Jellystone: Year 5

This past weekend was our 5th annual family vaca to Jellystone in Warrens, WI. This place is gigantic and has grown larger each year we've been there. We've been going since Anna was 9 months old and she'll be 5 in November. Wow.

We don't camp (and we don't pretend that we're camping either--don't believe my husband). We rent "villas"--fancy cabins with all the amenities. We all (mom, dad, mike and fam, brenda and fam, Ryan and I) all stay in one. Ryan and I always always get the living room fold out futon since we don't have kids (reason #9 to have children soon). We get the joys of flies buzzing around our heads waking us up in the morning.

In reminisicing about the past years at Jellystone, I realize that I don't remember many of the details and, as a scrapbooker, that bums me out. I made a Jellystone mini-album after Year 1, but stopped after that. I'm annoyed with myself now. So, I'll try to point out some highlights from this year so I can remember...

1) Lil' Ryan was fun and by the end of the weekend he thought the rest of us were okay enough that he could safely wander past us without clinging to his mom or dad's hands. What a mama's boy! I did feel for him though, because I noticed that he couldn't venture far from either of them without someone else scooping him up and bugging him.

2) Linse and Colton both got a ride on Ryan's motorcycle (a very slow, safe ride around the block, in the park). I'm still waiting for my turn. My brother took it for a little ride too.

3) Me, Ryan, and my brother, Mike, all sat around the campfire each night. That was fun. Me and Mike did a little reminiscing about odd things like me remembering where he used to hide his mt.dew and chew cans before school and us both remembering sneaking frozen door county cherries out of the freezer at our first house (weird. I had seriously thought I was the only one who had done that and it was strangely nice to hear that he had done it too). I got to hear that it was Mary who first asked Mike out on a date (and he turned her down the first few times). It was nice to just sit and chat with my brother. 10 years is quite an age difference, but as we all get older, the age gap doesn't seem so big.

4) I was super pumped that Ryan spent the whole weekend with us. In the past he has played in a softball tournament during the weekend, but this time he was there Friday through Sunday and I loved that.

5) I realized (and realize now looking through my pictures) how few I took of Colton. He's at that age, going into 5th grade, where he isn't quite as exciting to photograph as the little ones. It makes me feel bad because I remember being close to that age and realizing that there weren't many pictures of me either. That stinks. What a horrible aunt I am. Still, I also realized this weekend that my lil' Colton, my first nephew, has a very special place with me.

6) Linse is extremely clingy. I realize how not-clingy I am. Ugh. I had to say "Please don't touch me" a few times this weekend. I wasn't mean, I just can't stand it! I realize new things about myself all the time.

7) Me and my sister picked up right where we left off. Brenda and Corey's house got delivered while we were there, so that was pretty exciting for them.

8) I let Anna drive our golf cart. She was on my lap, obviously, but I loved taking her out on it with just the two of us.

9) We all tolerated each other quite nicely. Considering.

10) We saw a skunk while we were sitting at the fire. I've never seen one before. ha.

11) I went down the waterslide. Super fun. Got a nice sunburn too.

12) My sister is a video arcade junky and I never knew it. We went to the arcade twice and "Anna" racked up 500+ tickets each time. I wasn't so bad myself. ;)

13) I don't really like teenagers either. I guess it is safe to say it's a good thing I didn't go into teaching? Teenagers kinda suck.

Now, the fun part. Pictures.

Linse-Loo

It's weird, but I love Ryan and his ring. Makes me happy! :)

We let small children play with fire in our family. ;)I know color popping gets old, but I obviously enjoy this look.
Ry-Guy with his car. Those cars are nearly glued to those little fingers. If Lightning McQueen goes missing--LOOK OUT! This isn't McQueen, but I like it.

Colton won this moustache set at the arcade. Amazing what you can get with 60 tickets!!!

You have to admit, he looks pretty good on it. :)
My papa (who is not a fan of Jellystone)

Ryan playing in the sand. I have an almost identical pic of him dropping grass at Father's Day.

Pile on Mikey.

Such a ham.

We talk about not going back there next year and instead renting a cabin up north. I don't like that idea though. I'm a big fan of traditions, and after 5 years it would be sad to end this one. We couldn't go anywhere else with so much to do... good times were had by all.

Life Artist

I ordered this book Sunday on Amazon and it was delivered today (woah!). I grabbed it as soon as I got home and absolutely read it front to back in a matter of about an hour. It's wonderful. 5 stars. 2 thumbs up. I might even sleep with it under my pillow tonight {KIDDING}. Now, if only it was a weekend, and if only it was a weekend that I wasn't rushing out of town for one thing or another. Geez. What I wouldn't give for a low-key laid back weekend right about now. This summer stuff is exhausting.

Anyway, if you are a scrapbook, or, as Ali Edward's would say, a "Life Artist"...then you better go buy this book on Amazon. There's my plug for the AMAZING Ali Edwards. Have I mentioned I'm a fan???? :)

Bye Bye Birdy???

Here's one of those times where I really wish I wasn't such a softy and I could have just walked on by. I wonder what THAT is like.

