Hopster #3

We spent a few days at the lake with Grandma and Grandpa this week.  We enjoy tagging along on their vacation so much.  We are so thankful that our little city kids get a chance to spend some time in the great outdoors.

We did a lot of fishing off the dock.

We took a boat ride.

We played at the playground.  Punky was so into going to the playground by herself and playing with the other kids.  She was so happy to meet new friends and be included in their group (a lot of them are cousins).

We played at the beach.

We stayed up late and enjoyed the sunsets.

Buddy caught a bunch of frogs.  Probably close to 6?  They were named (in order of appearance):  Hopster, Hopster #3, Lil' Hoppy and Hoppy Junior.

Punky holding Lil' Hoppy

We convinced Buddy to let all but one go.  Hopster #3 is now at home with us and after two days is still alive...  hungry I'm sure, but alive.

Thanks for helping our kids make some amazing Minnesota summer memories, Grandma and Grandpa!

Meeting the real Leonard Hofstadter

My sister had the week off of work and so the kids and I decided to spend a few days mid-week with her and the family.  Even though I am not much of a dog person, we were excited to meet the newest addition to their family, Leonard Hofstadter.  I am nearly 100% sure I will never own a dog, but this little guy was very cute and well-behaved.

We went to the zoo in the afternoon.  Once again, Buddy was impatient and pushing us along through the exhibits.  We got to see kangaroos hopping across the path , rhinos and camels which I don't think we see in MN.

Apparently 11 year olds are into making funny faces...

Later that night, Buddy convinced Uncle Nate (who dubbed himself "Captain Awesome") to take him fishing.  He got three blue gills and Punky caught one before she headed to the playground.

It was a quick trip but so nice to get to spend time with everyone!

The Fourth

What a beautiful weekend!  The weather was perfect- no rain and not too hot!  We headed to Derek's parent's for the weekend.  Festivities were the same as every year, which is part of the reason I love it so much!

Punky and Buddy dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf for the Kiddie Parade.  We borrowed the wolf hat from a friend and hot-glued some scraps of fake fur onto a t-shirt and an old pair of Punky's shoes.  Grandma sewed the Little Red Riding Hood's cape and I found the dress at Goodwill.  It was a size 2, so it was cut straight down the back and held together with safety pins.  The dress was all white originally, but I painted the top part black and added some trim I had leftover from a German beer girl costume I sewed back in my 20s.  It came together really well!

Punky did a great job walking the parade route.  She smiled and waved to all the people.  Buddy made it about a block before he got pissed off and ran to the side of the road as mad as can be.  The kids were following two teenagers with a sign for the Storybook category.  These girls were throwing out candy and Buddy was convinced he was missing out on all the candy!  He threw down his wolf hat, stomped to the side of the road, and quit!  Luckily, Daddy was there to carry him the rest of the way and reassure him that there would be plenty of candy during the main parade.  What a stinker!

 

After the parade, we headed to Grandma Margene and Grandpa Menno's for the best meal of the year.  Yumm!

We braved the mosquitoes and went to the park to watch fireworks that night.  The kids loved them!  Buddy fell asleep before we even made it onto the highway and he slept all the way until 11:45 the next morning!  I normally would've been worried, but I slept that late too!  It was amazing!

On Saturday, we took it easy.  The kids went swimming.  We went to the park.  Grandma, Auntie and I went shopping at a cute new boutique.  We grilled and then lit off our own fireworks that night.  I apparently suck at nighttime/fireworks photography, so there aren't many photos that turned out.  The light was changing quickly too, and I didn't keep up with it.  Maybe one year, I'll figure it out.

 
It was a fun weekend, always one of the best of the year!  Now if we can just get summer to slow down.  It is moving too quickly!