Camp Grandpa and Grandma

While Phil and I were in Canada, Adam and Clara got to spend time at Grandpa and Grandma Swenson’s house.  This was their first “sleepover” without Mama and Daddy – and they did great!  Grandpa and Grandma’s house is really a dreamland for children with all the space to run and animals – not to mention grandparents who are super fun and love them endlessly.  When Phil and I got back, the kids had many great memories to share with us, and we were so glad they had such a wonderful time while getting to spend precious time with their grandparents.

Peg is an amazing gardener…we’re talking professional, People.  Many of my friends are fans of Peg and her gardening genius and have asked me to take photos of Peg’s gardens.  Here you go!This is one of the garden “areas.”  There are actually more beds that I couldn’t fit in the frame!

The second garden “area.”

The kids loved heading out to the gardens every day to harvest various items for our dinners.
Clara could eat snap peas until she was green in the face!

Peg and Casey got all kinds of fun things in anticipation of their arrival.  Adam loved the T-ball set and was actually quite good!  Other hits included various bikes and big wheels and Phil and Matt’s old tent set up in the front yard.

Serious boy on the tire swing.
I should mention that, aside from the shots of the garden, all of these photos were taken by a friend of Peg’s who came over while Phil and I were gone.  So thankful for all of her great photos and capturing so many great moments and memories.

SO HAPPY in the hammock!

My beautiful girl.

Since the last time we were back home, Clara has become a lot braver.  At Christmas time and again in March, Clara always wanted to go with to do the chores, but would freak out as soon as we got close to the animals and want to be picked up.  This time, she wanted to hold the chickens and sit on Shelley!  I think she was feeling a bit overly confident after her pony rides at the carnival at Daddy’s work.  Shelley is a bit bigger than a pony!  I was proud of her, though – she got on the horse!
May have been rethinking her decision at this point 🙂

Adam and Shelley are great friends.  He gave her lots of pats and told her she was a “good horse.”

Adam also go to ride the “tractor” with Grandpa.

Still can’t believe how much she’s changed.  Such a big girl.

“Here you go, chickens.”

Going for a little hike.

Yummy popsicles!
The first day we were there, Clara loved the idea of the popsicle, but then just let it melt down her arm, body, legs, etc…

Brother loves Sister.

We love you, Grandpa and Grandma!  Thank you for such a sweet time with you.  Can’t wait for the beach in September!

Oh, Canada!

Phil and I were finally able to make it up to my parents’ cabin in Canada over the 4th of July!  Adam and Clara got to spend time at “Camp Grandpa and Grandma Swenson” (post coming soon – they had a blast!), and Phil and I made the journey up North for some much needed relaxation.  We haven’t been up to Canada since just after we were married, so it was so fun to revisit memories and some of our old favorite spots.  Definitely our idea of paradise and a grand time.  Loved hearing the sound of the waves against the shore, especially when going to bed at night.  We hope to bring the kids up soon – perhaps next year when Clara is a little more confident navigating the rocks 🙂

My parents’ place!  It’s on an island (they own half of the island) and it’s awesome since you can walk out the door and go jump in the lake whenever you want!

Cocktail hour out on the point!  I missed the kids a lot and was constantly thinking, “Oh, they would love this,” but it was so nice to be able to have real conversations with the fam.
Phil, Mom, Grace, Dad, and Birdie

Grace…being useful 🙂

Speaking of useful, Grace and I did a lot of kayaking together, and one night, she paddled me around so I could take some photos around the island.  It was pretty comical, but I got some great shots around sunset time.

To prove that I did do some paddling.

Sisters being idiots.  We both fell backwards right after this picture was taken.  Luckily, we did not capsize.

We boated into town for dinner at White Birch Lodge, and of course we had to visit the Lazy Loon (formerly The Big Top).
Did some mini-golfing.

This picture cracks me up!

Haven’t been fishing with my dad in about 7 years.  So awesome to be on his boat again.  There is no one I’d rather fish with.
It felt really hard core since we actually went out in the rain.  It stopped after a bit, and then the fish started biting.

Grace may have been a little bit over fishing at this point.  What do you think?

How does my mom always manage to catch the biggest fish?  Must be the hat.

It was great to get some hang out time with my sister, too.  We spent some luxurious time on the dock with our books and ipods.  Birdie started on the end of the dock with her ball, but kept creeping closer and closer until she was right there with the girls.

Lots more photos, but I tried to choose the best/most representative.  We had a great time and can’t wait until next time!