Camp Hygge...

Usually I get a week with my nieces, but they have so many things going on we only had 3 days.  You can pack a lot into three days.  I picked them up at the rodeo.  A wet rodeo it was.  It was pretty cool to go back to a place where I had raced many a barrel.  I saw a lot of people I knew.  

 I love the photo above, because Taylor's mom, her sisters, and brother are in he background.  Below is Sierra's pole run.  

 It is tradition to stop somewhere and take photos on the way home.  This year I knew the theme had to be sweet clover, as it was everywhere.

 There is something very peaceful about driving across the South Dakota prairie.

 This year's project was horseshoe art.  The girls did a great job, but I forgot to take a photo of them with the finished product.  This year's big adventure was tubing.  We didn't have an air compressor, so we fit five filled tubes and four excited girls in the Jeep.  It was a challenge to say the least.  I'm not going to lie, it was quiet scary.  There were waterfalls and poison ivy.  Somehow we lived and had fun.  It will definitely be on the list for next year.  I do think I will have a life jacket for the smaller ones.

 Baking is always a part of our time together.  One night we had a cookie backing competition.  Uncle Kelly was the judge.  We had several categories.  It was a lot of fun and the cookies turned out grand.  On the last day we made jam, gummies, salted banana pie, and sour cream peach pie.  The oldest loves my lasagna recipe and always helps when I make a batch.  Of course, we went hiking.  We drove up a 4-Wheeling Jeep trail.  I am happy to say the girls never questioned my choice of roads or driving.  When we got to the top we hiked to a fire look-out.  I really wish I had taken a photo of the lookout. 

 The fishing was hilarious.  That is the biggest fish we caught.  Funny thing is the girls made such a ruckus whenever they caught one of the little sunnies that pretty soon every fisherman on the lake was edging towards us.  One finally had to come see our haul.  I doubt he was impressed with our 7 sunnies.  We sure had fun.  We also played a lot of giant Jenga, bean bag toss, and even a board game.  We were pretty wore out after three days.  I always look forward to time with the nieces.  I worry the older ones won't have fun, but they still seem to enjoy our forays.  Next year the littlest boy gets to come.  I still haven't figured out where I'm going to put him in the Jeep.  

Do you have a summer family tradition?  Did you spend a week with somebody?  What is your favorite summer family memory?

Time out

It is that time of the year again.  A week with Aunt Bonnie.  I will let you know about our adventures next Sunday.

Flowers and more flowers...

Please forgive me.  I finally have flowers so I'm afraid you are going to see them until you are nauseous.   This isn't the best photo, but I have enjoyed watching the three baby chipmunks that have found a home in my birdhouse.  They are a hoot to watch.   The beauty below trotted by Monday morning as I was having coffee on the porch.  I wondered what Ella would do if she saw the fox and the answer is... Nothing.  She just watched it go by.

 

My mother-in-law gave me some monstrous hostas.  I had more fun hauling them around and taking photos of the in the cart Kelly rejuvenated for me.  

I had am truly happy to see the garden in bloom.  Today was the perfect day.  The sun was out and then this evening it cooled down nicely.  We were surprised by fireworks last Sunday, as it was raining too hard to shoot them off on the Fourth.   Kelly and I enjoyed a few days at home after a whirlwind family tour.  

I'm sure your gardens are way ahead of mine.  What do you have blooming?

Whirlwind Family Tour...

Kelly and I went on a whirlwind family tour.  We were able to visit my sister, his mom, his brothers and sisters, his nieces and nephews, my brother and my parents.  It was a big loop up I-90 and back through South Dakota and Highway 14 & 34.  Although it was a quick visit, it was good to see everyone.  A few photo highlights...
There are always hummingbirds in Minnesota and Darlene is still in her 70's.  We had to drive by and check.

Kelly's mom was renovating her garden, so she gave me 3 giant hostas, lilies, and purple cone flowers.  One hosta filled half the pickup bed.  People kept looking at us, because it looked like there was a garden in the back of the pickup.  They made it home and were immediately transplanted under the deck.  A big thanks to Cindy.  

 What?  A picture of a lake in Minnesota.  Who would think of such a thing?

We took a walk every morning at the St. Charles park.  It was very nice.  Then off again to South Dakota.  At my parents it isn't hummingbirds, but turkeys.  Not lakes, but the Missouri River.  We took the back roads and I must say it was nice to slow down and not have traffic.  

 Mom's flowers were amazing.

 This family of squirrels was romping all over.  These two stopped for a quick family portrait.

 I am so lucky I was home for the cactus blooms.

 The Prairie is My Garden

 Look at that little bugger run.

 A look across the mighty Missouri River.

 Canvasback Ducks

 I was lucky to get this shot outside of Sturgis, South Dakota.  The sweet clover is crazy this year and I can't think of a prettier shot.

It was a wonderful trip and great seeing everyone.  Best of all, coming home to a yard in full bloom was a perfect end.  Did you go anywhere for the Fourth of July?