Hudson trip, the last hurrah

on our final day we had perfect weather! we knew it was time to get the kids up on skis so Bill, being a genius, rigged up a system to help make the kids feel more comfortable on skis.

Of course – Ellie was our first taker. That girl is so determined and quietly brave.

her only protest.

almost there…

wahoo!!! go ellie!

slowing down to show her that all is ok.

back up again.

happy!

claire was a bit more timid. Charlie still wouldn’t go at this point.

nervous.

go claire! she did it and we celebrated.

finally we kind of made charlie go.

hit it!

I love the various stages of his facial expressions. He is a glass case of emotions sometimes.

stressed/freaking out.

feeling a bit better.

shock.

happy!

ecstatic!

back to stressed upon stopping – ha! so proud of him for doing it!

one last boom drag with auntie dotes!

on our last midday – the Gunderson clan came to hang with us. Note – Bill is wearing his new Selma’s sweatshirt that he is BEyOND proud of –ha!

Such fun spending more time with dear friends. Wish we could see them again soon!

what  a trip! we made so many memories and were really able to just live life with the extended schmitt/arnold families it was wonderful! we are going to miss being there. it was also time to come home and get back to reality. or as charlie said to me this week “this place is no fun – we never go to the candy store or get ice cream!” – ha! yep – buddy, that is called real life. Our old-fashioned summer was really just that. swimsuit wearing, beach lounging, limeaway (aka – lime-a-rita) drinkin, sand everywhere, cheetos eatin, boat riding, candy store and ice cream store stops, etc. It was perfect. Thanks bubba and pappy for putting up with all of us for 3 weeks – we are no cake walk.

Laura sent me this after we had been driving for a bit (we left about 6pm on Friday night). the perfect ending to our old fashioned summer.

Hudson trip, Rachel and kids visit

Rachel was kind enough to drive up to Hudson so the kids could play on the beach. It was another perfect day!

For some reason my kids seem to be needing an hour or two with kids they haven’t seen for awhile to adjust to playing with them. The bummer with this is that we often only spend 3 hours with our friends so just when they are leaving no one ever wants to stop playing.

Bubba holding Lars – always concentrating on something.

little Brita.

Paul and Thor playing on the see-saw. Kaia and Claire next to them.

Bill doing a dolphin challenge for fun.

Laura did a dinner feast for the clan and we tried to snap a photo of the group.

Kaia (just turning 6), Lars (4 months), Claire, Ellie, Charlie, Thor (4), Brita (2).

Charlie really wanted to hold Lars.

Then Ellie wanted to. Thankfully Lars is a champ.

Finally these two started warming up and really playing. It was so sweet!

Classic 1st grader smiles. If we could arrange a marriage I would!

I think there was a bug flying past Kaia’s forehead in this picture.

I couldn’t get enough. Rach and I couldn’t get over the fact that “just yesterday” we were at music class with these two alone!

final beach pose.

so thankful for our friendship that has lasted through many miles! Love you Rach!

Only 1 day left!

Hudson trip, part 6

My Aunt Chris and Uncle Tom & Cousin Grace came out for dinner and some beach time.

only missing Griffin who had to work.

more sunny evenings on the beach.

Erin and her little girl, Marion, came over for a morning. Marion is adorable and OH so sweet!! Charlie was being cranky so wouldn’t smile at the camera.

Our clan. Missing our friend Kacie and her 4 kiddos (we had plans to all get together, but then the weather messed things up so we had to reschedule on a day that didn’t work for Kacie). I’ve known Erin since Freshman year of high school – love her!

we had a Selma’s ice cream run, ,which didn’t disappoint. Love the massive family picture!

Ellie developed a paronychia on her toe. So Bill had to cut it open.

Classic Ellie – she didn’t even cry.

to help distract her.

Ellie was the bravest of all the children this trip (let’s be honest – most of the time!). She willingly went out on the boom with her dear auntie dotesy and dragged.

of course after Ellie went – Charlie decided he could totally handle it…and he did.

Ellie was back at it.

Charlie going really fast!

then claire decided to go. She did it!

Can we do all 3 plus Dotes? YES!

the girls hung on together.

then the tubing started. Bill and Ellie having fun.

Claire and Mary! Just for memory sake – I did go tubing with Charlie and we got some serious air, but no one took a picture of us.

Margit and Paul went!

Yeah! A picture with me and Ellie! I was on the trip!

Bill's uncle owns a great group of restaurants in St Paul and they recently added a new one called Emmett's (an irish pub named after his father). My aunt Chris offered to have the kids hang out with her one evening with Grace and Griffin so we took them up on that and dropped the kids at their house (after a quick trip to the ER for C's eye - he was convinced he couldn't open it because of sand we thought it might have been a cornea scratch - he didn't have it). Then many of the Schmitt/Arnold fam adults came for a nice dinner out. I am so thankful for many generations of family from both sides who love on our kids. We are blessed beyond measure!  

Gamo even made it! 

The kids were having fun too!

an outdoor chess game! Charlie was in heaven! How awesome are my cousins (and aunt! my uncle tom was on business)! Grace is going to be a Senior this year and Griffin is home on break from college. Love them!

the fun continues…