Family Fun & Prairie du Chien

Thanks to sis for an open invitation to her "2nd home" in Prairie du Chien!  We have made many summer memories there this year.  We are looking forward to seeing her family and our parents there again this Labor Day weekend.

Pirates Katelyn & Asher

Ezra gets hugs from Aunt Holly

Daddy gives Ezra a ride.

Ezra & Chase throwing rocks.

Cousin fun on the banks of the Mississippi at sunset.

Snuggles and sleep with daddy.

Happy Father's Day

Kisses for Father's Day.

Uncle Mark takes the kids out fishing.

Katelyn caught a fish!

Pirates were happily surprised that a ship came to town.

The boys have experienced a number of firsts this summer, many because of Aunt Holly.  I took Ezra to his first movie this Summer at our local theater, and Holly introduced him to Kool-Aid.  The boys enjoyed Mark & Holly's "speed boat" and also fishing with Mark and daddy on the Mississippi River.  Also, we took them canoeing for the first time on the Cedar River, and the boys tried out tubing tied up to Holly and family (pictures in a soon-to-come BLOG post).  Ezra still remembers Aunt Holly cuddles and napping with Holly on her tube.  And this year is the first time my children have ever been able to stay up long enough to view 4th of July fireworks.

Carrot cake... an early birthday celebration.

Picnic time.  Grandma smiles, but the boys are too hungry.

Time to play.

Asher and Katelyn with glow necklaces.

Sunset over the Mississippi.

 

Hiking Adventures in Trempealeau at Perrot State Park

I was ambitious and joined a group of ladies (most from our church) on a day of hiking at Perrot State Park.  It was HARD work hiking up the West side, but the view was amazing.

Up, up, up... I think the we were going up to Eagle Bluff.

Can you see Winona, Minnesota in the distance?

Beautiful view of the Mississippi River & the Minnesota hills.

Coming back down was much easier.

Horse Shoe Falls (amazing formation, but not much water flowing that day).

Not long after, Al and I brought the boys back for a family picnic and hike. We just went up and back down the East side, because it was a much easier trek.  The boys were thrilled to be out hiking with their walking sticks.

Ready to go with backpack & sticks in hand.

Up we go... Asher leads the way.

Ezra was a trooper and was determined to get to the top.

Ezra coming out of the trees into the light.

Mississippi River and Minnesota hills.

Another beautiful day to enjoy the wonderful view.

A little hot but happy to have reached his goal.

Ezra taking some "notes" in his nature journal.