catching up

This month my Dad took Brandi and her cousin Mason on a day trip for about 10 miles. They went on a loon survey. They didn't see any but they saw plenty of other creatures and had a great time.

Here they are in the canoe

Here they are just as they were headed out.

Here is my big man talking on the phone like an adult. It is funny just how much they immitate us.

We got a ladder as a wedding present. Already it is being put to good use. Thank you Grandma Jackie!

Kaj and his buddy Russell were pulling Russell's tractor around the field at Russell's house.

Russell drove it way out into the field. This is Kaj trying to pull it back for him.

Brandi got to go to camp Vermillion with her friends Sophie and Riley. Brandi had a blast even though Sophie had to leave on Tuesday because she was home sick.

Here they are right before leaving. Brandi knew a bunch of her cabin mates because they were from International Falls so I think that was cool too.

We went to church before they left for camp. Brandi had kind of a loose tooth and she worked on it the whole time and pulled it out right before she left.

Busy

This summer has been non stop. Here is Kaj up the closet helping me paint. He actually did a great job once he watched me load the paint roller a couple of times. Once he had that it really cut down on the paint on the floor. He did have to leave early though because he called Grandpa and wanted to have an overnight with him. Grandpa had lots of stories. I hope he writes them down. I know Kaj had a lot of plans about going fishing and canoeing. It was raining so I think they just went for a walk, fed the neighbor dogs and camped on the living room floor.

Brandi has been so busy one night she passed out at about 8 in the Greenhouse.

Our friends Addison, Emma and Joyce came to visit for a couple of days. We miss them very much already.

4th of July we set off some fireworks with the neighbors. I think this is a firework that ended up being kind of a dud.

The kids and I went to Tofte for their 4th of July parade. You are so close to it that you can reach out and touch the cars and there is tons of candy. It was a great day and the rain held out just long enough. That day in our travels too we saw a beaver with a tree crossing the road on the gunflint and then a mama duck and her dozen ducklings crossing highway 61 in the rain. There was one more cool thing we saw that day but I can't remember what it was right now.

We also borrowed Uncle Rob's boat and took the kids out for a picnic on the lake. It was a great day for doing that.

Our friend Breanna came over too. She and Kaj had a great time in the Hammock and the trampoline.

This is how little boys fall asleep when they have just had enough and can't take it anymore!

Lots of BBQs with the neighbors and friends this summer in our new patio type area.