Water skiing for the first time!

Thanks to Uncle Scott, Owen, and Ellie (and the videographer Auntie Shannon of course!), Claire has started to learn to water ski! She has done really well so far and I look forward to watching her ski when I go up to get her next weekend!

Fun summer with cousins!

Claire is absolutely loving being in MN for the month of June! I don't think she will be ready to come home next weekend! She is getting so spoiled and loved on by her aunts and uncles and cousins and she is making so many great memories. Time spent at the lake is probably her highlight of the summer.

 Loving the snuggles with Auntie Shannon!

 Claire and her sidekick, Ellie, out for a paddle boat ride

 Claire loves roasting marshmallows but she loves eating them even more!

 The golf cart...hard to get Claire off of this thing. She has become a wonderful driver with the many hours of practice she has had this summer!

 The kids by Grandpa Larry's (Snugglebunny's) tree. Wish Grandpa could be here to watch his grandkids grow up but thankful for the wonderful memories they all have of him.

 Claire soaking up the time she gets to spend with Uncle Scott!

 Gotta do some work before play at the lake. The kids worked hard cleaning Grandpa Larry's patio.

 Claire loves it when Uncle Scott has time to take them out tubing! Sore arms are totally worth the fun on the boat!

 What do you do when it isn't your turn to go tubing? Soak up the rays on the boat with cousin Harvey! Livin' the life in MN!

The first two weeks with cousins

Claire got to be present for Owen's actual drive through graduation ceremony. Thankful for my sister who has been taking and sharing pictures with us while we miss our kiddo so much!

 The ladies chilling in the back seat of Grandpa Larry's 55! Although Claire would say she was not chilling, but rather sweating since the car does not have A/C and it was a hot day!

 Claire did a big project in 5th grade on the state of Minnesota so Grandma Rachel took her out to see where Little Crow died.

 Henry, Claire, and Harvey getting facials at Auntie Shannon's house! Looks like they are enjoying it!

 You can't get the cousins together without them all piling on Owen! It is hard to see Owen's face but if you look hard below Claire's smile you can see Owen's teeth. Clearly he is enjoying the tackle!

 This is where the kids would live if we let them! Hours upon hours are spent on this mat! Claire is having a blast so far and I am so thankful for wonderful family who have given her the opportunity to spend a month of her summer with them! Memories to last a lifetime!

Time with the cousins!

Looks like some serious kids on the dock, concentrating on catching some big fish!

 Claire is excited to spend some extra time with Auntie Shannon this summer. They got to share some time together on the paddle boat.

 Watch out! Not sure Claire should be allowed to drive this big vehicle! Thankfully no one got hurt and she didn't crash! Ellie looks pretty relaxed so I guess I should be too?!

 Have to throw in some work too! Claire worked hard helping Uncle Scott to stack wood. This was a new experience for her! 

 Some fun times on the lake. I am sure there will be many more!

It's family time!

Claire and I got to head to MN for Owen's 18th birthday and graduation from high school! It was so much fun to spend time with family. Our first stop was to see Grandpa Bruce and Grandma Denise (and Sadie of course!).

Claire always has a blast riding Grandpa Bruce's monster truck. Unfortunately, she is getting pretty big for it! Might have to try to talk Grandpa into getting a go kart for next time!

 Claire always looks forward to playing with Sadie when we visit. I think the dog was happy to see us leave! Claire made her run a lot and took her for quite a few rides in the monster truck!

It never takes long for the cousins to jump in and have fun together!

 Owen had a casino themed birthday including a trip to the casino for the first time.

Owen made $20 last a long time but in the end, walked away losing $46. 

 The following day we got to celebrate Owen graduating from high school! I cannot believe he is 18 years old and heading to college!

We got to sneak in a boat ride while I was there. I had to wear 3 layers while the kids were in their swim suits!

 On Sunday, I had to say goodbye to my kiddo for a month. She is staying in MN with family until July 3. It is so hard being away from her but I know she is having a much better time there than staying home alone every day while Jeff and I work. So thankful for amazing family who are wanting to spend extra time with Claire and spoil her rotten!