Camping and Boating Weekend

For several years now, we have made a tradition of a "boating day" with my uncles who have boats while camping.  This was our second year going to Waffle Farms with my brother.  Uncle Rusty and Aunt Julie and Uncle Kenny and Aunt Sharon came for the day on Saturday while my parents came for Saturday/Sunday.  Tyler and Abby made it too this year.  I was so nervous about the weather with the rain we have been getting.  Checking the forecast often, it showed about a 40-50% chance of rain all weekend.  Not good.  We left early on Friday so we had most of the day on Friday, and no rain!  Our lot was right across from the beach so the kiddos got some swim time in.  Ben, Chad and Tyler actually got some fishing time in too (Chad caught the biggest!) and we were able to go on an evening cruise around the lake in our boat before campfire time.

Saturday morning was foggy and wet, a bit chilly and I was still nervous.  My family was set to arrive around 10:30 am after picking up the pontoon.  By then, the clouds were starting to break up and what do you know...the sun even came out!  We were able to actually stay out on the lake all day - til about 5:30 ish with it raining only for about 15 minutes!  Turned out to be a good day!!!  Well, except for the fact, Chad tried skiing (after not doing it for 15+ years) and ended up dislocating his finger.  Kenny quickly ran my dad and Chad to the camper so they were able to get to the emergency room and get it taken care of quickly  He was back in time for dinner!  We did some tubing, well, the kids did ;)

 Tyler knee boarding (below)

 Daredevil Reese tried to do everything Tyler did - even tried to jump the wake!

 Our laughs for the day!!

And the older adults showed us younger adults up by waterskiing...and doing it well!!!  You can definitely tell they grew up on a lake!
Uncle Rusty made it look so easy!

 Ben even got up!

 Uncle Kenny - an old pro

 Mom still has it!

We even got some good sun, even with the mix of clouds and sun all day. 
Everyone chipped in by bringing some food for a quick dinner and we were ready for a campfire.  Some good memories shared and lots of laughs.  Unfortunately, the rain decided to come in, but we were so thankful for the mostly dry day we had, that we didn't care that we had to turn in a bit early for the night.

Sunday brought us some more sun.  Uncle Rusty actually stayed the night in Coldwater, came back on Sunday and visited some more.  Good times.  So very blessed to have such a fun family.

Definitely ready to do it again next year!

Fledging

This was the last photo I took on Friday of the baby bluebirds.  According to the info I have read, you should quit monitoring the nest after the babies have turned 14 days old or it could force the babies to fledge too early. 

I have been watching the nest and mom and dad have been working hard to try and coax the babies out, in fact I have caught several photos of the babies peeking out into the world.    The mom and dad sit right outside the bird house  and talk to the babies, still bringing them food.  I plan to remove the old nest so the bluebirds can build new asap if they need to.  So excited we have successfully helped a family of bluebirds this year!!!!

Bluebirds

Finally I think we are going to have a successful brood of bluebirds!! 
They were born on Saturday, June 8th.  The photos are of them on Sunday, June 9th, at 7 days, at 10 days and today (12 days).  Fledging should occur within a week or so.  Anxious to see if I will be able to watch this process.  So very excited to have some babies survive!!!!

Cheer Camp

This week was cheer camp through Gabi's school.  She is the top dog this year...an 8th grader.  It was especially fun because her little cousins were able to do the camp too!  Presley, Addy and Reese were adorable! 

Can I just say that the pics of Brooke and Gabi show a hint of exhaustion...Brooke stayed over last night and they were up till 3 am doing fitness workouts on OnDemand.  Oh to have that kind of energy!! 

 

 

 

We were lucky with the weather...finally starting to get warm so the girls were able to get some swim time in at maw maw and paw paws after camp!!

 

 

 

Father's Day Weekend

So glad the boys were able to come home for Father's Day.  Both arrived on Friday and we were able to have some s'mores in our yard.  Always a good time laughing and talking.  Good family time.

Saturday morning was spend on Lake Erie (at least Ben, Dave and boys).  Fishing wasn't all the great but Trenton caught a HUGE smallmouth bass he was proud of.  They were glad they were able to go with their dad.

We spent Father's Day at my parents' house with my mom's side of the family.  Seems to be getting smaller and smaller each year as kids grow up and have families of their own.  Missed you Brandon/Lexi, Ryan, Brandy and family, Billy and family, Chad and family (camping)...it was much quieter than usual.  Gabi and paw paw took a dip in the pool with the warm weather.  Great food as always.  Aunt Julie said I got the award for most family present :)  That warmed my heart.  I was proud.  Thought of dad R today when I found a penny in the laundry basket first thing. 
Ben was happy to get some broad head tips for his new cross bow he will be purchasing for hunting season.  I think he was more happy that his family was all together today.  Happy Father's Day to my daddy - my inspiration, one person I truly admire and look up to.  And Happy Father's Day to Ben...the best husband/father I could have ever asked for to me and my children.  So very blessed.

 

Baby Bluebirds

Got back from camping to find three little baby bluebirds!!!!

Fairytale Weekend

So this weekend was the first official weekend of summer vacation for Gabi and we made it extra special by planning our first camping trip of the season.  Gabi brought along her friend, Brooke, for Fairytale Weekend at Jellystone in Fremont.  Our favorite campground.  We met up with Chad, Amber and the girls this weekend which always makes it more fun.  We did alot of relaxing, alot of walking, some swimming, some Bingo (Ben actually won $6.50), some ceramics and of course the Fairytale Ball was Saturday night.  We also coordinated dinner with Chad before the dance, and wow.  A great meal.  Amber made a chicken packet in foil with some fixins and I was in charge of the sides and a dessert.  We opted for some fresh veggies grilled on a skewer, some potato salad (from Walmart) and a dessert you can never go wrong with...some Rice Krispie Treats.  We were pleasantly surprised at how all the food came together.  A nice change of pace and always like to try something new.  Campfire time was fun.  Lots of laughs.  So very glad to have started this summer out right and how refreshing it was to get back into the camping season.  Always a sad day on Sunday when it is time to pick up and head home.  Friend time and Cousin Time...Great times!

Last Summer/Year

Moved Trenton into his house with 7 other buddies today in Naperville.  He will be staying there for the summer to take a class and work.  Unfortunately, because Trenton decided to switch majors he will have to go a couple of trimesters next year also.  Hopefully a tentative graduation around Christmas time this year.  He found a nice house with some pretty nice fellas.  I hated that it was cold and rainy and that we couldn't get everything he needed put together and situated because the carpet was being replaced throughout the house on Wednesday.  But, we got him everything he needed and pointed him in the right direction.  Took him to lunch at one of Ben's favorite places (Portillos) and got him lots of groceries.  Mission accomplished.  I have to say, though, the highlight of the day was walking into Trenton's new room and seeing the one and only thing on the floor.  A penny.  Yep, pretty much speechless.