July 2013

July went by so fast as we spent packing for vacation or in the car traveling to vacation in Branson, Missouri, and Cygnet Lake, Ontario, Canada. Both of these trips were nice as they were the first real trips for our family since Krissy was born. Both were needed too being the first down time since Tim changed jobs. All in all we enjoyed the month of July resting, relaxing, eating, and enjoying the summer breeze.

Our month started out with the July 4 holiday. We took Krissy to Yankie Doodle Pops for the first time and the weather was perfect. Both kids enjoyed eating snacks and playing with their glow bracelets as we listened to the Des Moines Symphony. Uncle Philip joined us as we enjoyed the outdoor concert and fireworks afterwards.

On the 4th of July we took a leisurely morning to enjoy breakfast together outside. Then mid-day after washing the car, we biked on the trail to Windsor Heights to watch the parade and snack on a picnic lunch. The rest of the day was quiet as we packed and loaded up for Branson, Missouri.

We left for Branson on July 5 in caravan with Papa and Gigi down to Kansas City. We stopped to join Cousin Gabe for lunch before finishing the rest of the trip south. Both kids did an excellent job in the car. Judah watch his movies while Krissy played with finger puppets, just chattering away. Every time we had to stop and open Krissy's door, toys would fall out from where she had thrown them from the side of her seat.

In spite the hot weather, our cabin on Table Rock Lake appeared refreshing with its five spacious bedrooms and four bathrooms, Jacuzzi tubs, deck and porch, two car garage, pool table, poker table, and (perhaps Judah's favorite) the theatre room. Our first night we ordered in pizza and just enjoyed the company of Dan and Shannon's family, Andrew and Amy's family, and Papa and Gigi. Soon we heard the pitter-patter of feet running running around playing together and setting up trains. Later we checked out the infinity pool.

Each of the three days that we spent in Branson were much the same. Some slept in and some got up early to beat the heat and go skiing. Then we would have a big breakfast, followed by taking the kids swimming at several different pools. We would have a late lunch of lunch meat sandwiches and all would rest for the afternoon. Each family would make supper one evening before the group would go out together to swim or boat again. Tired out the kids were put to bed before the adults had their chance playing trivia the theatre room.

All in all the trip was enjoyable. The kids played so well together under the big screen with their train track. Krissy finally warmed up to everyone so that they could hold her. She really liked going to turn on the Jacuzzi in our big master bedroom. Everyone had some down time to relax and yet still got a boat ride on the water. On the last day the women went shopping at the outlet mall while the guys babysat. As we packed up to leave, Judah commented, "Mom, I like Branson; I do not want to leave."

In between trips, besides laundry and repacking, we did a few things at home and in and around Des Moines. We spent a lot of time at the park since Emma could bike the kids a few miles in the bike trailer. During these pleasant mornings, Krissy learned to climb up the slide and go down the slide all by herself (July 10). Judah climbed higher and higher then ever before. At home we played outside, making mud pies, splashing in the water or at the water table, drawing on the sidewalk, riding bikes, and throwing balls. During the hot days, we ventured to the library to check out a very large stack of books or play with the imagination blocks. In the evenings we spent as much time as we could grilling with our neighbors when we were all in town. We also enjoyed the John Morgan band for Jazz in July.

The kids still had time to do things around home. Krissy played with her finger puppets. In addition to learning to go down the slide and climb up again, she also learned to climb up her high chair to get in her seat. Rocks peeked Judah's interest and we not only found books on rocks at the library but made our own rock formation experiment and rock candy. We even did a solar oven experiment.

We barely had a week to do laundry and repack before we were on the road north toward Canada. As you head north to Canada, especially after the Twin Cities, the scenery starts to change containing more forest and less civilization. You watch rock formations and tall pine trees go by through the car window. And the temperatures start to fall slightly as the humidity lessens. By the time you come to Sioux Narrows, you take deep breaths of the crisp, fresh air. This year was no exception.

The first half of the trip we drove up to Duluth, Minnesota, where we met up with Pappa and Gigi. After six hours on the road, Krissy make it clear that she was done. We stopped to check in at the hotel and then went out to dinner at Grizzley's. We had time to swim that evening which both kids enjoyed after a long day in the car. The next morning we finished our caravan with Papa, Gigi, and Papa Harold (Munson). Judah rode in the Yukon while Krissy threw all her toys around the in the car and looked at her miniature books. We stopped for lunch at International Falls to play at McDonald's before crossing the border. We arrived in time for Muff Trunnell to have supper for us and with enough light to unpack and put the boats in the water. We even enjoyed our first smore's of the season together as a group.

Our first day in the boat proved a good year for fishing even though the fish was smaller and the weather cooler. Emma kicked the season off with catching a Small-mouth Bass. Judah enjoyed his time out in the boat passing several hours by playing in the minnow bucket and passing out minnows to Papa, Tim, Emma, and Harold. A few times Judah stuck his pole in and almost immediately while everyone was reeling in their own catch, Judah reeled in his very own Perch all by himself. Emma continues to hold the record for catching the biggest four pound Walleye at 22 inches. Tim probably caught the most Northern this year which seemed to be biting more than usual. Toward the end of the week, Larry, Bill Heubner, Tim, and Emma took an excursion by four wheeler out in the back woods to fish at a remote lake under a waterfall. In spite of reeling in a lot of sticks, the team managed 18 Walleye keepers.

Eating was as good as always. Judah even helped fry up his Perch to eat. And we certainly had no shortage of treats and boat snacks. Fresh fish everyday with fresh air makes everyone so restful and relaxed. Everyone enjoyed at least one good book or even several. The evenings we spent around the campfire or playing bingo for prizes. Others picked up a deck of cards or watched movies.

Krissy enjoyed her days on shore with Gigi, going shopping, taking walks around the campground, doing dishes, and playing in the rocks and sand. Addie proved to be a good play mate golfing and finding games for Judah. The kids tried a bit of swimming in the cold water. And we fed the seagulls.

The weather was beautiful this year even though we were in sweatshirts quite often. This made good sleeping and great campfires. Not until the end of the week, did we have rainy weather keeping us in the cabin playing games and doing some crafting.

Finally with chilly weather and running out of winter clothes, we were headed home. Judah carvanned with Papa and Gigi until we got to the Twin Cities where we visited our friends, the Anderls. We enjoyed pizza for supper before crashing at a nearby hotel for the evening. The next day we went to an indoor playground where the kids played so well together. Back at their house we grilled out before driving back during quiet time.