Perhaps, like me, you are a little stressed out, maybe even a bit grumpy (or a lot grumpy) about the end of summer and the preparations for fall and its relentless schedule.  Maybe these flowers will cheer you up?  I loved seeing them in person, and just editing them on…

We were home just 1 day after the cabin, and then left the next day to go camping with friends and neighbors.  This year we headed up the North Shore to Cascade River State Park.  Some of us arrived on Wednesday, some on Thursday, and we all stayed until Saturday.…

He was NOT a fan of my camera!  In fact, every time he saw me with my camera he turned his back to me and screamed.  It  was so funny I had to take some extra pictures of him just to amuse myself.   I’m starting to wonder how many…

It was decided that some people would take an evening sunset fishing trip out on the lake.  Many children, three grown ups and a dog climbed aboard the pontoon.  Now, the first thing you need to know is that the pontoon is an old and crumbling, yet appreciated boat.  You…

At the cabin hair gets wet in the lake and blown in high speed wind on jetskiis.  Showers are optional and maybe a bit scarce, so hair gets interesting.  Auntie Dot swoops in to save the day with her mad-hairbraiding skills.  She can do every kind of braid in existence:…

Possibly my favorite part of our cabin weekend this year was that my oldest niece brought her trumpet!  She happens to be a terrific trumpet player and was practicing some important music for the start of school.  She actually plays Great Grandpa McGinty’s trumpet, which was handed down to her…

Back by popular demand:  the annual cardboard boat race!  This year we divided the crew into three teams:  two teams mixed multi=age children and teenagers, and one team of grown ups.  Grandma Kathy and Papa Richard observed.  Auntie Amy Iowa was the unofficial moderator.  Uncle Don was the duct tape…

Ranking high on my cuteness scale:  three small kids wearing almost matching life jackets out for a slow ride on the hot dog.  Cousin time doesn’t get much better.