NORTHERN EXPOSURE

The three of us left for Minnesota by way of Atlanta...
If you think aircraft seats have become more cramped lately,
try traveling underneath one...(Mom's feet stink, too)
Deerwood, Minnesota... VRBO Listing #230547
I'll begin with our only complaint: mosquitoes!!
Other than that, the place was great...including the playhouse
for housing captured frogs named "Trouble."
Located on Portage Lake, the spacious house was perfect for
hanging out with grandsons...
Reading to others....
or reading to yourself....
listening to fatherly wisdom...
Most of us liked our sleeping quarters...
even if we had to bunk together.
The kitchen was perfect for fixing food...
eating food....
talking while watching others fix food....
Food was a big part of our week....
So was relaxing...
playing...
cuddling each other...
getting exercise and giving it...
playing computer games with the cousins...
getting a back rub from your sister...
looking cute....
One night we had a poetry reading by Ethan...
poems written in 1977 by his mother, aunts & grandparents.
Birding is always part of any vacation with Papa.
Jessica's camera captured this one of a bald eagle.
We called Uncle Joseph to report this find.
But our favorite spot was the dock,
where Julie spent a lot of time fishing.
While some relaxed and swam by the dock...
I held John's rapt attention with my lively chatter...
A highlight was the pontoon boat we rented for a few days...
It was a good place for hanging out...
But once out on the lakes....
Julie could fish some more...
We could enjoy the sunshine...
Or the breeze in the shade...
It held all 13 of us comfortably...
Some more comfortably than others...
Papa impressed some of us with his amazing....
back flip off the side of the boat...
Some weren't that impressed...
Some just kept looking cute...
But the amazing mother-daughter tubing team...
showed us how to do it...
Well, that is until the Grace, Ethan & Hunter trio
took to the water.
Papa said there was not...
enough mustard in all of....
Minnesota to cover these...
HOT DOGS!!!
First Ethan shows his stuff...
Then Grace does her surfer girl thingy...
Surfer dude Hunter perfects his form...
Tate is not impressed....
neither is Becky...
UNTIL....Aunt Jean and Grace...
take to the water...
Becky stands up and takes notice...
Papa keeps tabs...
On the "Talking Heads" (their name for themselves).
Fun in the sun...
Captain Jim and first mate Ethan...
I love being with sister Jean and we're so glad...
that she & John could stop by for a couple days.
Captain Jim has a new crew....
Who's this hot grandma??
The captain's lady...
John gave driving lessons to Grace and the boys.
Now who are they watching??
Gertie and her Daddy!!

HIKING

Papa led the Saturday morning Corps of Discovery.
A paved "trail" makes an easy hike...
and Hunter can use his "wheels."
Becky makes sure her "herd" stays together.
Papa's offspring doing what he loves most--
Hiking in the woods.
Three grandsons make life fun...
And three granddaughters.....
make life sweet!!
And next vacation there will be one more!!