Who needs toys?

Who needs toys when you have a toybox that you can empty out and play in.

Future Tennis Star...maybe

Action Shot

Anyone who knows Burke can imagine how excited he was when Jude wanted a tennis racket one day while shopping at a sporting goods store. So, off to the tennis court we went, lucky for us there is one just down the street. I was suprised how well Jude did. I think he liked chasing the balls around the court as much as he enjoyed hitting them, oh well, he had fun. The start to Jude's super star tennis career.

Play Time

Tennis can only last so long when there is a junglegym/playset near by.

1st Annual Bean Bag Tournament

Jude and Phil take a break from bean bags to enjoy a bite to eat.

Jodie and Liesl came over for the bean bag tournament....ok ok we went to the beach and went swimming, it was hot outside

Jude and Steve for go bean bags for a little WWF

Burke and Milan in fierce game of rock paper siccors to see who goes first.

The guys deep in bean bag competition.

Weekend at Nelson's Resort

It took a week but here are pictures from our weekend at Nelsond Resort. We had sooooo much fun. Jude was beside himself every day with joy, playing with his cousins, Nana and Papa and Anuts and Uncles. There was never a shortage of people to play with and things to do. Burke got out on the lakes and caught a lot of fish and big one's too. We were abe to have a shore lunch on Friday and chow down on the morning catch. Jude loves walleye, I am so glad because we have a bunch. Woohoo, fish fry!
Every day was action packed, boating, listening to the piano man in the evenings, campfires at night and even getting pulled behind the boat. Jude thought he was water skiing.
We hope to do the same thing next summer. It was a great time!

Umpa Lumpa

Remember the Umpa Lumpa's from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? Well, that is what happens when you leave your child alone with a bowl of spagettio's.

We saw 3 ships come sailing in....

Who knew that the Maritime Festival was such a big deal? The three old time pirate ships came sailing into Duluth on Thursday to crouds of thousands of people from all over the country. It was the craziest thing I have ever seen! There were no less than 200 boats surrounding the ships as they came through the canal and then docked behind the DECC. People have been lined up to tour the ships, some for many hours. We did not have the patience to stand in line with Jude...or with out him for that matter. Great event for Duluth!

Potty trainning

So this might not be the correct method of potty trainning but oh well, it is better than on the carpet in the house. By the way does anyone know a good carpet cleaner?

Working

Jude and Rory are busy getting the hose hooked up.

Working in they yard

Jude and Rory are working on watering the grass.

Naked yet again

Jude and his cousin Rory were having a great time running around the yard naked. Here they are playing with the dump trucks and bulldozer...future construction workers, naked construction workers.

Boat Ride

Jude fell asleep during our boat ride on the lake. Our good friend Milan was nice enough to take us out on the lake for the day. Beaches, sunshine, playing in the sand....very non Duluth like. The city looks so cool from the lake. I had never been out on the lake so it was a special trip for me.

Here we are on Wisconsin point enjoying the perfect beach.

Jude and Burke are enjoying playing on the beach. It was one of those rare perfect beautiful Duluth days.

Fast Asleep

Jude loves sleeping in his big boy bed. He picked out spider man sheets and cowboy sheets. Here he is out cold after a long day boating on Lake Superior.