Gumdrop cookies

While Shecklet #2 and Shecklet #3 went to ski/snowboard, Shecklet #1 and Shecklet #4 helped me in the kitchen. We made a batch of one of my favorite cookies from childhood – my Grandma Fran’s gumdrop cookies.

Rose hunt 🌹

I took the kids on a rose hunt in a local suburb. We tracked down over half of the 20 statues scattered throughout the city. It was fun to see the different ways that the artists used paint and other mediums to decorate the 3D canvases.

I don’t have many photos of just me with the Shecklets individually, so I made sure to capture them today.

Nissedalen – Day 6 – 2020

We stayed an extra day so we could see one of Jake’s cousins who we haven’t seen since last fall. It was great to see her and meet the friends she is spending time with this week at Nissedalen.

After lunch, we took Jake’s grandma to visit Jake’s uncle, another cousin and her kids. We went on a pontoon ride, the kids swam and tubed, and we sat on the dock and chatted. It was another amazing day. I don’t think we could have asked for better weather than we have had this week.

Grandma Lois treated all of us to pizza before we loaded up our truck to head home. We are returning with sun-kissed cheeks and a week of fun memories 💕

Nissedalen – Day 5 – 2020

We had amazing weather all week. More tubing and skiing today. Shecklet #2 and our friend skied together, which was fun to watch!

After our friends headed for home – to recover from the week at the lake – we took the kids for dinner (A&W) and stopped at one of the local go-kart places. I predicted that Shecklet #2 would race the fastest and try to lap his siblings, Shecklet #3 would try to keep up with Shecklet #2, and Shecklet #1 would drive at his own pace, not affected by either #2 or #3. My prediction was correct. Shecklet #4 wasn’t interested in racing, so she gave the climbing wall a try.

Nissedalen – Day 2 – 2020

Another gorgeous day filled with skiing, tubing, fishing, kayaking, floating in the water, grilling for dinner and relaxing by the lake. (And a quick trip to town to visit the Chocolate Ox.)

The moon was beautiful tonight.

Nissedalen – Day 1 – 2020

This was my view today.

I know I’ve taken similar pictures in the past, but I love this view so much. It is such a relaxing place to be, especially after the last six months. I’m grateful Jake’s grandma is willing to give us the opportunity to vacation here. This summer we were able to bring friends with us. The kids are having so much fun. And it’s only day 1!

Here’s my evening view.

Playing solo in the snow

This kid. This independent, carefree, confident, and loving kid.

She is currently playing in the snow by herself (because her siblings didn’t want to go outside) and she is having no problem entertaining herself. Maybe it’s personality or maybe it’s the practice she had during the two years when her other three siblings were off at school.  I don’t know what it is, but she’s great at it.

I love to just sit and watch her play, to listen to the stories she tells as she “teaches” or plays with her dolls. Her imagination is beautiful. I’m so thankful that I am her mom.