Camping

We have been staying really busy this summer. We have been camping, catching some Canaries games, attending some Parks and Recs events, and hanging out with neighbors and friends. It's been a great summer!

On Tuesdays and Thursdays in July, the Parks and Recs department has been putting on pop-up soccer games. Basically, you can bring your kids, and they play soccer with other kids. It's free, and pretty laid back, and the kids love it. So, we've done that a couple times this summer.

Last weekend, we were going to go camping, but then we decided against it. Instead, the kids had a weekend trip to Grandma Barb and Grandpa Jim's and John and I had a weekend at home to ourselves. It was kind of strange to have a kidless weekend, but it was kind of nice. We did some shopping for things we needed for the house, worked on some home projects, and took in a Canaries game. It was a great weekend!

This past Tuesday evening, we had a grill-out at the Hinner's house. The kids had been begging to go over there so they could play Pokemon cards with the boys and jump on the trampoline and just run around and play. All the kids had a really good time. And us adults really enjoyed a beautiful evening relaxing and visiting on the patio.

This past weekend we had an extended camping trip to Yankton. Jim and Barb brought the kids up on Thursday evening to the campsite, and then John and I came Friday evening. We had a ton of fun at the campsite.

We did a lot of swimming, and I mean a lot. The kids swam for 4 hours during one trip to the beach. They were little fish and they loved it. We also did some boating and tubing, which the kids really enjoyed. They got to ride on a super mabel which they thought was really fun.

We also did a lot of biking, played some frisbee, cooked some good food, crafted, colored, and let the kids go the playground by themselves. We also bought some new hammocks which were a hit with the kids.

On Sunday evening, Jeff and Sam came to eat supper with us, and then we all went Go Karting. It was a really fun time. The kids even got to drive some Go Karts on the small track, and they did a really good job. I was impressed with how well they could drive the Go Karts. After all the fun, we stopped by the Dairy Dock for some ice cream. It was a great ending to a fun day!

We also checked out the Gavin's Point Dam, and just enjoyed relaxing. It was a great 4 days of camping, but we were all ready to come home. We left Tuesday at noon, and the kids and I had dentists appointments at 3pm. Everyone's teeth looked great, and then we went to Elliott's preschool introduction to sports where he got to play some basketball, T-ball, and soccer. It was really fun to watch him. We finally got home at 7:30pm, and then worked on unpacking and laundry. What a busy weekend!!

We also got stopped in our yard last night by a guy selling home surveillance. It was a good deal, and we were thinking about getting some more security at home anyway, so we purchased some and those cameras are getting installed later today. I'm excited about it, and I think it is a good investment for us.

Today is a catch up day at home, and possibly a Canaries game this evening. And then back to work and reality tomorrow. But, I guess I can handle a 2 day week.

We've had some great family time this summer, and I can't wait to keep it going. It' been a great summer, even with a pandemic going on.

Pop up Soccer 

Daycare Crafts

Camping in Yankton 

Helping start the campfire 

Hiking 

Tubing fun!

 Emma and Elliott, the Hobos 

Go Karts!

Admiring their Kabobs 

Just reading in a Hammock 

4th of July Festivities

Wow, what a weekend. We just got home from being up at Diamond Lake all weekend. It was a hot, busy, crazy weekend. But it was fun!

John and I both took Thursday off. So once we were packed up and cleaned the house a little we were on our way. We made it to the campground at around 4pm. We got unpacked and then ate a nice supper with mom and dad. Emma was dying to go swimming, so we headed to the beach and she swam her little tail off. Elliott wasn't feeling it, so he stayed on shore and threw rocks in and played in the sand. They had a blast. We finished the night with a fire, and then put some tired little kids to bed. The first night, both kids slept in the tent with John, they thought it was awesome. I enjoyed the air-conditioned camper.

Friday was a fun day. It was very hot and sticky. It was in the 90s with very high humidity. So, after a big breakfast, we took the boat out on the lake. It felt amazing to swim in the lake. The lake temp was 84 degrees. It was amazing. The kids loved swimming in the middle of the lake again in their life jackets. The jumped in again and again. Then, they both went tubing for the first time. And they both loved it! They had great big smiles on their face the entire time they were out there tubing. I was so proud of them. They did such a good job. After swimming a little more, we got off the lake and just enjoyed some time at the campsite. In the evening, we watched some fireworks, had a fire, and then called it a night as everyone was wore out.

Saturday was the actual 4th of July. Ryan took us out on the boat in the late morning, and we had another great morning of tubing and swimming in the lake. It was really nice and relaxing. After heading back to shore, we cleaned up and then got ready for the carnival. Mom and Dad's friends at the lake put on a really good carnival for the kids. There was mini corndogs, cotton candy, root beer floats, mini donuts, and popcorn. Then there were carnival games complete with prizes and candy. And also a clown, balloons, and face painting. It was pretty amazing and the kids had an absolute blast. It was also super hot and a little miserable, but it was fun to see the kids having so much fun.

After the carnival (complete with a pinata) we had a potluck with everyone. We were kind of stuffed from all the other food, but the potluck went over pretty well. There was a lot of good food and it was fun to hang out with everyone. Once we stuffed ourselves too full, we headed back to the camper to chill and relax. And then Emma wanted to swim again. So mom, John and I headed to the beach with Emma. We all swam and floated on the water to cool off as it was still so hot out. We swam until around 8:30 and then finally got Emma out of the water, cleaned up, and back for the outdoor movie they were showing at one of the campers. That didn't last long with the kids, so we all went down to the lake to watch fireworks for awhile. By 10:30 pm everyone was very tired, and we called it a night.

Today was a typical travel home and unpack day. The kids are happy to be back at home and are running around with the neighbors. We are unpacked, working on some laundry, and dreading Monday morning. But, I am ready to get back to work, back to the gym, and back to a normal schedule.

Happy 4th of July!!

Emma's new desk. AKA Art center. 

Camping!

Tubing for the first time!

Women's league softball team