Lake Elmo Reserve Camping

Summers get so busy and we really wanted to get out camping this summer so when we had a free weekend we looked into different campgrounds and decided on Lake Elmo Reserve Park. It was perfect for us! It's only 20 minutes from home and it had what we needed (a place to swim and play)! We got a "primitive" campsite, which was a little ways from our car, but after walking through the modern campground (with hookups) we realized this was perfect for us! We had space and there were only 5 campsites and they weren't all right next to each other.

While I was packing things up on Friday I decided to pull our tent out to make sure everything was in the tent bag. I'm REALLY glad I did, as our tent wasn't in the bag--the rainfly and steaks and poles were there--but no tent! The last time we used it was last summer at Luke's parents house. We have another tent, but it's smaller and I wasn't sure it would work for the 4 of us. The Hennum's saved the day! They let us borrow their tent (which is the same model as ours) along with their stove! Thanks again, Hennum's! On our drive to the campsite we figured out where our tent is......and has been for the last year--in Jake's trunk! 

The kids had an absolute blast! We got to the campsite around 5:30 on Friday evening and started setting up camp. Of course I forgot a few things (like matches for the fire), but the campground had some we could use, whew! We set up our tent and unpacked and then started the fire to make dinner. 

Dinner on Friday night!

After dinner we made smores and relaxed by the fire! It was such a nice night out we didn't even need our rain fly on--we slept under the bright moon!

Yummy-smores!

Relaxing by the fire with daddy!

Playing in the locker room!

Hanging out in the lockers!

Saturday we got up, made breakfast, relaxed and headed on a hike to the beach!

Hiking to the beach!

There was a man made beach with chlorinated water at the beach--it was perfect for us! We stayed in the shallow water, where the deepest part was 3 feet deep! The kids played in the sand, swam in the water, we had a picnic and played around for a few hours!

Building sand castles

Buried in the sand!

There was a really cool park next to the beach-so the kids played there for a bit after we swam. We were all pretty tired from not getting the best nights sleep in the tent, so we didn't last too long at the park. After the park we took a little drive so the kids could nap. They both took about a 30 minute snooze and then we headed back to the campsite.

Always looking for frogs!

His collection of frogs!

Checking up on his frogs

As we came back to the campsite it started to rain--we didn't have our rain fly on the tent, so Luke ran to put it on and Nora and I went to get some more firewood. There was no rain in the forecast for the weekend and it was hot and humid, so I wasn't prepared for rain at all--we didn't have any raincoats and only 1 umbrella. It was a warm rain, so it wasn't too bad--it didn't last TOO long and so it wasn't too bad after all!

Taking shelter during the rain

Hiding out under the tree during the rain

As you can tell, there was A LOT of frog catching that went on!

Hanging out at our campsite before dinner!

Sunday morning brought more fun--we ate breakfast, relaxed by the campsite and the kids looked for more frogs!

Nora feeding her frog icecream!

The kids had a great time together and we gave them a little freedom to go look for frogs on their own for a bit. They had so much fun and Bishop told me on Sunday morning that Nora is his best friend. It completely melted my heart! I love these two so much and I'm so happy they're happy together! Bishop is always looking out for Nora and taking care of her...he adores her and is so good to her (for the most part)! :)

"Best Friends"

While preparing to go camping is a lot of work we thoroughly enjoyed our time together and Luke and I both felt like we were able to relax a bit. We were never in a hurry to do anything and that is exactly what we needed! The kids had a blast and they're still talking about it and wanting to go back!

Track Meet and Great Grandpa Arnie's birthday

Tuesday night was National Night Out and since our neighborhood celebrates in Sept we don't have a block party on National Night Out. Luke was out of town along with his co-worker and friend, so they invited us to their block party. The kids had a blast! There was a jumpy house and a play firehouse and the kids had fun running around (and eating multiple cupcakes)!

Nora and her buddy, Ashton, from school!

Nora and Jack taking a break!

Wednesday Grandma came to visit! She always brings the kids cookies from the Cold Spring Bakery and they absolutely LOVE them, of course! :)

Grandma and the kids with their cookies--a frog and a purple one! :)

There was an all comers track meet at SW High School Wednesday night. Kids and adults can participate and so we went to check it out. Bishop and Nora both ran the 60 meter dash and the 100 and Bishop did the long jump! It was so much fun and very well organized and put together!

Warming up before their races!

Bishop was in heaven. He smiled the whole time and had a great time. He's a bit competitive though--and he kept saying "I'm going to WIN"! Nora caught on and was soon saying the same thing! :)

Bishop won the 60 meter dash and didn't stop at the finish line--he kept running around the curve! Nora had a tough time getting off the starting line. She needed a little help from mom to make it down the track! :)

Nora and Jack practicing before the race!

