Dropping Off Ellie

 Look who we found in our backyard as we pulled up from our trip from Appleton.  Our niece, Ellie, is staying overnight and Jim's brother brought all the girls with to drop her off.

 Mia and Margaux had so much fun together today.

 They are really starting to discover each other become playmates.

 The boys talked the girls into participating in their favorite pastime.

 Ellie practiced some shots...

and Addie showed us how she dribbles because Ellie shooed the rest of her family away so she could have us all to herself.

Applefest - Our 15 Year College Reunion

Jim's college roommate, Vandy, and his lovely wife hosted our 15 year college friends reunion in Appleton, WI this weekend.  Another friend and his wife, who live just a block away, provided extra space to stay and lots of good food.  The couples came up with a lot of great ideas that were fun for kids and adults and still gave us the opportunity to visit.

 Friday afternoon we met Jim's folks in Wausau and collected Owen.  We then drove over to Appleton just in time for the Timber Rattlers game.  We all purchased grass seats, not knowing how long the kids would all make it.  There was tons of stuff to do.  In fact, to be honest, I never actually watched the game.  There was a giant sandbox for little ones just past the outfield with a bridge that the big boys loved to use as an observation deck, there was a playground, bounce houses & slides, batting cages, basketball shot practice and non-stop contests.  It was almost like a carnival.

The next day was hot, but the guys still found the energy to enjoy a energetic game of croquet.

Our hosts rented a bouncy house, which everyone enjoyed throughout the day.  I just love this picture in particular because Taylor appears to have inherited bouncing form from her mother.

Taylor was awesome with the little kids.  She is 11 now.  Amy was hugely pregnant with her at our wedding.  I have only met her once before.  Getting to know her this weekend was amazing.  It is tremendous the beauty that can grow in 11 years.  Her gentleness, wit, maturity, thoughtfulness, and humor are a wonderful reflection of her parents that we adore.

Things started to get hot in the afternoon, so Nick (the middlest Vandenberg) broke out his water balloons.  Evan struggled the last time we did water balloons, but he was not going to fail this time.  If you can't tell from the photo, he is sneaking up on Amy with a look of pure menace and she was completely unaware.  The Appleton moms got quite wet this afternoon.

Mia decided to sit back and watch the action, taking the role of cautious protector of both the dog and her precious water balloon.

Soon the shooting lessons began.  Taylor helped Mia shoot the water gun and then let Owen squirt her.

After the kids were finally in bed, the adults sat around a fire pit enjoying cocktails.

The drinks were good and the conversation got deep.  I could not tell you what we were talking about, but I'm sure it was monumental.  I just love how my camera made it appear that Vandy's whole neighborhood is on fire or something...

(All people who claim their youth in the 1990's or who are huge fans of SNL, should definitely click on that link.)

Before we headed back to Minny-sota, we swung up to Green Bay.  You can't take your 7 year old within 30 miles of his favorite team's arena and not swing by.

THANKS VANDY & AMY and DAVE & DANA!!!

Summer's End at The Prop.

 On our way back to the cities from our weekend in Manitowish Waters, we met Jim's folks at our property.  Owen will be spending the next week in Eagle River with his grandparents.

 While at the property, the kids all worked together to move this fallen tree.  They moved it past the trees you see in the foreground and plunked it there.  I wondered, to myself, why they were so determined to move this tree.  The only answer I could come up with was that they moved it because they can.

Mia is at an age where she is big enough to explore the woods and make her own discoveries.  She loves the soft squishy moss that covers the forest floor and some trees and rocks.

 She and Grandma had fun exploring the woods, eating snacks, and

 kayaking, of course.

 

Owen enjoyed some paddling too before he left with Grandma & Grandpa.
  Our lake is the perfect size for beginning paddlers.

Intro. to Paddle Boarding

 In addition to all the other fun things we did this weekend while at Ya-ya & Bumpa's, we also got to try the neighbor's new paddle board!  Kristin was most excited about this new water toy and ventured out on it first.  She said it really requires you to be present in the moment.

 Chad thought it would be a great idea to try to go double.  Apparently finding balance and presence with two people, is a lot more complicated.

 Owen gave it a brief try...

 but he started shivering to the point of convulsions and I suggested that he get warmed up first.

 Gus hopped on next and he was a natural.

 Later Jim gave it a try.  You can't see the smirk on his face here, but he thinks he's pretty funny acting as if he is so practiced that he's able to relax enough to meditate on the board.

 

 I finally felt brave enough to give it a try.  I am NOT a water person, but I do enjoy floating on top of the water.  I can honestly say, I was not relaxed at all on the board.  It may have been that I was too cold to get in my suit and I was afraid of falling in with all my clothes on.  It does take your full concentration to find balance.   Every time Jim tried to talk to me, while I was on it, I thought I was going in.  I would like to try it sometime without any distractions.  Hopefully we will get the opportunity again.

Up North With The Franes

 My cousin Kristin and her family joined us up at my folks place this weekend.  Graham had to work, so he couldn't join us.  I can hardly believe he's old enough to have a job!  But three Soon-To-Be Second Graders, Evan and Mia had a great time together.

 We took a Mommy-Daughter kayak ride...

 and had multi-generational fishing lessons off the dock

 Owen and Chad walked the shoreline fishing.

 

Gus gave Mia some lessons in toadstools.

 And, of course, Ya-ya had treats....

She also gave lessons in punting.  I was unaware that she knew anything about punting...

 

 or catching for that matter.  As you can see, this is a talent (or lack there of) that she passed down to me.  

I know this is a horrible picture of both of us, but it just cracks me up.  I read somewhere, that in this increasingly visual society, it's important to include pictures of yourself that are not perfect so that your children see that you don't have to be "at your best" all the time.  True or not, I'm going to go with that on this one.

 The boys really enjoyed beating Ya-ya this weekend.  At football...

 and board games.

 Mia is still gentle on your pride.  She loves having Bumpa read to her.  Much to his relief, I'm sure, this time she chose a new book.

With all the excitement, she wouldn't lay down for an official nap.  When exhaustion overcame her, Jim was the lucky recipient of some snuggle time.

Happy 3rd Birthday Margs!

It's Party Time!

My littlest niece turned three this week.

The Letts aunts & uncles got her a set of Magna-tiles.  These are a favorite at our house.  If you decide to try a set, make sure you splurge on the large set.  It is well worth it.

Margaux & Mia - full fledged toddlers.

Soon they'll be out of the baby swings and pumping like the big kids.

The party was originally planned for a beach, but the weather suddenly took a turn towards fall.  Rain threatened to ruin the day, but Margaux was too excited to cancel.

Ellie insisted they would play, even in the rain.  Luckily, nobody had to make that choice and the towels brought to wipe down equipment, went home dry.

 

The kids all enjoyed each other.  They split up into groups and then split up into different groups.  

 

Being in the middle, Evan and Addie can easily adjust to playing with the older kids or the younger ones or split off altogether and go off into their own world of silliness.  The playground entertained all the kids well beyond the hours we planned to spend there.

 

Just when we thought the day was over, the boys brought out the balls.  They played football with Gina, Adam & Tom.  Then as we were trying to load them into the car, Evan took off with the basketball towards another part of the park.

Last to leave the party, was the birthday girl herself.  Her balloons almost carried her off.  I nearly expected the clouds to part and for her to be lifted up into the sky by the seat of her pants like the Lorax... but she didn't.  She just blew me our traditional kiss goodbye like the adorable little three year old that she is.

Happy Birthday Margs!

XOXO