Up North! (Part 1)

Normally my parents bring their camper to WI every summer to camp and the rest of us join them when we can. This year we switched it up and rented cabins on the lake in Brainerd. We took Tyler and Carsten to Brainerd a couple of years ago and Tyler has not forgotten it. Carsten was only 13 months old so he didn't remember it, but Tyler filled him in and they were both so excited.

And for good reason. It was a fantastic five days! We had one adventure after another and it went by way too quickly. 

Cousins reunited!

Cutie.

Our cabins were very old and quite rustic. But I was in love with life on the lake from this moment on. So pretty.

We started our vacation off right that first morning with our trip to Paul Bunyan Land. This is what dreams are made of for our little boys. :-)

This massive, apparently 6,000 pound ox blew over in a storm a couple days ago. How does that happen?! We're glad we weren't there that day!

Jeff made a new friend. And I don't know why but I really love this picture.

First ride of the day! Samson was not a fan. So they stopped the ride for him and Tyler ended up taking a solo ride when the other two jumped off.

She looks happy now, but the second it started moving she was over it. They had to stop the ride for her too. :-)

She was much happier on the outside looking in.

And in this cute little train.

Riding the train around the park!

Such focus.

A favorite ride.

Uh-oh. Can I point out the gross looking toilet in the back of the jail cell? Ew.

They thought locking Grandpa in jail was the best.

He's kind of big. And he knew all their names when we walked in. :-)

These kids are serious croquet players.

With great teachers.

Did I mention the beautiful lake sunsets?

Sweet cousins.

How cute is she?

The next day we rented a pontoon. So fun! None of our kids have been on a boat like this so they were beyond excited.

It was a perfect, beautiful day for it!

A surprise early birthday party...

For the lovely birthday girl!

Carl also rented a small boat to take the boys fishing. Again, so much excitement! It was Carsten's first time fishing, and Tyler remembered how much he loved it last year!

I was a little nervous to send Carl out in a boat in the middle of the lake with two boys with fishing hooks.

And for good reason! This is the "rescue boat" that went after them when their boat died! They had to lift the kids out...

And tow the boat back to the dock.

And then they got to just keep the pontoon (rescue boat) for the rest of their trip. Can you see the fish they were so proud of? They had so much fun!

To be continued... :-)