Who says you can't go home??

 Loving the train park

 Saying hi to the swans at the grotto

 Picnic with Grandma Deanie

 Walking to the fair

I like to wrap up summer by taking the kids to Algona for the week to give them a chance to get spoiled rotten by Grandma Deanie and Pepeka and to also do the things that I used to love doing when I was growing up.  We went to the library and the kids got library cards, played at the Seton Train Park, went to the pool, roasted marshmallows, visited the Grotto, attempted to go to the fair a day early (oops).  But my favorite memory?  All the Mayers and the Keiths came over one night and we froze 102 quarts of sweet corn.  Norah was an awesome helper, and even Finn was in the mix at one point, helping to cool the corn in tubs of water. There was just something about my kids among all my cousins, uncles, aunts and grandpa, doing the work that my family has done for years.  It made me feel like I was giving them something bigger - a piece of my family history, and a part of what made me who I am.  I doubt they saw it like that at all, and will probably miss that point entirely when talking about their trip to Algona.  But for me, that's what it is all about.

A Birthday for my Baby

 Making his cake

The big boys loved playing with Sully's gifts 

We celebrated Sully's 3rd birthday with the O'Neills and Meg on July 22. Sully chose a red cake with yellow frosting, and had a lot of fun baking it with me.  He got lots of neat things, but the most popular gift with the O'Neill guys was the Hot Wheels track. Sully has branched out to loving matchbox cars, much to his daddy's delight.  We now have a track attached to the wall in the playroom and many races take place there between daddy and his boys.  I can't believe my sweet little baby is now 3. He is all rough and tumble, and is determined to keep up with Norah and Finn.  But he still has his goofy sense of humor and such an easy going personality that never fails to make me smile.  Happy birthday, sweet little boy.  I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.

The road trip back home

 Ice cream break!

 For Grandma Deanie - nothing like children's hands

Train spotting

Like all good things, our vacation had to end, and we had a 7 hour drive that we decided to do in one shot this year.  In order to keep the kids (and me) from melting down into a puddle of goo, we made frequent stops.  The first one was for lunch and ice cream in Hackensack, MN. The second stop was at the Paul Bunyan Welcome Center in Brainerd. Shortly after we left the Welcome Center we saw a train, which we followed to several train crossings so we could honk and wave. After that our trip got a little hairy, and the photo opps ceased. Kids were overly tired and it did not bode well for the morale in the car. Thankfully, everyone (including me) took a much needed nap from Clearwater to Albert Lea, and we were back home about 12 hours after we left Cass Lake.  Hopefully next year we can knock that time down to 10 hours, or buy a motor home.  Mama needs to recline when I sleep!!

Cass Lake!

 Helping Mic

 Cleaning the beach after the storm

 Jet ski!!!

 Riley -the best negotiator around!

 Some QT with my baby

 Loungin' in the hammock

 Boat ride!

 Jumping off the dock

The annual O'Neill trip to Cass Lake was once again a success.  We all just love Mic and Lisa's cabin, and here are a few pictures of the highlights.  The weather was hot, hot, HOT, but that didn't slow the kids down. This year, they not only loved playing on the beach, but had so much fun jumping off the dock and swimming in the lake too.  Riley had the brilliant idea of renting two jet skis for the family, and they were quite the hit.  Even Grandma and Sr. Marian joined in the fun! Finn took a turn on the tube, and Norah took boat rides whenever she could.  We are already looking forward to going again next year!

Sprinkler Fun

Earlier this week, our garden was in desperate need of water, so Dennis and our friend Lance came out to rig up the sprinkler in the evening.  It was still so hot outside, and Norah was helping us weed the garden, and she wanted to cool down, farmer style.  The boys heard her laughing and came running.  Soon, it became a party in the garden. They were a muddy mess, but had so much fun beating the heat. This is going to be one of my favorite summertime memories!