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.

Vista Boat Ride

We had been telling Jude that we will go on the Vista Boat some day.... Well, tonight we saw the Vista boat go by as it does about 50 times a day and we asked Jude if he wanted to go on the VIsta boat, and his reply was a sad, "someday". We felt terrible, so on the Vista boat we went. The ride was an hour and a half. Jude did great for the first hour and the second 30 minutes were not as great....but still fun. I would suggest taking the tour if you have never done it before it is interesting, and great on a nice day.

Weekend at the lake

Here we are at the lake for the weekend. It was so nice to get away, no cell phones, schedules or tv's. It was a perfect weekend. We can not wait to go back in a few weeks!!!!

Driving the Big Boat

Papa and Jude made a great team driving the boat. Jude was more excited about honking the horn, but still and excellant driver.

Fishing buddies

Even though we did not catch a lunker, we did catch some keepers over the weekend. Jude is getting lots of practice casting with his dad.

Happy fisherman

As you can see Jude is a very serious fisherman.

The Lake Pet

There are a couple of very tame chipmunks that hang out and demand peanuts at the cabin. They will sit on your lap and eat peanuts while you pet them. Jude thought they were so cute and wanted to "pick" them....and he did just that, he picked them up and giggled and let them go.

Paddling down the lake

Jude thought it was very cool to go for a ride in the canoe with Nana and Papa. He had his own paddle and everything.

A plane!

We were able to see a bunch of float planes when checking in to customs on Saturday. Jude was thrilled.

Hiking with Nana and Papa

What a wonderful time we had at the lake with Nana and Papa! We can not wait to go to teh cabin again. I just love this picture, it looks like it should be Rockwell painting.

Having Fun

Jude was having so much fun in the tree, here he was belly laughing so hard, you can almost hear his laughter just looking at the picture. We are so lucky to have such a good and happy little boy.

Up in a Tree

Burke put Jude in a tree...literally. Jude thought it was the greatest and wanted to sit in every tree from the DECC to our house. First the play set, next a tree house.

Jude and Mom

Jude, Burke and I went for a stroll around the canal area on Sunday. It was a really windy weekend and the weather was odd but we took time in the morning when it was still nice to be outside.

Playing in the Pool

Jude really loves the warm weather and playing in his pool. You can tell by the big grin!
This week we found out that we are having another boy. Now I am really going to be out numbered. Oh well, I could care less. We are just excited that so far everything looks good and that our newest son is now a pound, growing and developing just like she should.

Happy 4th of July

We had a great time at our 4th of July party. Jude especially liked all of the kids coming to his house to play. The fireworks are always a big hit with everyone. It was a beautiful day thanks everyone for coming over!

Any time Jude wants to wear an helmet we highly encourage it!

Safety First

Juse and Rory are ready to tackle the ATV. Mom does not think so.

Busy

Jude and Rory could only swing with Papa and Nolin for about 30 seconds. There are way too many things to do and explore at Nana and Papa's new house.

Wow, Big Trucks

Burke Jude and I stopped by the Mine View in the Sky in Virginia. Jude was really impressed with the big trucks. I will have to agree, those big trucks are pretty cool.

Cruzin with the Cousins

Rory is showing of his mad driving skills.