Anyway, it's fine, but I went out to move the sprinkler around in the yard and when I walked by the deck (under it) I could hear a flapping sound. So, I simply glance in the direction of the flapping and see a little birdy frantically flapping its little wings...but wait. It was flap-flap-flappin' to no avail. It was stuck. I moved the sprinkler and didn't do anything more about it. I went in and sadly announced to one of the staff working that there was a bird stuck. I wouldn't have asked him to help me and I wouldn't necessarily have gone out there by myself to free the bird. Luckily, our company hires kind and empathetic people, so I didn't have to ask. He opened the patio door to investigate and I happily followed. So, turns out the lil' birdy was stuck in its own nest. When I saw it, it was dangling from it's nest flap-flap-flappin' away. Ryan, the staff working, grabbed a stick to try to free it, but it was really stuck. So, he had to grab a hoe and lower the entire nest to the ground (while I kneeled down on the deck and peeked through the cracks at the bird). This might be a good moment to mention that the sprinkler was still on and Ryan was getting thoroughly soaked by it, with no complaint. I then realized I could at least go shut the darn thing off. Anyway...there must have been wire or something like that intertwined in the nest, because it's poor little foot (claw?) was all tangled up. Ryan, with the expertise of a fine birdy surgeon, had me grab a scissor and he then proceeded to cut the birdy free--he never touched the bird, so hopefully it will be okay.

So, now the bird sits outside, slightly stunned, slightly frantic, with a slightly mangled wing, but it's a free bird. I can't bear the thought of going out to check on him and finding him D-E-A-D.

Wouldn't everyone have done the same? Phew. It's exhausting being such a bleeding heart. :)

Project!

Last post for the night!

I have driven by this little dingy shop in Frontenac, MN at least 100 times. Today I stopped after being tempted by the old painted furniture sitting outside.

I have a new favorite store!!!

It's a strange shop...it has purses from New York and old window frames. Jewelry and painted chairs. Old and new. Hence the name.... Vintage & Vogue. The sign painted on the outside advertises supernatural books, antiques, and jewelry. You should never judge a book by it's cover. ;)

Anyway, this is one of the treasures I found inside. There were 2 options and I opted for this one. I'm slightly leaning towards calling and having them save the other one for me too. We'll see. This was only $9 and the other one was $12. Mine is smaller, but here's my inspiration for what to do with it: http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/weekend_creative/index.html

Here's mine:

Plus, I bought 3 old drawers that were painted and distressed. Love 'em. On the way out of the shop, a couple stopped me and asked what I was going to do with the drawers. I told them I wasn't sure yet, but that I had an hour and a 1/2 drive left to think about it before explaining to my husband why I needed them... I'm still working on it. :) They're cute though,that's for sure.

So anyway, next time you're in between Red Wing and Lake City, stop at this cute little store right next to the Whistle Stop Cafe in lil' ole Frontenac MN for all kinds of wonderful treasures!

Summer

Where in the world is the summer going??? I have been taking almost every Friday off from work this summer so far and am only working 3 1/2 days this week. I can NOT believe that it is the end of July alreay.

This week: my fam vacation to Jellystone
Next weekend: back home for a friend's party and another anniversary party

Eek. It will be winter before we know it...I can't even imagine!

Shake your head in disapproval...

...it's all "ours"....

Reunion 08

This past weekend was Ryan's favorite time of year...his family reunion. I'm not being sarcastic either. It's his "happy place"--camping for the whole weekend. This was my 8th family reunion....phew! The weather held out for the most part, but I only held out for one night. I stayed at my parents' house on Saturday night instead of camping again. I'm a wimp. :)

It was a good time...even though I didn't win the family quilt again. Maybe next year?

I had dinner at MOA with my friend Josh tonight (who I've known since kindergarten!!!). It was great conversation again making me realize that old friends are the best (Freshman year was a long time ago too Christy!).

Again, it left me feeling sentimental and such. Boy I've had that feeling so often lately its really eery. Yesterday I dug out my elementary school yearbooks and read through my middle and high school diaries. Now THAT is true humor...boy was I dramatic (and in LOVE with someone new every other month practically).

Good stuff. Good day. Again, life is pretty darn good.

Barista

I can almost add "barista" to my job description! Last night we had a talent show at our new coffee shop, and the lead barista gave me a lesson on how to make mochas, lattes, americanos, frappes, etc. How exciting is that??? We also found out that our coffee shop is actually open to the public, so, if you find yourself on Rice Street, you should REALLY come check it out. Seriously. It's the equivalent of a Caribou or Starbucks, but way cheaper. I'm in love. It's a dangerous thing to have in our office, that is for sure. Here are some pics of it:

Livin Life

The last couple of weeks have been really great! Nothing remarkable, just really good LIFE. :)

We spent this past weekend in LaCrosse/Stoddard for the 4th. By "we" I mean me, Ryan, and Nicky C. The 3 of us spent Friday with old friends, Saturday on the river (with old friends) then at Riverfest that night, and Sunday at my family reunion (Yes. All 3 of us.).

I feel like I have been "down memory lane" for the past 2 weeks. That weekend at Brad's wedding hanging out with everyone took me back, and then this weekend kept it going. Phew. I feel really strange. It's a good strange though. Can't wait to do it again.

Other than that, I have a busy and fabulous week at work this week. We have the Grand Opening of our Private Coffee Club (for employees only) at the office this week and I'm heading up a bunch of things. I'm thrilled by the craziness and the variety. I thrive on that. Once again, I love my job.

So, not only am I livin life these days, but I'm also LOVIN life these days.

Yes. We're wearing clothes. :)