Nina let me know about the event, as she had taken Jack once before. He remembered the loud gun and had his hands over his ears the entire night!

Lining up before the race! 

Sharing a lane!

All smiles!

Holding on for dear life!

After the 60 meter dash came the 100 meter dash. Bishop was a little more reluctant to run since there were older kids in his heat and he didn't want to lose-but he ran hard and gave it his all and did great.....and smiled at the end! :) Nora wasn't going to miss out on something Bishop was doing--she said "I want to run the 100" and got up to the starting line with the bigger kids! She really wanted to share a lane with Bishop, but they kept asking her to take her own lane. When the gun went off she just turned and walked to her dad. I'm glad she enjoyed it and wanted to run again, especially after the 60 meter dash! :)

Waiting for the results after the 100 meter dash!

It would have been Great Grandpa Arnie's 91st birthday on Wednesday so we celebrated at the park after the track meet with cupcakes (I got the idea from my very thoughtful sister)! :) I miss his smile and his stories and being able to visit him when we go to Owatonna, but I'm so thankful he's not in pain anymore and it's comforting to know he's in a better place! I love you, Grandpa and we'll never forget you!

Birthday

Saturday was my birthday and I would have to say that I was completely spoiled this year! I had such a great birthday and am so blessed with such wonderful family and friends!

My celebration started out on Wed with pedicures and happy hour with Shelly! She had asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I told her I wanted to spend time with her--and just her! We are fortunate enough to be able to see each other quite often, but we never are able to catch up without being interrupted! It was the most perfect afternoon/evening ever! I love my sister so much-she is absolutely amazing! I have ALWAYS looked up to her and I treasure her friendship so much. Her happiness and beauty just radiates and she is the best friend a girl (or sister) could ever ask for! Thanks for the pedicure and wine, you are the best, Shelly-I love you so much!

 The celebration continued on Friday, as I took the day off to spend with the kids. We went to the MN Zoo and were prepared to play in the splash pad! Nana joined us and we had a great time! We saw a lot of the animals, went on a carousel ride, went to the BIG BUGS exhibit, played in the splash pad and went through the Butterfly Exhibit. It was a great day! Thanks for joining us, Nana!

With Nana in front of the tarantula

On the caterpillar!

Riding on the Carousel

Hanging out with Nana after the splash pad and Butterfly Exhibit!

 Friday night we went to St. Paul, as Ryan was in town from WI. A rain shower came through while we were there and the kids loved playing the puddles!

 From left to right: Johnny, Elsie, Nora, Bishop, Johnny, Theodore, Henry, Ben, Ruby and Logan.  Violet was inside playing dress-up with no interest in taking a picture! Amelia was at her Grandparents and Anna Rose and Evelyn hadn't arrived yet! It was a really fun night catching up with friends and having the kids play together!

 Saturday morning we got up and got ready to go to the Edina Pool! We had never been and it was the perfect day for some swimming! We went down the big slides together....swam in the big pool, played in the zero depth entry pool and slides and even relaxed on our towels for a bit! :)

The Heller's joined us and it was so great to see them too!

Hanging otu at the pool with Nora

Friends since Kindergarten!

Bishop LOVED the pool!

Taking a break in the sun!

After the pool we met my parents in Northfield and they took the kids for the night. The kids had both fallen asleep and were exhausted! Thanks again mom and dad for taking the kids so Luke and I could go out!

Luke and I came back and went out to eat at Burch Steak. The food was delicious--we both got the hangar steak and it was unbelievable! As we were eating dinner it was pouring outside--I watched it rain the whole time and was so nervous we were going to sit in the rain at the Paul McCartney concert. Thankfully the rain stopped by the time we left!

Dinner at Burch

 After dinner we went to the Paul McCartney show at Target field. It was AMAZING!! He played for 3 hours straight--40 songs!! He played a lot of Beatles and he sounded awesome! It was the perfect way to end a great day!

The stage with the skyline in the background

Gearing up for the music!

There were even fireworks at his show!

My parents brought the kids back up on Sunday and we celebrated with everyone at our house for brunch. The kids always have fun playing together!

Bishop (4 1/2), Madelyn (3), Nora (2 1/2), Jack (1 1/2)

Seriously, it was the best birthday yet! I had an absolutely wonderful weekend and I got to do everything I wanted and I smiled the entire time! I am blessed with such wonderful family and friends-thanks for making me feel so loved, everyone!