Cabin weekend

The second weekend of August was our annual college friend cabin weekend--2 of my college roommates + their spouses/kids and another college friend and his family = 8 adults and 9 kids (in a 2-bedroom cabin).  We borrowed a tent and the Brekkes had their tent, so the sleeping arrangements all worked out.  Everyone arrived Friday night (even Dave, who was working just 20 minutes away for most of the weekend).  We enjoyed pizzas made by the Kunzes for supper.  Saturday was our beach day.  We took the speed boat and the neighbor's pontoon out to the island and enjoyed the PERFECT beach weather and water.  Norah and her littler buddies enjoyed her new Hello Kitty floatie that Tracy sent her from Korea.  Abby and friends tried out the alligator that the girls got for their birthday, but it was a little less sturdy.  Abby and Jannah enjoyed a tube ride out to the island.

Saturday evening, we had a baby shower for the Brekkes and Schwartzes, who welcomed new babies in February and April.  Then it was time for a bonfire!

Sunday morning was a little cooler, but some of the braver ones jumped on the water trampoline for awhile.  Erik and Bill helped the older kiddos with a puzzle before the Brekkes had to leave.

Matt took off after supper, but the Kunzes hung around one more night, so we took an evening boat ride before it started to rain.

Kristina and I hung around until Wednesday--Dave had Monday and Tuesday off, so took Abby fishing in Frazee.  It was nice having just Norah for a couple of days, but the cabin was still busy with two 2-year olds and a 6-month old!

Fair time!

Abby has been enjoying entering things in the Freeborn County Fair for a couple of years now, and this year was no exception.  She had photos, projects from her Art Adventure class this past year and other crafts, flowers, and garden vegetables.  It's always a fun way for her to share her work and earn some money for her savings account at the same time.  We spent an afternoon/evening at the fair with Dave's mom and sister and had fun checking out Abby's entries, visiting the kiddie barn, eating some yummy food, and watching the pig races and elephant show.  Norah even had her first pony and elephant rides.  We stopped back the next day to pick up her projects and ribbons--her grand total this year was $88 (plus a grand champion and a reserve champion ribbon for some of her pictures)!  

Other July fun

 Here are some other things we've been up to in July:

Princess storytime at the library with the Lonsdale Ambassadors

Enjoying some beautiful weather at the park

3rd of July parade in Albert Lea

Checking out the new path that they just made near our house

Double rainbow after a rare July rainstorm

Enjoying our gardens

Beach day with friends

California

Last weekend, I was able to take a trip to California to visit my brother.  I flew into San Francisco on Thursday night.  When Greg picked me up, we had a late supper before heading to the hotel.  I spent Friday exploring San Francisco while Greg worked.  I walked down to the ferry building, shopped in Union Square, and walked to Golden Gate Park and spent the afternoon there after we ate lunch.  When Greg picked me up, we started our drive down the coast.  We stopped to eat at Sam's Oyster Shack in Half Moon Bay, then drove on to Seaside (near Monterey) to stay for the night.  After we found a hotel, we went to a late movie (Begin Again--great movie!).

In the morning, I unfortunately spent some time at urgent care getting a strep test (negative), but we still had some time to explore Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey.  We ate lunch then went on a whale watching tour.  It was a fun boat ride and we saw several whales.  Unfortunately, I got seasick on the way back, but it was still a fun trip.  We continued our drive down the coast, through Big Sur National Park (definitely need to make it back there someday!), then stopped in San Luis Obispo for supper.  We were planning to stay there, but there weren't any rooms available until a town two hours away.  Greg found that it would actually be cheaper to stay in L.A. (3 hours away) with his company discount.  So, we didn't get there until 12:30, but we stayed at the nicest hotel I've ever been to (Loew's Hollywood) right in the middle of Hollywood.  The beds were amazing, and we must have been tired, because we didn't wake up until 9 (11 Minnesota time).

We spent my last morning driving to Malibu, and then ended up eating lunch at In 'n Out Burger near the airport before Greg dropped me off.  It was the perfect chance to relax and have some "me" time during this time that Dave's gone!