Weekend at Big Fish

Last weekend, we packed up the car and headed west on 94 to Cold Springs. My sister-in-law's family has a cabin on Big Fish Lake. Jake and I have been there a number of times in the last few years, but it always seems to fall on a weekend that Joe worked. I think Matt and Katie were starting to take offense at the fact that Joe never comes up. The last time he was there was for the groom's dinner for their wedding almost three years ago. It also was a bonus that it was Matt's week to have Hailey, so Jake was really excited to see his big cousin.

The weather was very weird that weekend. On Saturday, it was humid, yet overcast. It made it easier to spend time outside. Had it not been overcast, the heat would have been really unbearable. MN has had some high temps this past week. The next day, it was the same thing, except even more humid. You could have taken a shower when you walked out of the cabin. There was so much condensation on the windows. It did get sunny earlier in the day than on Saturday. We were all hoping for a sunny weekend, but we were able to do all the things we had wanted to do.

Jake and Hailey logged in some serious movie watching time. Jake loved the fact that Kit (Katie's mom) had different movies than we have at home. We have quite the collection since Jake's broken leg last year. Some days, I wonder if there is a Disney movie we don't own!

We were able to head over to the sandbar (or sandbox, as Jake called it) to float and play in the water. There was even a bachelor party over there that had brought their own keg into the lake. That was something I had never seen before. Jake wasn't all that cooperative with being in the water or floating, so we did not stay that long. That behavior seems to be the case lately. Is it the boy in him, or the 3 year old. A terrible combination of the two?

Hailey and Matt both were able to water ski after dinner on Saturday night. It amazes me how good Hailey has become over the last few years. She has these great training skis that have really helped her. Katie holds onto one end of the rope and Hailey holds onto the other. Katie is the one who pulls her out of the water. On Sunday, Matt tried giving her the regular ski rope just to see how she would do. She gave it two really good tries, but wasn't able to pull herself up. She is a determined girl and I know she will master that in no time. It is always fun to watch my brother ski. You would think he grew up on a lake! Hailey also tubed. I was thinking about doing it myself, but the possibility of being in pain (back), wasn't quite worth it.

Hailey and Jake went on special "missions" during the weekend. They were off finding things and going places on a variety to toys: Barbie Jeep, scooter, bike, and Big Wheel. Jake loved the Power Wheels toy. I think we will get him one for his next birthday. He would be so excited!

Jordan and Jake were funny to watch. They would be fine playing with each other one minute and then Jake would be telling on him the next. It is hard to explain to Jake that Jordan (a 1 year old) doesn't quite know how to share, and yes, sometimes he does bite. There were lots of laughs, smiles, and a few tears.

It was a great to get away for the weekend and spend time with the St. Cloud Knutsons! Hopefully, it won't take another three years to get Joe back there!

The Dentist

Jake had his first visit to the dentist last week. They had him in for a "happy visit". He was able to ride in the chair and see the tools the dentist and hygienist uses. His favorite thing to do was to use the "squirt gun" and fill up his cup of water and then use the vacuum tool to suck it back up. I think he had to do this no less than five times. He let the hygienist clean his teeth for about 2.2 seconds before he had enough. She counted his teeth-10 on top and 10 on bottom. Jake met the dentist and let him take a peek in his mouth. The dentist said his teeth look good. Jake was excited to get a new toothbrush, some floss, a mask, and rubber gloves. All in all, a good visit to the dentist. Back in 6 months.

Jake also had his first run in with the cops. Okay, just the mall cop. We went shopping after the dentist to Eden Prairie Center. They have this fun indoor play area that Jake loves. At one point, he decided that he wanted to go up the escalator. He bolted from me and ran onto it. He almost fell off, but I thankfully caught up with him before that could happen. I was having a little "heart-to-heart" with him as we were taking the escalator back down to the floor we started on. When we got to the bottom, the mall cop came up to Jake and told him that he needed to listen to his mommy and never get onto the escalator without holding his parent's hand and that he could get really hurt. Jake wouldn't look at him in the eye, but I think he understood to never do that again.

He now tells me when I do something he doesn't like, that he is going to call the fire truck guys to come and get me, just like the police talked to him... We'll see how that goes...

Happy Fourth of July!-The Late Edition

Ben trying out knee boarding

Jake's new beach attire

Daddy helping Jake watch fireworks

Jake with Haley, Ben, Parker, and Kelsey

Again, a week has slipped by me...

We had a great time at The Deters's cabin over the 4th. We were glad we did not go up until Saturday night because there was a strong storm that when through the area of Wisconsin we were headed to. As we drove through Danbury, WI, we noticed a lot of trees down and properties that were damaged. We stopped for dinner at a bar that had no power. They were not quite sure what they were going to do once the sun went down. They were grilling burgers and chicken in the back of their bar, but that was all you could get for food. We found out that the cabin was out of power overnight and lost a few trees, but thankfully, nothing sustained any damage.

Highlights of the weekend:

• Jake unsure of whether or not he likes fireworks. We went to the town's fireworks show Saturday night and had our own "show" Sunday night. Both nights he started out really excited and smiling, but ended up in tears and needed mom and dad to comfort him.
• Jake slept in his own bed next to mom and dad. He felt pretty cool about it.
• Jake became more daring and was jumping off the pontoon on shore in his life jacket and Lightning McQueen inner tube.
• Jake had fun hanging out with his Auntie Haley and Uncle Ben and their friends, along with Joe's cousin Andrew and his girlfriend, Connie. Connie said she would love to babysit Jake, for a reduced price. We may have to take him up on it.
• Beautiful weather during the days and nights.
• Spending time with family that we don't get to see often :)

Dinner Time at the Deters

Finally, Summertime!

Summer may have actually arrived in Minnesota. I know, it is hard to believe, but I think it may be the real deal. That is why I was not on top of posting anything this week. Maybe I was just lazy, who knows.

Joe was off this week to get some things done around the house. The main thing he did was to power wash and stain the deck. He worked really hard on it and it looks really nice. Of course, he was out there on some really warm days. I am waiting to take a picture, because it is wet now from the rains last night. The other project he did that I was really excited about was putting a storm door on our front door. We can now have the front door open without any bugs coming in to join us. It is nice to have the breeze, too. It is the little things...

Highlights of the week:

• We took Paige to her dance lessons on Monday. She was so cute in her little outfit and ballet shoes. Jake and I played at the playground at the school she took lessons at. He loves going to new playgrounds and tackle the new challenges there. The two of them were so funny chattering away in the car. At one point I heard, "Can you say it louder, I can't hear you Paige?" Was I transporting 3 year olds or 90 year olds?
• Jake tried out his new slip and slide in the backyard. He did not actually understand how to do it properly, but was really good at army crawling up and down. I learned, the hard way, how important it is to remove the slip and slide right away. We have a little patch ofgrass that is not too happy with me :(
• We made our first trip to the sand bottom pool in Shakopee with my friend Karla and herdaughter Annika. Jake will probably call her "Baby Ahhka" for the rest of her life...We had a blast full of laughs!
• Joe and I went to dinner and a movie while Grandma Bien watched Jake.
• We went to another friend's house to swim on Thursday. That was one of the hotter days this week. Jake was able to see a friend from daycare, which he was excited about. This day was the looongest day, as Jake was up early, had no nap, and wouldn't go to bed nicely. I am surprised we all made it out alive!
• We went out on the boat for a few hours yesterday. We ate lunch, fished a little, and swam. It was nice to be on the water, as it was 99 degrees! Jake didn't want to nap when we got back, but it wasn't too long before he was out on the couch.
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