Hummingbird sighting

I put out the feeder too late this year so I have not seen too many this year.  Happened to catch this one today.  They are such cute little birds!  Wish they weren't so skittish and hung around longer!

Carter's FOURTEEN!

 Carter is officially in his 2nd year of being a teen.  I know I have probably said this before, but really, how does time go so fast.  Where does it go?  How could it have been 14 years since I held this "little boy" in my arms?  He is only about 1.5 inches shorter than me so I am guessing that in about 6 months or so, he will pass me up in height.   

We did not have a ton planned today.  He was supposed to go with his dad, but ended up running around with some of his friends so we had a quick cake and BD celebration before he took off.  

Happy 14th Birthday, Carter!  We love you!

Crafty Dawson

Dawson was made at me one night for not knowing how to knit.  So, I bought a circle loom and here are his fruits of his labor.  TWO little hats for the Greene Twins!  I am so proud of him for making these!  They look great for his first attempts!

Tamarack Nature Center & TIM MCGRAW

Our yearly trip to Tamarck!  Auntie Jen and Tanner met up with us.  IT was a WARM day and when we first got to the center it was not too busy.  As we were leaving it was packed!  Next time we need to remember our buckets and shovels.  Good thing Auntie Jen remembered!

I love this little area of the nature center.  The little water tower.  The wildflowers.  It is perfect!

Tanner was not too interested in the little stream but he was loving playing in the sun!

Tonight, I went to a concert at the MN State Fair with Sheri - TIM MCGRAW!  She called and asked me back in May or June if I wanted to go.  Dave was giving me a hard time about not going with him!  We took the shuttle bus, did a little walking around and then to the concert.  What a wonderful night it was to attend the fair!

Grilled banana, marshmallow and chocolate sandwich.  Rich, messy but good!

Dawson's first trip to Shoreview Community Center

Dawson went with Nathan today to the community center.  He was super excited when I told him where he was going though he was a little nervous as he usually wears a life jacket.  He said that he wore it for a few minutes and then took it off.  Good job Dawson.

He said he was a little nervous going down the BIG waterslide by himself and a little nervous once he hit the water, but it was okay!  He also said that at the top of the waterslide they have a thing when you can pick a song to play as you are going down the tube.  He said that he chose the theme song to Rocky but about 1/2 way down some girl changed it to Taylor Swift!

"...toes in the pool..."

Yup!  "mom, can we please just put our toes in the water!? I have Nothing more to say.

I love my little frog friends!  I look forward to seeing them nightly at dusk to come and eat those pesky little bugs!

Ice Bucket Challenge

There is an "ice bucket" challenge going around for ALS.  It has been HUGE and so many people are getting involved.

This is something straight from the ALS website:

Between July 29 and today, August 12, The ALS Association and its 38 chapters have received an astonishing $4 million in donations compared to $1.12 million during the same time period last year. The ALS Association is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from those people who have been doused, made a donation, or both. Contributions further The Association’s mission to find a cure for ALS while funding the highest quality of care for people living with the disease.

My lovely friend, Sheri Ganley, nominated me for this and Dawson joined in.  

Look at Reese's little curls!  While I don't really like mine, for some reason I LOVE hers!

Pool Time!

Auntie Heather and Uncle Eric got an above ground pool (perks of owning a pool company!).  They set it up this past weekend.  I called Heather to see if we could come hang out.  To our surprise Drew and boys were there too!  It was warmer than last time and the kids had fun swimming!  It was a good hot day for it!  Felt good to be splashed.

*I noticed that Auntie Heather appeared to not be feeling 100%.  I also noticed some ginger ale bottles sitting in the kitchen... hmmmm?

Til Next Year Augers!!!

Beautiful last morning at the cabin!  East side of the lake.

West side of the lake - little foggy and not so bright, but still a wonderful sight!

Kendall, Reese, Morgan, Kendall and Gavin - it would be great if they were here next year but they weren't sure yet!

What a long and fun week it was!  HE was the only one to fall asleep.  I am sure daddy and I would have...

Auger's Day SEVEN!

                               

Last Day & night at the cabin!  Other than the 2nd day here, the week has been wonderful (some what cool in the AM a day or so and the one rainy day)!  We booked our cabin for next year (well actually the one next door because for some reason #5 was already booked).  Same layout, just on the other side & we will be next to Heather and Tim & families!

                                             What a calm & clear morning!

Ah, my loons!

Reese's turn to go fishing with daddy!  Thumbs up!

More water fights!

As I was getting lunch ready, this beauty was on the window.  The thing was ginormous!  You can see it next to one of those "mosquito on steroids" bugs!  It stayed for quite sometime.

Dawson did not last too long tubing!  But, I love these photos of the boys anyway!

Carter got them over the wake and Dawson was not too sure of that (man, he is like me in that regards, otherwise he is all daddy!)

While I love photos of everyone when they are looking at me, these next 3 are some of my favorites.  No one even knew I was taking them.  

not only do I love that Reese is holding daddy's hand, but I love her little toes in this one as well.

A jump in the lake after CJ was done tubing!  I was surprised that DJ wanted to join in.  And the boat started!  What a good day!

Playing football on the beach!  Look at Kendall's form!  Love it!

Kendall's turn to go fishing with daddy!

Beautiful sunset, bonfire and smores...and some packing!  Tomorrow we have to be out of by like 9:30.  Always hard on the last night!

Look at those curls!

Last night.  think we will get the 1000 piece puzzle together by then?