SUDDENLY SOUTHERN
For the 12th year in a row, we headed to northern MN to spend a week with extended family. When I say extended, I mean REALLY extended - as in, my brother-in-law's brother-in-law's parents even come. How's that for stretching that family tree?
It's a gorgeous jewel of a lake with 40,000 acres of cold clear water and 365 islands, and 1400 miles of shoreline. We stake claim on about 200 yards of that! That week is somehow packed with fun, laughter, peace and quiet. What I love best about it is something my kids won't realize for quite a few years: Every day that we spend there, we're building memories. One day, they'll sit around with their cousins and laugh about their days up north at the lake.
Someone had to be the craft Nazi - this is our gorgeous result!
My mother-in-law had her own craft going - she knitted the girls some long scarves from fun fur - Grace is the youngest of the girls in the picture, and she especially looooooooooved her scarf from her adopted Grandma Dar.
Stephanie, Taylor, Katie and Grace
There was one afternoon of non-beach activity - the kids and uncles went to visit a couple of mines in the area. One was an open mine, and the other was half a mile under ground - iron ore.
Dinner (ok, supper) is a social highlight to our day - we all meet in the biggest cabin to eat together.
My sister, Kresson - and my mom and dad
Tessa is the youngest of the group - she's 6 months old and a CUTIE!
Somehow, this Lambchop makes the trip every year, too? And she never gets any older, unlike the rest of us!
More pictures on the next page!
