lake trip {day 2}

Another fun and full day with family-- we are blessed! Breakfast on the deck sweet second cousins Honey and Opal He was all smiles here. Quite a different story when Mike took him in the water to encourage him to swim... She'll only practice swimming with PopPop. Snacktime Jack found someone with whom to wrestle. We keep telling her to stop being so sweet. Doesn't listen, that one. Abigail found a crayfish and gave it to Jet. "I'm 'onna use it as bait!" That boy dreamed about feeshin' every night. Pretty cute kid. Showing her flowers to Honey Asking for a snack-- what else would Iris be doing? She was hoping Tay would come home with us. Until next time!

quick trip to the lake {day 1}

Not a day after we got back from Wisconsin, we turned around and headed to Alpine Lake. At least our bags were already packed. We had just missed Heather and her girls, but we did make it there in time to visit with my Aunt Weegie and her grandson, Jet, Honey, Tay, Roma , and Mimi and PopPop. Though our time there was short (we stayed only one night), it was packed with fun. I only wish we could have stayed longer. He caught THREE! Two small and one big blue gill. Unca Tay time Add a southern accent to that cuteness. This one had requested to go to bed earlier, but we heard her crying in her room. When I went up to check on her, she asked me, "What are you doing outside?" She could see us out the window. So she chose to come down and join the fun.

Iowa- Ryan Family reunion

Better late than never!

A week and a half ago, we had the opportunity to drive out to Iowa from Grandma and Grandpa's house (a three-hour drive) to catch up with some relatives on Mike's side for the Ryan Family Reunion. The kids always enjoy this every-other-year event, as it means a two-night stay in the Mason City Clarion Inn, which is home to an impressive indoor pool. The kicker is that they get to STAY in a HOTEL! This time, we even had interconnecting rooms with Grandma and Grandpa, and Jack and Abigail took turns spending the night in their room. What will they think up next? Ignore the baby confined to the pack 'n' play in the corner. For every reunion, Mike's talented aunts make a great quilt showcasing family members past and present, which one of the eight original siblings (or family) has a chance to win in a drawing. Mike's dad won it this year. A jungle gym once stood here. Uncle Willie now takes its place. Everyone made great progress in the pool that week (thanks mostly to Aunt Ashley). But not enough to get them into the lake the following week without screaming like their lives depended on it while their little cousin flitted about underwater like a dolphin. Gee willikers.