Camping in Zumbro Falls, MN

We try to plan a fun trip with the Hoppe's every year.  Last year we did the Dells and this year we did a weekend of camping in Zumbro Falls.  We have been there before and really like it because you can do a short tubing run right behind your campground all day long and mostly because there are very few mosquitoes.  We got a late start leaving Friday night because we were unsure if we should go.  It looked as though strong storms would be coming through the area and being in a tent, we didn't know if that would be safe.  We decided to go after watching the weather on the news that night.  We got there and set up our brand new Christmas present, a tent!

The tent worked perfectly and was very spacious for our family. The Hoppe's had their fish house and brought along a picnic tent.  We had a nice space.  After setting up the tent and getting the kids to sleep, we stayed up and had a fire.  We went to bed at about 1:00 Am and the storms started at 1:25 AM.  Fortunately, the boys slept through the entire storm.  I was pretty much the only one awake the entire time, thank goodness.  I peeked out a few times to see the Hoppe's flashing their lights at us to come over and sleep with them.  I would have called them, but neither of us had reception.  We stuck out the tent and did great!

The next morning, we were on breakfast duty with pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage.  Andy even tried to pull out some of his Benihana moves with the eggs.  It was entertaining.

The Hoppe's brought some bubbles to play with and Alex found some friends at the nearby campsite to play hide-and-seek with.

Sam pulled out his fishing rod/reel and tried to catch a few fish, but as Alex says they only saw one dead one.  But, Alex was loving it!

Before lunch we bought our wristbands, put the life jackets on and headed down the river in the tubes.  Alex loved his new life jacket, Emily and Aiden? Not so much.

It was quite cute. They seemed to be talking in their own language. Aiden would show Emily where to pull his life jacket off and Emily would show Aiden how to get her wristband and life jacket off.  They didn't seem to be happy campers, but funny enough that they were distracting each other.

After the river, we had some lunch courtesy of the Hoppe's and put the kids down for a nap.  Which went surprisingly better than I had anticipated. 

Little Man did not touch his sandwich, but dove right into those chips.  Oh well, we are on vacation, Mom!

 

The both slept like this for hours...

 

While the kids are asleep, the mamas will rock the river and the dads will sit on the bank and watch people rock the river...Both parties content.

The kids woke up and after a short shower we had a delicious dinner!  The shower left some puddles that my boys enjoyed fully.

A quick little shower later for all and s'mores it was before bed time.

How do you eat a s'more?

We went to bed a little earlier tonight, maybe 11:30 and the storms started about the same time again tonight only this time the wind came too.  It was fine, when we woke up about 6:30 the tent was already dry.  We quickly packed up to get going and just as we were putting the last few things away, it poured again!  

Although the boys slept great both nights they were exhausted and took great naps on Sunday.  We got home, took baths/showers, put on our pajamas and didn't leave the living room all day!  

Lucky to have such a beautiful family and friends!

Getting Into Summer

As you may be able to tell by all my posts, June has been so busy.  I have no one to blame but myself.  I planned everything close to the beginning of the summer so we could relax and enjoy the rest of the summer.  Regardless, we are having fun!  Here are some snapshots of other things we have been up to including dentist appointments, playing in the sprinkler, with water guns, watching cousin Joe play ball, the water table, walks at Cleary and Lakefront, Canterbury, a program at Church, visiting the farm, playing ball, playing around the house, dinner dates, and s'mores.

Here's to a great summer!

Kingdom Rock!

This past year Alex took part in our church's Sunday school program.  AND, his awesome cousin, Gracie, was his teacher!  He loved seeing her at Church.  We missed quite a few classes during the winter months due to unforeseeable family circumstances, but picked back up with it as soon as possible. 

I took the opportunity to sign Alex up for Vacation Bible School through our Church this year when it presented itself. It was every day for Monday through Thursday from 9-11:30 AM.  They also had a presentation on Thursday night at 7 pm to wrap up the week.  Alex loved going and Aiden and I had some fun times together too.  

I was so impressed by the Vacation Bible School program this year. Their theme was Kingdom Rock: Where Kids Stand Strong for God.  The questions that Alex was coming home with made me so happy.  Questions like, "Mom, did you know that we should pray to God whenever we are thankful".  Or, "Mom, will I get to meet Great Grandpa Johnson in Heaven some day?" 

I received an email every day that detailed what the kids had done that day and what their goal was for the day.  They had a snack, video, craft, lab, game and story each day. Also, each day the kids brought different monies with them for offering.  Monday was pennies, Tuesday nickels, Wednesday dimes, Thursday quarters and Thursday night paper money (checks or bills).  Before Thursday night's program the kids had raised over 900 dollars to help kids in Kallikurichi, India to upgrade their water supply and its toilets. We prayed for these kids each night and on Thursday night Alex saw the pictures of the toilets they currently have and the drinking water they have there.  He was very sad that kids had to drink/go to the bathroom like that.  We are lucky.

On Thursday night they wrapped up the program with their final skit of Wally and Winnie (two silly knights-in-training) and Queen Hakuna Matata.  It was very silly and the kids loved it!

We also watched a slideshow with pictures and music from the week.

My favorite part was the music.  The kids were given a CD of music about a month ago and then they continued to practice and learn the songs/motions during the week.  They performed them Thursday night.  It was fun and entertaining to watch.

Here's the group singing.  These kids are amazing! Love my little Alex to pieces.

 

How Sweet It Is

If you had told me a year ago all the changes that would have happened this past year in our family I would have called you a liar.  But, God works in miraculous ways and I am so thankful to be able to say that my dad is on the road to recovery.  He is one incredibly strong and brave person. 

To celebrate my dad's birthday this year we all got together to go to Canterbury Downs.  This used to be a place we would be together a lot.  My parents had part ownership in a few horses during my years growing up and we would frequent the track a lot during the summer months.  We haven't been there as a family for a few years now.  It was nice. Uncle Luke even placed a bet for Alex, he didn't win, but he definitely cheered on that horse. You know, the red one?

It just so happened that the day we ended up going was family day.  They had face painting, pony rides, a petting zoo and an open playground.  The kids had so much fun and were so tired by the end.  (I don't know if Uncle Luke will be riding in the car with us for a while now...)

He was not about to get his face painted, but would allow her to draw a horse on his hand...

Happy birthday, Dad! I am so glad we were able to celebrate together and so incredibly proud of you.