Time to Catch-Up!

Tomorrow marks two whole weeks of summer vacation. I am finally ready to start the routine. I was pretty anti-any driving these past two weeks, but reality has set in again.

Trent's broken leg is officially, completely healed. His last M.D. appointment was today. Next week he starts hockey. That will be two days per week. He'll also have Sailing School two days a week. Fortunately they both happen on Wednesdays, so that will be all one trip. I am hoping Marshall will be able to take him to hockey on the other day sometimes. Callie will continue with her gymnastics one day per week, and they will both do one week of day camp. That about sums up our regular weekly commitments. Additionally, we will of course be hanging out at the lake, the park and anywhere else that provides fun!

I know I've been away from the blog for a bit, but I am committed to being more regular again this summer. Here's what you've missed while I was away....

Marshall has been very focused on his work-out routine. He has been running on the Lake Trail every weekend. For two years he's been wanting to get out on the trails that go around the whole lake. He and I took a nice walk together and the kids and us went once together.
He decided to try the Lake Geneva adventure race. 8 Mile Run, 12 Mile Kayak. I was so proud of him doing it, and he really liked it. Signed up for another race a month later and has since bought himself a racing kayak. No more adventure races on the schedule til the fall, but I think he's checking out some more runs. (This is the kayak we borrowed for the first race.)
He did the second race with some friends, so I don't have any pictures. I was responsible for the Bloody Mary bar and breakfast afterward.

The last day of school is a family picnic. Always a memorable event. This year marked the end of an era. Trent and only one of his friends will be staying at NCM. His other three good buddies are moving on to other schools. I was a little bit verclempt.
Look at these boys through the years. What memories they have together. Last Day 2008-2009 - 7 years old (I think it's time to retire the t-shirt!)

Last Day 2007-2008 - 6 years old

Last Day 2006-2007 - 5 years old

Last Day 2005-2006 - 4 years old.

Here is the first of Callie's series of Last Day pictures.


As you know, last summer Trent was the beast master. Frogs and Turtles galore. He always wanted to keep one for a pet. I was always hesitant to take something out of nature and have it croak, and I don't mean in a frog-noise sort of way!
Marshall found this little friend hopping around in the yard.
It started the asking all over again. "Can we PLEASE keep it!" Not wanting to face another whole summer of this question, I reluctantly agreed. We got some live crickets from the pet store which the frog happily ate, and I felt good knowing he wouldn't starve. Every night this poor thing would call out to it's friends. Every night I would feel guilty about taking it out of it's environment. A week later, we went back to the pet store, bought a pet store frog and released this guy. We are now the happy owners of a Firebelly Toad. Normally I wouldn't go near a toad if you paid me, but this toad looks more like a frog, and swims. I am a fan of anything having to do with water.
Trent was the one pushing for a pet, yet Callie spends the most time interacting with it. Every morning she wakes up, the first thing she does is hold the toad. One day she put it in her Diego Rescue center and then decided to go play with something else. Luckily not much time had passed and Trent realized she had not put it back in the cage. We tore apart her room with no success. Marshall had long ago condemned it, I was about to throw in the towel, when Trent announces from the living room he found it! That was a lesson learned for Callie.
Having the pet at home has stopped the, "Can we keep it question", but the quest for capturing continues! Right now there are two turtles in a bucket by my door. They however, are just sleeping over.

Marshall's parents have a little pond with a bullfrog nirvana. They easily catch 20 frogs, some the biggest we've ever caught!
Callie's a girl after my own heart. Not afraid to get her hands dirty! These two frogs were having a "piggy back ride!" OR.... The answer to the question, "Mommy, where do tadpoles come from?"

Yesterday was the most exciting catch by far. Trent caught a HUGE snapping turtle. This thing weighed as much as Callie, I am not kidding you. He basically trapped it in the shallow water between the pier and his net.
He called me over to help him get it out. I didn't realize what it really was. All I saw was what looked like a huge log with the bark still on it. I said, "Where is it?" "RIGHT THERE!" He said in a panicked voice.
I about died when I realized I was going to have to figure out a way to get a 30lb snapping turtle out of the muck, so my son could celebrate the catch of the summer! The things we do for our kids!
I took a deep breath and made a conscious decision to go for it. It was like being on fear factor or something! I grabbed the thing on both sides and pulled it out. Perfectly clear of its huge head and giant claws! The surprising thing was it didn't even try to snap at us.
The first thing Trent said is, "Mom, take a picture!" I didn't bring my camera! No photographic proof, but trust me, this was awesome!

I played tennis for the first time. Not sure how this summer will pan out. Last summer I was playing 3-4 days a week. I loved it. I don't see that happening this summer at the club, but I'm hoping to find someone to play with at our park court.

The weather is finally starting to cooperate. Before we know it half the summer will be gone. Scratch that, focus on ENDLESS SUMMER! I can't wait! I will be sure to regularly keep you up to date.