Cooking and Crafts

This is Ellie's craft area- you might find her sewing, making cards, or scrapbooking. My favorite part of this picture is that she has organized her work space using recycled boxes.

In the pictures below Ellie had just made silly puddy.  Then she showed me how you can blow it up with a straw- who knew.

While in Hinckley, Ellie learned to make banana pancakes.  Here she is cooking supper for us- and yes she can make pancakes better than her own mom.

 Although I don't have pictures to add, tonight with minimal help from me, Ellie made play dough.  I love how creative that girl is!

A trip to Hinckley

One of the kids and my favorite summer activities is to head back to Hinckley to visit a few of our friends.   All of our friends are so kind to offer to host us, but this year we ended up at Amanda and Jim's as Jim was gone and they head extra space for us to stay.  Although we never see everyone we want to see, we did get to visit with many friends.  Thursday was a stop in North Branch to visit my very first co-teacher Lorna.  Then off to Hinckley- slumber parties, watching a children's play, apples-to-apples games at Jill's, lots of chatting and playing with special friends.  Sunday we stopped in Cambridge to see our wonderful neighbors Pete and Janeece, and then almost as quickly as the trip began it was time to head back home.

I love Sam's face- he was so excited to be with his best friends Griffin and Levi. 

Anna, Ellie, and Avery- it is like they have never been apart when they get together.

Oh darn, we all had to help hold baby Makynlee.

Sam and his buddy James.
 



                                                       

                                                                  Even had fun at the rest stop on the way home.

Boy Time

Sam, his dad, uncle Tony, and Grandpa Randy took in a monster truck show and a demolition derby this summer- just a couple of Sam's most favorite things in the world!

Mower County Fair

I don't know if it's my kids or I who have more fun at the fair.   We thought we'd just go for an hour or two.  HeHe- here are a few things we did during our six hour trip. 

A little camping

We were able to have a family weekend at Grandma and Randy's camper.  The weather was beautiful and we all enjoyed ourselves- relaxing, visiting, playing games, and of course eating camping food.  Grandpa Randy even tried out his campfire popcorn popper. Yummy!!

Sam is bringing the cooler back to the truck on the way home.

One of Sam's favorite camping activities if vising with Uncle Chop.

A friendly game of bean bag toss

Getting ready for the game

Granite Falls Fun 2

After Ellie had a few days alone with Grandma and Grandpa Sam and I joined the fun.  Here are a few of the high lights-


Sam and Grandpa doing bumper boats

A little rest before minigolf

Sam will want you to note his own mom was in last place and Grandma was in 1st.

Popcorn stand night

Fun at the Chippewa County Fair-yep boxing with your sister

We even fit in some swimming with Emma and Joelle

On our way home we spent part of the day with Aunt Margie.  We played at parks, played toys at her house, at supper at Pizza Ranch, and of course had to bring home a "care package" of cookies (see the bag in Sam's hand.)  We loved every minute with our family and friends!

Granite Falls Fun

Our summer traveler was Ellie. After being home a for a few weeks- enough to play with friends and get into swimming lessons, She was off for a vacation in Granite Falls. I think she and grandma may have had a great time!!!

 

They sewed matching pajama pants.

Together they sewed two cinch bags, one backpack, two snap bags, a wallet, and the pj pants.  I think they were "sewing machines!"