travel to the lake

 It began on Monday.  Four hours to St. Louis.  One hour into it, I found myself wedged between two car seats and sitting on one hip while all parts of my legs fell asleep.  I documented this so I could later say "remember this?  remember when I was a mama that would do things like that?

 Jack didn't care.  He was not happy to ride in a car seat for four hours.  In fact, he didn't for some of the time.  Hush.  You do what you have to.  And I will have to think about future travel with him and the cost of flying vs. driving.  Yes, really.

 The next morning, we hit the airport and Kate had a Dunkin Donut for breakfast.  Third DD in her life.

 Jack was happy camper and all signs of travel hatred were out the window.

 Arrival in Brainerd gave us a great start!  We were thirty minutes early -- and Grandpa was 15 minutes late.  Love the renovations at the BLA airport.

 Kate found her post to wait for Grandpa, shades and all.

 Hello, Gull Lake!  We have missed you!

 First boat ride for Jack.  Yep...he is a Rogers.  Loves the wind, waves, and hum of the motor.

 Other happy campers on the boat ride!

Ahhhhhhhhhhh...zzzzzzz....

fly-in: a family affair

 Frannie and Hadi came in for an engagement party and we also went out to see the planes.  Such a fun day.

 Jack was interested in Mom's neck.

Week in Review

 I went with Mom to take Norman to an internist because he has cancer.  He is going through a treatment now, and we are hoping he will be here for a few more years.  I can't even think about life without Norman.  Don't want to.  When I got home, this little guy wanted to snuggle and I gave it.  Really persuasive guy!  :-)

 Then it was lights out.

 The next day, Kate and I had lattes on the porch while I gave her a mani/pedi to get her ready for Minnesota.  She is not the best at waiting for them to dry.  Nor am I!

 The beautiful sky one morning when Jack awoke far earlier than I would have liked.  Seeing this sky was so amazing that I didn't mind.  The bottom picture is like one that my grandma Marlys painted and I have.  So beautiful.

Little Ballerina

 I stopped doing portrait photography for Kate because I didn't think it captured her well.  Maybe that is just me being a "mom," but I didn't like the editing, coloring, etc. that was happening in her pictures.  BUT I did decide to do a couple of ballet pictures for a quick photo shoot session that was being offered and I loved them.  Ordered and will be here to hang on my wall!

s'mores

 One night, it was cool enough to have a fire after dinner.  An impromptu party around the fire with s'mores.  Aunt Jenny joined us for dinner and dessert as well.  Servin' up some fun in the country.

If you pose like that, I am going to take a picture!  :-)

farm and family

The warmer spring and summer have allowed us to spend hours outside.  As in most of the waking hours.  This has been great for all of us -- except Matt.  He is missing this time at home because the farm is always where he wanted to be and now that we are here, he isn't getting to enjoy that much of it.  When he is here, we grill and play outside like we are on a camping trip.  

 Norman came out to visit while Mom and Jim went on an overnight birthday celebration.  Norman kind of dug the fact that we spend so much time outside.  He finally got the hang of relaxing in the shade as opposed to the blazing sun.  He scouted a lot of "things."  Didn't do much about them, but he did watch.

 Kate wanted to take a picture of me, wife beater on and latte in hand. Hey, it was hot.  Not my greatest moment of fashion.

 Kate needs a wheelbarrow to get all of her stuff back and forth.  The kid acts like we are leaving every time we go outside.  She gathers the toys of the moment and hauls them all out.  It could be for ten minutes or three hours.  And the toys always change.  Bubbles?  Don't do much anymore.  Sidewalk chalk?  Not often.  Just toys on the picnic table.  And lately the toys are more dolls than anything else.  Mama, they are napping.  Can you talk quieter?  Mama, they are awake and need something to drink.  Mama, they are cold.  Can you get them a blanket?  Mama, they want to swing with me.  Can you push us? 

 And in another beauty boost, Kate even brings her hairstyling stuff outside.  The reason?  I won't let her use the water sprayer inside due to the soaking she does on and around the head.  Like the carpet is wet.  So, we have moved the parlor to the picnic table or porch (she has two stations).  A few twists of the hair, a few smacks of the head with the brush, and I am ready to go!

 Mason head vs. Rogers head.  Sweetness either way.

 A little flashdance (and her show was on) vs. "I don't like this show."

 closeness.

 wind.

 pursed lips.

 diva love.

A good summer in the making.

She was Siamese, if you please

Not to brag too much, but Sister NAILED it!  She knew her dance and did not need the leader.  In fact, when she did look to the leader, she lost her place.  BUT, she got right back in step after she trusted her knowledge of the dance.  She loved every minute of it.  Even though she was tired.  Even though she hurt her heel (who knows) the day before.  Even though her tummy hurt.  Even though she was starving.  Even though...she worked through all excuses and was a great Siamese cat!

 Carri babysat Jack (and was excellent even though she doesn't normally babysit babies, she says).  Kendall came to see all of the kids she babysits, and Kate was so happy to see her after the show.  I even captured that sentiment in the first picture.

 Kelly's daughter, Annie, was in two numbers.  Still pretty as ever!

 Kate meowed and fluffed as all cats do...and should.

 Starting in March, she began her request for pink flowers after the recital.  I ordered them a month ago, just so I didn't forget to get the right flowers.  I even put reminders in my phone to pick them up Saturday before noon, because the florist was not open on Sunday.  I sneaked them into Mom's outside fridge when Kate wasn't looking.  She was asking about them the whole way to the recital because she didn't see them.

 Imagine her surprise when her Daddy handed them to her after the recital.  The red ones that I also purchased are in a vase downstairs; the pink roses are right next to her bed.  Along with her pink hydrangeas from Mom's house.

 Martha and Mom also came to see her strut her stuff.  And Mimi, Papaw, and Aunt Jenny.  Thank you ALL for making the effort and staying until the end.  Only thirteen more recitals?!