2 weeks in the UP...

Sorry for the delay in posting...I was a little overwhelmed with how many pictures we took while up at Covenant Point for two weeks and how to choose which ones to post. Well, here they are, my favorites from our trip. Our first week was our vacation. We stayed with Kyle and Jenny and ate over at the Stroms cabin with Nana, Papa and Uncle Dave. The second week was Winnetka Covenant Family Camp.

Playing baseball at Nana and Papa's

This is how the boys traveled around.

Monday, August 3rd

Dinner at the Hudson's

Appetizers on the dock with Linnea, Sarah, Laurel and Verl

A family tractor ride through the woods.

We could have used this for a Christmas card except that there will be another little one joining us before then!

Thanks Jack and Verl. Our trip to the UP wouldn't have been complete without a stop at the Hudson's.

Tuesday, August 4th

Matching outfits.

The boys LOVE their Uncle Dave.

Hiking in the woods.

Wednesday, August 5th

We borrowed this Waldo puzzle from a friend and Caleb loved it. We must have put it together at least 6 times.

The boys are so high up on Uncle Kyle's shoulders.

We took a little walk with Kyle and Jenny and they showed us were the raspberry bushes were. The boys couldn't get enough.

Erik showing the boys how to set up a tent...Erik and Caleb camped out in the back 40 that night.

I couldn't believe my little guy was big enough for a camp out with daddy. They had so much fun as you can see. Caleb slept great and couldn't stop talking about how much fun it was. They are hoping to camp out in our yard before it gets too cold.

Reading before bedtime.

Thursday, August 6th

Goodmoring!

They stopped for more raspberries on the way back.

Friday, August 7th

A visit to Duff's farm.

Sunday, August 9th

Uncle Kyle

Jimmy and Nathan were so great with our boys. Here they are showing them how to use these really cool water guns.

Monday, August 10th

Jackson started sleeping in a big boy bed while up here because we didn't think he would do a pack and play anymore. He did great and often wanted to sleep with his hat on!

Dinner tonight was the start of Famliy Camp, followed by a campfire and s'mores

Tuesday, August 11th

Painting in Arts and Crafts

Yes, Colby was there too. I think he looks like such a stud in this picture.

Wednesday, August 12th

Island day. One minute before this picture was taken Caleb was screaming that he didn't want to go on the boat. He was all smiles as soon as we took off. What a stinker.

Jackson and Darlene feeding the ducks.

Paddle boat ride with daddy.

Thursday, August 13th

They got dressed to go play outside!

Painting birdhouses in Arts and Crafts

Can you tell he enjoyed the water?

Friday, August 14th

Meagan playing with all the kids!

The Nordlund's stopped by for dinner on Friday night. Jackson and Sanne had fun playing together.

The boys and Macallister heading back to the big bonfire.

And finally I leave you with the best video from our two weeks away. My 30 year old husband doing a double back flip off the mountain dew swing. What a stud!

A busy Saturday...

We started that day at my parents block party. Things have changed a lot since we were kids...except for the water games! Here is Jackson filling up the buckets for Poppa (my dad has done the water games for as long as I can remember...still the best part!)

We bought these cupcakes at Tammy and Dave's auction and Gramma froze them for us. They mostly enjoyed the frosting.

Caleb and the holey can. He wasn't going to play but saw how much fun Jackson was having and decided to join in.

Jackson with the holey can. He was hilarious...so little and so cute. There are videos of both boys at the bottom. (How can I make the video be in the right spot?)

Gairette

Balloon Toss

Cup on the head. So willing to try everything, Caleb sat this one out.

Then we headed to Aunt Louise and Uncle Dave's for "summer birthdays". The boys got to play with this when they first arrived.

A bunch of Cars stuff, toys for the sandbox and two happy boys! Thanks everyone for the great gifts.

SANDBOX!

This morning Papa came over bright and early to build the boys a sandbox for their birthdays. Everyone was excited to help out!

The sandbox is in place. After this the boys and I went to the Zoo and came home to the finished product...

Do you think they like it?

Many thanks! Come on over and play!

smoothies

Good till the last drop.

4th of July Parade

Caleb and Jackson rode in the kids bike parade before the real parade. I had Jackson's bike all decorated and he started crying and ripping it all off saying "I don't like it!" He is one stubborn little guy. I also told him to give me a good smile for this picture and this is what I got. We rode down the parade route and stopped at our seats, which was about a block!

I am my father's daughter...I woke up at 7am to drive down and set up our spots for the parade! They were perfect, every band or group stopped right in front of us and performed for us, even the Jessie White Tumblers.

Jackson waving at the firetrucks, Caleb covering his ears because the sirens were too loud.

Jackson got these few pieces of candy right away and just sat there holding onto them.

Surprise! My parents, Brooke, Olivia and Leslie were in the parade! They were on the float for the 2016 Olympic bid. At the 'Taste of Chicago' they signed up to be volunteers and chose the Glenview parade as their first assignment! The boys loved when they came by us.

"I'm proud to be an American"

So there was this red line painted on the ground and the kids were supposed to stay behind it. We told Caleb that and he was such a good listener. When we would see someone coming by with candy or something we would tell him to go stand by the line. He would put both his feet right at the line and wait for them to come by him.

Here they are watching the Jessie White Tumblers. It was a great parade and a great day!

Fireworks...

Caleb has told us over and over again that he doesn't like fireworks...but we still try! This year my dad let him borrow these so the fireworks wouldn't be so noisy.

As it turns out, neither of the boys enjoyed the fireworks. This is how we watched them! Caleb was very proud of himself for "taking little peeks" every once in a while, Jackson would not look at them. Next year?