2024 Part Two: Summer

We had a full summer. A road trip to Great Smoky Mountain National Park, a week at family camp, our usual Fourth of July in Evansville, a week at my uncle's cabin with my whole family, including our London-based relatives, and camps for the kids. Clare got to go to a friend's cabin for a few days, which was a highlight for her. It felt like too much, almost, even though it was all fun.  We might try to keep it more low key this summer, although I think I say that every year.

JUNE

For Clare's 13th birthday, I let her get acrylic nails. She was so happy. I also let her skip school and go out to lunch with me.

Christopher at Cub Scout camping, which I got to attend because Ben was at a soccer tournament with Clare.

Our beginning of summer tradition: a trip to our local bookstore, Red Balloon, followed by lunch at Cafe Latte.

We took a road trip to Smoky Mountain National Park, and stopped at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky on our way. We always have a great time on our road trips. On this trip, we also visited my uncle at his house in North Carolina. States unlocked for the kids: Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina.

We went horseback riding at the park...it was so cool!

Annual Lock and Dam pic in Mpls.


JULY

Once again the pictures imported in reverse order, but whatever. 

Cousins at Minnehaha Falls.

Yes, this is in Wisconsin

We had a great time at my uncle's cabin. My uncle wasn't there...we rented it for the week. There were canoes, kayaks, a pontoon, time in town, a sauna, swimming...lots of fun on the lake.

Oh, and mini golf, too.

The largest candy store in Minnesota.

We watched the Twins take on the Brewers.

We spent a week at Camp Northern Lights. We love our time at family camp.

At the pool in Janesville.

Fourth of July! Clare still doesn't like loud noises, so Ben and I have a date night at the fireworks each year.

AUGUST

We camped with friends at Glacial Lakes State Park in northwestern Minnesota. It was a beautiful weekend, weather-wise, and we had a fun time.

Christopher at the Como Zoo.

Clare went to the Fair twice this year, once with a friend and once with Ben. Christopher and I missed it. But we were fine with that.

2024 Part One: Winter/Spring

Oh, 2024, what to say about you. There was good stuff and pretty bad stuff. Some stuff happened that will lead to even more really bad stuff. I can't control any of that, and I am trying not to let it steal my joy. 

I'm not sure how much I'll remember from early last year, but I thought it would be fun to reminisce with a few (or more) photos from each month.

JANUARY

We started the year with a quick trip to Duluth: train museum, aquarium, Glensheen Mansion, walking by Lake Superior, hotel pool, shopping in Canal Park, pizza and Food Network.

Shortly after this picture was taken Christopher confessed that he put his entire foot in the lake and it was soaking wet. (He was trying to retrieve his Mitten, which was also in the lake. Oh Christopher.)

Cherry was happy to see us when we got home from Duluth.

Clare and I attended a Gopher Women Gymnastic meet. She is still scared of Goldy Gopher.

Christopher's favorite part of the Science Museum.

I went on a Reading Retreat at my friend's cabin near Spooner, Wisconsin. We read all day, drank wine and chatted. It was amazing. (We didn't drink all of that wine.)

FEBRUARY

Clare before (or maybe after) her winter school dance.

Last winter was mild, but Clare still got to take her first downhill ski lesson. No surprise here, she loved it. She is hoping to go again this year.

Noodles lunch. The kids love Noodles. I like it less.

Josie and Christopher at our annual Super Bowl/Valentine's Day Party. (We always order heart-shaped pizzas and have a funfetti cake. Plus lots of snacks.)

Being weirdos on a visit to the Cuckoo House.

 

I got to visit Christopher at school for a reading event. It makes me so happy that both kids love to read as much as I do.

MARCH

Okay, for some reason the photos are now importing out of order. So we'll start with the end of March.

      

Easter at the Cuckoo House!

Clare made it to Regionals for History Day, much to her dismay. (She chose her type of project because she knew a lot of people would do them, which would reduce her chances of moving on. It didn't work.) She hated it, but she worked hard on her project about the BWCA and won an Honorable Mention ribbon. She was relieved not to make it to the State competition.

Christopher at the Pinewood Derby for Cub Scouts.

Christopher working hard on a fun school field trip to Biz Town. He was working as an insurance adjuster.

Dinner at our local.

APRIL

We took a family trip to Wausau at the beginning of April - we met Meema and Baba and the local cousins and stayed in a hotel and went out to eat - and Christopher walked around town reading a book.

The four of us went to our friends' cabin over spring break. We had a great time eating, drinking and going to a distillery and the shops in town.

I also haven't laughed this hard since then.

Another school dance!

I went to Sauna Camp on a lake with friends. It is open all winter, but we went for the April session. The lake was still frigid. It was wonderfully refreshing.

Clare in costume as Tina-Louise. She was great in the school play!

MAY

The start of baseball season!

Clare made a delicious home cooked meal for Ben and my wedding anniversary. Also, dessert!

Mother's Day breakfast in bed.

Christopher with his project at the spring project Fair.

At a St. Paul Saint's game.

This may look like a warm sunny day at the beach, but don't be fooled. This is Lake Superior in May. Air temp: 45 degrees. Water temp: 40 degrees. Yes, they both went under.

We were in Grand Marais with friends. Their cabin is just north of town. We brought our camper and had a fun weekend together.

Christopher plus goat.