Happy Summer!

I think I could sum up the summer so far in one word: water. The girls love playing in the water and we have enjoyed as much of it as we can. Swimming at the pool at the gym, going to lakes, playing in the sprinkler and pool at home and even splashing in a few puddles has kept the girls entertained this summer. Elsie very carefully plays with the sand.

We love potholes after a good rain!

Look at this cute litter stinker...she is fearless in all types of water.

Margot thinking about who she should dump this scoop of mud on.

A quick "CHEESE" for mom and then let me get back to the water.

A Trip Up North

In mid-June we spent a week up near Brained with my sister's family. Her in laws were kind enough to let our two families and our bachelor brother enjoy their lake home for a week. You might ask, how was the weather? Well, it wasn't great, but that didn't stop us from going for a boat ride, playing in the water, going mini-golfing, go-kart racing, turtle racing and playing in the rain. We enjoyed lots of great meals, drinks, and somehow managed to keep four children under the age of 4 occupied during lots of rainy hours.

Elsie loved the boat ride! She didn't however love falling out of the canoe. I wish I had a picture of that scene. Soren, Elsie, cousin Gabe and Uncle Nathan all went overboard. Elsie high-tailed it back to the cabin and the boys took another go at it and enjoyed the canoe.
Elsie and Gabe battle the rain while waiting for a turn to do the turtle races. They look so NOT impressed by what we are making them do in this picture. I had to include this picture because this is how I imagine them looking during their teenage years when we make them go to small towns and do odd things like turtle racing.

Best Friends Margot and Stella take a stroll around the mini-golf course. Margot and Stella are 20 days apart and when together are either the best of friends or the worst of enemies...there is NO in between. Honestly, these two were either hugging or throwing punches. We all find it very entertaining!

Soren and his ladies.

This is a first...all four cousins looking at the camera and smiling! I never thought this would happen. (note that is is June 20th in the picture and the kids are wearing pants and jackets. crazy MN weather)

Here we are packed like sardines and ready to roll. Can you find Soren? I didn't make him sit back there the entire car ride. Also, no worries - the baby in the middle is a doll, not some random third child not buckle into a proper car seat.