Sas enjoying the morning on the deck.

The kid switch.

Becky and Lynne relaxing after winning first place in the sand castle contest. (Just kidding...there wasn't really a contest.)  They were worried I would put this picture on the blog.  Don't worry ladies, you look fabulous.

Uncle Mike and Alaina waving.

Thank you to Denny and Lynne for having us...it was a blast!