5 stitches

Mr. and Mrs. Alan Files

6 going on 16

Brothers

Last night as we were at the store picking up a few things the kids were getting a little rowdy.  I told Larson & Secily that they needed to come stand right by me, & each put a hand onto the checkout counter. I continued to unload my cart onto the conveyer belt.

I hear giggling.

I look over and they do have their hands on the checkout counter as instructed, but are now hanging from it, and swinging/sliding under the counter and back.  They catch my eye, and say "Mom!  We've turned the punishment into funishment!"

Trip to Canada - Part 3

The Farm!!

After a great weekend at the Lake, we loaded up and headed out to Saskatchewan, and the family farm.  (We were in 3 provinces during our little trip up North).
It's always great to be in Saskatchewan, but it is especially great to be there in the summer.  The days are warm & long, the nights are short & cool....beautiful.

We loved our time at the farm.  We wasted no time getting out on the tractors! 

 We had the whole gang on a Larson Parade to go and haul water!

Checking that all was well with the water 

 Grandpa & the kids....so many rides around the farm yard!

We went to visit Aunt Grace

Although she may not look it, she really was happy that we were there!  :) 

A lot of time spent in the back of the truck,  

trimming trees, climbing on the roof....

Jane LOVED riding in the front seat!!

Larson & Secily loved sitting on the tail gate!

The crab apples were good for picking....

We even got a good thunderstorm while we were there.

We watched the storm from the garage

And then we saw these crazy clouds afterwards - pretty!

It was such fun to see so many cousins!  Loved visiting with all of you!

Great to see Uncle Ken & Aunt Helen too - the kids loved all of the bikes & trikes that Uncle Ken brought out 

Larson was so pumped that Terry had a bow & arrow!

One of the bikes that Uncle Ken brought out....hilarious!

Sweet cousins!

Some classic Saskatchewan shots....

Such a fun trip.  We loved our time at the farm!

Trip to Canada - Part 2

We left Duluth, and headed North!  Our first stop once we crossed the border was my Grandparent's Cottage on Lake of the Woods, Ontario.   I have so many wonderful childhood memories of spending summers at the lake with all of my cousins, and was so excited to take Ryan & the kids to see it.

The Seven C's....that's where we were headed!

Such a peaceful view.

The Point - complete with Canadian Flag & 7 C's sign. 

My Grandparents celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary this summer - how awesome is that!?

Larson jumping off of the boathouse roof!  

Ryan.

Grandma, the girls & I took a paddleboat ride.  

Secily was so nervous to jump off the boathouse roof.  She went up there and looked down, she watched Larson, Ryan, my Dad & I jump, she stood on the edge and then scooted back, then finally.....she did it!

When Ryan asked her how she became so brave she said that she was just up there praying!  

Such fun jumping off of the dock...

My cousin Tara & her family came to visit - so much fun to see her!  She & I have a million memories together at this place.  

A view of the dock & boathouse from the water.

My sweet parents drove from Saskatchewan to join us at the lake!  So fun to be there with them.  

My favorite swing.  

In the boat, on the way to the Rockeries.

The Rockeries hasn't changed one bit since I was last there.  

Grandpa & Secily rode in the front of the boat.  I can't believe that I don't have a picture of my Uncle Earl & Aunt Adele who so sweetly took us out in their boat!  Thanks UE & AA!

Fishing.

Grandma & Larson.  My Grandparents have had this cottage for almost 50 years, so my mom has spent a lot of time there.....fun to see her there with her grandkids!  

Ah, yes, the shower in the lake.  So great. 

Thanks for a wonderful visit Grandma & Grandpa!  

Trip to Canada - Part 1

We were so happy to be able to head to Canada for a few weeks this summer.  We left Dallas, flew to Minneapolis, and then rented a car to drive up.  We were SO thankful to have made our flights - poor Ryan had worked all night the night before we left, met us at the airport at 7 am, and then wound up having to ride in the cockpit because there wasn't room in the back of the plane!  (No, he wasn't flying the plane....thankfully!) We spent the first night in Duluth, MN.  We stayed right on Lake Superior......

The kids enjoyed playing with,

 and on the rocks,

while Ryan swam out to whatever this was.

 A good first day of traveling.