Up North at a Cabin!

Tomorrow I go back to work after 11 glorious days off.  It was practically perfect.  Seven of those days were spent in northern Wisconsin with my parents and sister.  We packed the van (floor to ceiling) and set off last Sunday for Garmisch Resort on Lake Namakagon.  The boys did great on the ride (thanks Mimi for the double screen DVD player). 

We were blown away by the beauty of our private cabin in the woods.  It took a while to unpack the three vehicles and the boat, but soon enough we were able to sit and relax in our 3 season porch and breath in the smell of fresh pine.  The week was relaxing, entertaining and delicious.  We took in the sites, played some golf, ate great food, swam, fished, rode on a ferry, shopped, got challenged by Owen to some UNO and put our feet up.

Here are a few pictures of some new memories:

Uncle Bob

Kelly quoted it best, 
 "May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. " RIP Robert.

Robert Franklin Tralle, Jr. age 62 of rural Nerstrand, passed away Monday, July 12, 2010 at his home. Robert was born August 5, 1947 in Northfield, son of Robert and Gladys (Zimmerman) Tralle. He was raised on his parent’s farm and graduated from Northfield High School in 1965. He worked as a union millwright for over 30 years throughout the Midwest, working primarily in the powerhouses of food processing factories. He retired in 2003.

Robert loved nature and spending time in his backyard with the many hummingbirds attracted to his feeders and the deer living in the woods. He liked to cruise the back roads capturing wildlife and nature on his camera. He had a green thumb and could make anything grow beautifully and enjoyed taking care of his yard and flower gardens. In addition he took care of his mother’s yard and flowers since his retirement.

Robert enjoyed classic cars and car shows and owned many classics of the 60’s and 70’s and was currently restoring a 47 Pontiac. He liked to travel south for the winter to the warmer climate of Puerto Rico where he spent his days relaxing, collecting seashells, and spending time with friends. Per his wishes there will be no service.

Robert Tralle Jr. is survived by his mother Gladys of Northfield; sister Nancy Jo (Larry Lukes) Tralle of Northfield; brother Steven (Pamela) Tralle of Nerstrand; nieces Lisa (Paul) Korbel of Owatonna, Kelly Tralle of Northfield; and great nephews Owen and Easton Korbel. He was preceded in death by his father Robert in 2004.

 

Daddy's Shoulders

Daddy's Shoulders


Sitting high on Daddy's shoulders,

I look both up and down.

There are so many people

Hurrying all around.

It is just much too scary

(Until the day I'm older,)

Which is why for now I feel safe

Sitting high on Daddy's shoulders.

Summer, swimming and swarms of 'Sqitos!

Our 4th of July weekend was well, interesting.  Thursday kicked off the chaotic timeline of events.  The boys both came down with a nasty stomach flu that knocked them out for 3 entire days.  In addition to vomiting, extreme exhaustion and irritability; Easton was diagnosed with a double ear infection.   Blessed we are to have our Mimi.  She watched the boys on Thursday and Friday healing them with her special hugs and cuddles. Unfortunately, Owen began vomiting again Friday night and our weekend, meant to be spent at the lake, was looking more like spent on the couch.  Fortunately, by Saturday he was feeling much better and after plenty of liquids and rest he was back to himself by nightfall.

Sunday we packed up the groceries, the van, and two wild little boys and headed eastbound for the camper.  Halfway to our destination we hit rain and it looked like our already dampened weekend may get more soggy. 

It is a good thing campers come with awnings.  It provided us with not only protection from the rain but entertainment for the boys.  Easton found the water pouring off the corner to be delightful and he screamed when we made him put on dry clothes.

By early afternoon the clouds cleared and we headed to the beach for some swimming time.  It appears Easton will enjoy the water as much as his older brother.  Owen loved trying out his new water toys and mommy got soaking wet.

We had a little time and daylight to kill before fireworks so Papa took us out fishing.  Owen was at home pulling in the crappies that were biting like crazy.  Needless to say, we ate fresh fish for supper.

Mommy may have gotten carried away capturing the moments.  "ENOUGH ALREADY MOM!"

The fireworks were beautiful exploding over the lake and the boys "ooooo's and ahhhh's" were proof of a practically perfect evening.  The best part of the entire weekend....NO BUGS..........

or so we thought.

We arrived home Monday afternoon where Owen was brutally attacked by a mosquito.  The little bugger got him right near the eye.  He awoke Tuesday morning so swollen in the face he could not see out of his left eye.  The swelling traveled into his cheek, forehead and across his nose.  I did not get a picture of him at his worst, but as you can see he wasn't too happy.

One ER visit later; full of IV antibiotics, predisone, and antihistamines, the swelling came down.  Pretty scary for a 5-year-old!  Lucky for us Mimi came to our rescue again.  He spent the day spoiled, cuddled and content.  We love her lots!   So ends our 4th of July weekend.  Praying next year will be a little less eventful.

Just SWIM!

Sometimes God calms the storm. At other times, he calms the sailor. And sometimes he makes us swim. ~Author Unknown