The pool & the birthday boys.

It just so happened that the week I was in MN it was super hot, go figure. One day we took all 5 boys to the public pool. Things have changed a bit since I was a kid, it's not just a pool anymore. There were a few diving boards, 2 water slides, a huge kiddie area and a zip line. Ty and Will even got me to go down the waterslide with them.

Luke diving.

Mason jumping.

One night we had a lovely dinner at Jake & Kari's to celebrate Jake & Eric's birthday. Jake is a great cook and Kari made a super yummy dessert.

Cousins & bunnies

Mace, Ty, Will, Nate & Luke....so darn cute & love each other to pieces.

Ty caught two baby bunnies in Karen's back yard and Eric made a little box for them. After talking to a few people we decided it was best to let them go & hope they find it back to their mom and away from the dogs. We had them all sit in a circle to take turns saying goodbye.

But first daddy gave them a talk on the proper handling of baby bunnies.

They were actually super cute. Until they bite or poop on you I guess....

More cabin-tubing & fishing....

Ty seems to be a boy after his daddy's heart.  He could sit for hours on the dock fishing (with Cali right next to him 'fishing' too).

Ty & Will doing what boys do. 

Cali is in lab heaven up at the cabin, never gets out of the water, fishing.  I haven't seen her get anything yet but it certainly is not for lack of trying on her part.  

Ty & Will showing their catch.  

Sunset on the lake in N. Minn.  Doesn't get much prettier.  

Grandma Karen always has the goods.  She organized a game of bingo where everyone is a winner and had this lavish display of kid's goods.  They could not wait to take their turn at the goodie table.  

More of Luke & Mace tubing.  

And taking a dip in the lake..they loved every minute.  

Paul Bunyon Land

Year 3 of Paul Bunyon Land and the kids still love it, rides, fried food & animals to pet, what's not to love???

Ty & Will were all over the climbing wall.

Luke tried to give his shirt to a cow for a snack....

We all rode the very jerky, seeming somewhat unsafe roller coaster, not my fave.

Luke & Mace, the only ones brave enough to go talk to Paul Bunyon & sit on his shoes. As you enter, the person at the front calls in the names of the kids and talks to them. A bit creepy but still kind of fun.

Up at the cabin

The day I got to MN grandma took the boys to the cabin in Brainard & Eric & I followed the next day. We spent 3 great days out on the lake, at Paul Bunyon Land and just hanging out. The weather was great and the boys had a blast on the tube. Will & Nate got to stay & hand out too.

Wrestlemaina on the boat, always a nice thing!!!

Mason was happiest sitting on daddy's lap driving the boat.

Little Nater-such a cutie!!!

Grandma got the boys a tattoo toy......my skinny boy loved it.

Part 3: MoA

Eric & Karen bravely took the boys to the Mall of America. Lots of rides, games & fun.

They keep asking if they can go again....who doesn't love the MoA??? (ok, besides Eric?)

Part 2: Walker MN

Eric & Karen took the boys up North to Walker MN where Grandma's Karen's dad built a cabin on Lake Howard years ago.  It has 2 bedrooms, a kitchen & an outhouse.  They had a blast fishing and hanging out by the lake. 
Checking stuff out on the dock.
Mace & his catch. 
Brothers.

A week without mom, part 1: Itasca Park, MN

Eric & Karen took the boys up to Walker MN for a few days and then went over to Itasca Park where Kari, Jake, their boys & lots of their family were camping for the week. This is Ty pondering crossing the Mississippi River.
Mason & Luke halfway across

The actual act of maneuvering across the beginning of the Mighty Mississippi, it was done with much care & skill.

Eric & the little ones at the top of a hundred foot fire tower. So green & pretty.

Something that would NOT have happened if Mommy had been there.....
Tree climbing in Karen's yard. Their cousins have a tree house too and Mason asked if we could build one, I had to tell him that palm trees don't leave much to the imagination by way of tree houses.

BWCA 2009

2009 Boundary Waters-Eric, Ty, Robb, Zack & Dain.  Ty's 4th year out there & they had a blast.  A bit of a battle with mosquitos & rain but still another successful trip.

Ty & his catch. 

Making camp along a lake.
Ty got to see all sorts of nature again this year, little frogs included. 
Eric & his catch.
Dain, Zack & Cali out for a ride. 
Cali keeping dutiful watch over the fish in the livewell.  
Ty posing again,  Eric is so happy he has a son that loves to fish as much as he does!!

If you don't have a playground, you make one. 
BWCA  (Boundary Water Canoe Area) is a large area between the Minnesota/Canada boarder.  Canoes only, pack in/pack out.  Pretty much just nature & it shows.