Cabin '13

Kate had literally been counting down since January to our annual week at the cabin in Northern Minnesota. The week did not disappoint: the 16 hours in the car went well, the weather was perfect, and the kids played at full-speed from morning until night. 

Of course, each day included several rides on grandpa's boat. 

 Andrew loved driving the boat and his erratic & crazy speeds made us fear we would be pulled over by DNR each time he took the wheel. How can you say no to this delight though?! 

 Another favorite activity was "jump jump", which involved the kids jumping into the lake from the back of the boat. They would then wait for someone to throw out a rope and pull them in so they could climb the ladder and repeat x 100. {see video above}

 

We made a campfire several of the nights and enjoyed a new treat with marshmallows, chocolate and fruit inside an ice cream cone. 

 One day we took the kids into town for one of our favorite places: the candy store!

 Hanging out in town. 

 Another day we drove 40 minutes for a float ride. This was Andrew's first ride on a school bus, but Kate has been on one twice, so she took care of him!

 Getting ready to launch. 

 This is how Andrew spent the entire trip: on grandpa's back. (send us the chiropractor bill, grandpa!)

 Correction: this is how Andrew spent the entire trip: eating on grandpa's back. 

Flying kites of the back of the boat. 

And an activity called "wakeboarding", which meant swinging on the wakeboard rope that was hooked to the top of the boat. 

 Mom on a {short} actual wakeboard ride.

 A rare moment of quiet & rest. 

 Riding in the new tube.

 And jumping from the dock in new monkey boats. 

As you can see, it was a fun-filled week that went way too quickly. It's always sad when the trip is over, and we are already counting the days until July '14!