Camp!

The girls' favorite part of summer has come and gone ... the get-away at Camp Grady Spruce. Because Sara was a CIT this year, she stayed longer which meant Steve and I drove up and back three weekends in a row. It was a lot of time on the road, but so worth it!

Sara chose a bed right in the middle of the cabin this year! She was all set with her trunk, drawers, snacks, and all the themed-gear!

She made instant friends with a few girls who live nearby us, and even met them for lunch a few days after camp. These are such special relationships.

Everyday during camp, I scour the app to spot pictures of the girls. They always look so happy!

The CIT experience consisted of a combination of leadership training as well as assisting with younger cabins. This group also got in plenty of their own teenage camp fun!

Sara was at camp for the 4th, and saw the most amazing fireworks show over the lake.

The smiles speak volumes.

How could you not love this?!

When we brought Emma the following week, we were able to see Sara for a few minutes and check in. She was clearly feeling right at home, and was happy to see Emma.

As usual, Emma chose a corner bunk ... in the mix, but with her own little quiet nook!

This year, Emma really wanted to cliff jump ... she ended up not liking it, but was glad she attempted. It's a 20-foot jump! Sara did it, too, and Steve and I were shocked that the dare-devil roles were reversed with Sara enjoying it and Emma saying, "never again" - ha!

Emma also enjoyed waterskiing, getting up several times for long rides around the lake.

And of course she's always all in on the games!

Emma earned Camper of the Day on Thursday of her camp week, and said she cried during Friday's final camp fire at the thought of having to leave.

Like always, at pick-up, we found our girls with tanned freckle faces, raspy voices, caked in a little extra dirt ... and so sad to leave. Emma was able to participate in raggers this year, and Sara earned her fifth rag. I know that camp is going to always be such a core memory for them and I'm so thankful to be able to provide them this experience. They ALWAYS want to go back and they ALWAYS want to stay longer.

 

I wasn't sure how Sara would feel about potentially being a counselor next year after her CIT experience this year ... but she immediately said she wanted to go for it. Within about 48 hours of getting home, she had submitted her application and resume to be a junior counselor. She's made it through the first round of the application process, so we'll see what happens. Emma is begging to stay for more time next year, and I think we just might have to make that happen!

"You always are changed when you come back from summer camp." -Emma Stone

All the Summer Things!

Our summer has absolutely flown by! At the start of the summer, Sara completed her third year of volunteering with Dance Upon a Star, which culminated in the annual recital. I'm so proud of her dedication to this program and her heart for the dancers.

Steve rescued a bunny from the pool and nursed him back to health.

Even thought bringing him in the house was a good idea ... named him Pete.

We made Pete a cozy place to sleep in the garage, and gave him food and water. By the next morning, he'd hopped away!

We celebrated Father's Day with an at-home celebration complete with surf & turf.

Jim is happy anytime we're out by the pool enjoying the sun - although it's been less this year as we've had LOTS of summer rain. This guy loves his fresh air, though.

Sara's team completed UCA cheer camp. It wasn't quite as much fun this year because they did a home camp, but they ended with a pool party and lots of bonding time. I'm hopeful it's a great cheer year for her.

She also talked me into going shopping for Hoco dresses in June ... so early! Her school has an early September Hoco this year, and we found several she really liked. We were hungry after shopping and went for the steak frites at one of our favorite spots (clean plate club!).

Emma took a special trip with my parents to Chicago! I only have a few of the pictures - but she had the very best time! They saw all the hot spots, plus caught games at Wrigley and in Milwaukee. She really loved the Natural History Museum, the University of Chicago, and the capital in Madison. A complete highlight was jumping into 62-degrees Lake Michigan on hot days! I'm so glad she got this special time making memories.

I made a quick 48-hour trip to Minnesota to pick up Emma, and we made time for lots of fun. One of her favorite spots - rides at the Mall of America!

We loved this roller coaster back when the mall opened and it's still so much fun!

We made a trip to the MN Zoo, and Cal said he'd ride a camel if Emma went with him!

Then they went nuts playing games at The Tin Shed ... and he scored lots of treasures in the claw machine!

Emma and Whaler

Emma and I got back from MN and Sara left for camp the next day (separate camp post coming). While Sara was gone, Steve and I enjoyed having some alone time with Emma, who'd been gone for over a week! We enjoyed a Rangers game with several homeruns and a win ... plus $1 hotdog night!

I have a picture just like this of Steve and little Emma from several years ago.

We also had a fun night out where Emma mastered the pinball machine!

The 4th of July started as a pool day, and then the heavy rain came. We still grilled and enjoyed being outside, but under the porch. Thankfully it cleared up in time for fireworks.

We had to find a new spot this year because our usual lot has been developed. We'd heard good things about the top of the parking garage at a nearby mall, where you can see several fireworks displays. We did see multiple shows at once, including the one happening in the parking lot (until security came to stop it) - great while it lasted though!

It was a decent spot - not as good as our old one, so we may or may not try something new next year. We waited for the sun to go down with our usual assortment of poppers!

My firecracker 🎇

Emma headed to camp right after the 4th, so Steve and I had a quiet week. I was back at work, and we enjoyed a combo of going out and staying in. We did make Friday a full day of celebrating our 22nd anniversary!

Yesterday we picked up both girls from camp ... more photos from their favorite summer spot coming soon!