September 2014: End of Summer Shinanigans

Yesterday was 82 degrees and sunny. Today is 50 degrees, windy and cold. I choose to remember the summer weather. And so, here were some of our end of summer Shinanigans that help me remember those better-weather days. 

Our annual experience at the Minnesota State Fair (and let it be known, that this year, the MN state fair beat out the Texas State fair in the best State Fairs in the country. Yep. MN was #1.). Michael's mom was also able to visit for a long weekend, so we had lots of fun with her!

A last-minute but awesome family get-together at my cousin Heather's new cabin...(lots of fun with cousins, games, friends, etc.)

Tractor Rides with Cousin Brady (the girls LOVED this...I think it was 1.5 hours before they were willing to stop).

Gopher game with 1 kid. We left Olivya at home and just took Adelyn to the gopher game and she LOVED it!! (Cotton Candy...Goldy the Gopher sightings...what's not to love!)

Fun trips to the MOA while Grammy Carmack was in town

Meeting new babies and giving lots of snuggles (this is our friends Sarah & Mark's baby Lucy and she is the cutest little peanut ever!)

Trips to the Brainerd Zoo....

Until Next year...we will keep these memories in our hearts and minds to get us through the winter that is soon to come:) Cherishing the memories of Summer 2014! 

Sept 2014: A few last Summer Camping Trips

We got out camping about 4 times this year...not quite as many as I would have hoped, but more than we have in the past few summers, so I'll take it! There's just something so great about camping...being entertained by the great outdoors, a slower pace of life, making lots of memories, and just living in a more simple way for a few nights.

One of our last camping trips brought us to McCarthy State Park just for a night, where we camped with my cousins (the Ericksons!!!) while they were partaking in their annual church camping weekend. It was a beautiful weekend, and the beach was to die for if you have toddlers as we do...I think we spent a majority of our days at the beach, while taking a few breaks here and there for the occasional ice cream treat, a quick hike, and enjoying the church campfire, and of course to eat and cook some great food over the fire!

And two weeks later, we took a longer camping trip (4 days this time) to Camp Vanasek, where I successfully planned and lead a family camping trip for my church (1st Annual, as I deemed it...). We had a great time. Another great beach...fun getting to know families from my church on a different level...lots of kids to play with each other, and even some early morning crafts that I planned (check out the bed-head! Love it!)

Overall, it's a great way to end our summer, as we were already feeling the pressures of fall hitting us.  It was so great to have one last long weekend of camping and getting away from it all (even though I was leading this camping trip...I kept it pretty casual with only a few planned activities). 

July 2014: Berry Pickin and Grass Rollin' (Summer Lovin')

We've had a beautiful Summer this summer and it has been so nice to have a yard and a garden and be able to be outside lots this summer due to the very nice (not too hot...not too humid - most of the time) summer! Here's just a few things that we have been up to this summer...

We've spent lots of time in our garden (more on this to come later)...

We went berry picking one day (on the hottest day of the summer, so unfortunately, we didn't last very long).

We've found some hills to roll down...

And We've spent many days enjoying the local parks...

And as we near the end of summer, I am thankful for the little things in life. The spending time together as a family moments. The summer weather. Living a crazy life and still finding time for these small things is what makes life great! Hope everyone has had a chance to enjoy the small [and great] things this summer too!