Summer in the neighborhood

The boys have been having a great time this summer, enjoying a few weeks with Adam after baseball ended and before football started. He did a great job finding fun activities for the boys to do each day like swimming, biking, going to the fair or library, working on projects at home, exploring trails and ponds, etc.

They've also enjoyed playing with kids in the neighborhood, drawing with chalk, playing cops and robbers, and enjoying life outdoors. Here are a few random pictures from this month.

Watching cartoons

4-wheeler ride from neighbor Jodi

Watching the "hot baloon!"

Cohen loves pushing the plasma car.

Ryan drawing Angry Birds scenes with sidewalk chalk.

Playing at the park

Pool time

Batter up!

Hooked!

On Sunday, my parents came over to enjoy some of the fish Adam and Ryan caught on vacation. After dinner, my dad, Adam and Ryan took his boat to Paullina. They didn't have much luck fishing, but Ryan sure hooked a big one as he was pulling back to cast!  Adam felt something hit his ear (the weight) and grabbed the line before Ryan could cast out. Ryan's hook was embedded in Adam's ear/head.  After going back to shore and checking it out in the mirror, a deputy, lifeguard and several bystanders reported that they'd never seen anything like it and weren't sure what to do.
I got a text from Adam saying "We're on our way home and may need to go to the emergency room when we get there...Ryan hooked my ear."  Great.

When he got home, we agreed it was quite the fashion accessory!

We hemmed, hawed, and Googled for a while, trying to come up with ways to get the hook out ourselves, but because the position of the hook, we couldn't push down on the other end to get the right angle. In case you're ever in a situation like this, here is the suggested method.  After trimming the feather and worm off and trying to ice it, we decided it was best left to a professional, so off to the ER he went.

The doctor and all the nurses agreed it was a predicament and after numbing it up, were able to pull it out. A band-aid, tetanus shot, Rx for antibiotics, and I'm sure a hefty bill later, he was out and was pretty much pain-free by the next day.

Great story to remind Ryan about when he's older!

Backyard Camping

We've been promising Ryan that he could have a camp-out in the backyard, so this weekend we decided it was time...for Adam to do it (haha).

Stoking the "campfire"

Cohen selfie

"Helping" set up the tent

Hangin' out

Enjoying roasted hot dogs and s'mores

Ready for bed!

After staying up to catch fireflies, Ryan had a great time sleeping in the test and I'm thankful that Adam was a good sport to sleep out there with him while Cohen and I enjoyed our regular beds. It did end up raining during the night and they were up with the sun, but Ryan had a great time. Of course, now he wants to do "real" camping, not in his backyard, but not sure this momma can handle that. Maybe Adam can do a "guys camping trip" when they are older.

Vacation: The Cabin

We were blessed to be able to spend 2 nights at Adam's Aunt and Uncle's cabin in Vergas, MN. This is one of Ryan's favorite places in the world! 

Cohen, Grandpa, and Hannah waiting for the boat to return.

Adam loved fishing several times per day. That's our supper in the net!

Cohen loved Hannah the dog and the two rag-doll cats

Going tubing!

Ready to go faster?

Ryan became an expert at baiting, casting, hooking, and reeling in his own fish.

Ryan caught the biggest fish one day and the first fish the next day.

One of many catches all by himself!

Who's driving this thing?

Driving with Ashley

A boy on the dock

Cohen's first boat ride!

Relaxing on shore

Grandma and Cohen on the boat

Pretty sunset on Long Lake

Topping the first night off with s'mores

Yum!

Putting his own lifejacket on. Something is not lining up here.

Throwing a toy for Hannah

Go get it, Hannah!

Swimming for her rope

Ryan climbed into the boat after breakfast, baited up, and started fishing himself.

Is this one bigger than your fish, Daddy?

We had beautiful weather during the day (a little thunderstorm knocking out power at night)

Cohen liked the dock a lot.

Deep reflections with Grandpa

I think I could handle life on a lake.

Best 4-year-old fisherman we know!

Thanks for the great vacation, Connie and Chuck!

Vacation: Bramble Park Zoo

Zoom in to see lots of fuzzy little ducklings.

After eating lunch, we traveled about 50 miles North to Watertown and checked into our motel, then decided to check out the local zoo. We weren't really sure what to expect (I guess I was thinking along the lines of the Sioux Falls Zoo), but it was even smaller than expected. The only reason we were there longer than an hour was that the boys liked the indoor fish aquariums so we went back and let them stay in there as long as they wanted. Here are a few pictures from our visit:

A bear and a barrel

Looking in on one of the many bird exhibits

Indoor taxidermy Elephant head.

Cohen liked the giant fish on his level.

There were a few painted cutouts throughout.

One bored primate.

Giant nest...no more info provided.

Puma!

Sting Ray

Lighted Terry Redlin images in the fish room.

Stuffed Rhino and termite mound

Measuring wingspan

After the zoo, we went swimming in the hotel pool and ordered pizza. Cohen was so exhausted that he easily went to sleep in the Pack N Play at 8, even with the rest of us still up. If you're staying in Watertown, I do recommend the Quality Inn-it was a very large room with a fridge and microwave. The pool isn't anything special, but the included breakfast was pretty good and we had great service. I can't say I recommend the zoo, but it was fine for our kids. Maybe when they are a little older we can do Thunder Road or something else in this town.