Last weekend us crazy Hendricksons gathered at the Grand View Lodge on Gull Lake--there was 16 of us total in ONE "cottage" (and by cottage, I mean a three story gorgeous house on the lake!) and can you believe it.... we all made it out of there alive, without killing one another??? :)
Kidding, of course. It was such a relaxing weekend, and the same cottage is already booked for next summer because we just can't wait to get back!! Friday we piled up all our goodies and headed up around noon. Since we couldn't quite check in yet by the time we got there we went to the resort pool and lake and we were more than entertained. They really have something for everyone, including waitresses walking around taking drink orders (next time I go back I will NOT be preggo--I could have killed for an icy margarita!!) a pool and water slide for Ryder that he LOVED (duh), and a big sandy beach for us girls to relax at :) Finally we were able to check in at our cottage and get settled. Erin (my brother's girlfriend) and I discovered our love for kayaking! Who knew??) Ryder also discovered that he LOVES going on the jet ski and also is quite the fisherman thanks to the help of his cousin, Emily! Ryder is so used to being the only little kid around at my family gatherings but he just loves to tag along with his older cousins Sarah and Emily. Saturday my sister and I treated ourselves to a lakeside spa massage which was FABULOUS and much needed! Then we all went out for dinner on Saturday night to celebrate my grandparent's 50th anniversary and my husband got an eye opening experience -- he had never had the chance to witness my dad at a buffet, especially a buffet that included crab legs (his favorite!) It was....interesting to say the least!! It's amazing how much my dad can eat and I'm pretty sure we may have lost track of his trips up to the buffet. Sunday was lake, lake, lake as it was so beautiful outside and we just didn't want to leave... Unfortunately reality called and said it was time to check out for the day, so we ended our perfect vacation with a trip to the Chocolate Ox-- mmmmmm ice cream!! :)
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
28 Down, 12 (or less!) To Go!
Slowly but surely, this pregnancy is trucking away. I'm 28 weeks preggo this week and I visit my doctor on Friday for a routine checkup and that fabulous glucose test (ish). I am also supposed to have another ultrasound to check up on things sometime between weeks 28 and 32, so looking forward to that! I will try not to complain too much, especially since I LOVE summer -- but I have to say it: Mother Nature could really climb off her high horse right about now and make these hundred degree days take a hike back to Florida or wherever those crazy people live who are used to this kind of weather year round! I will take beautiful sunny days any day, but if we could keep it in the 80's--this big swollen belly bump of mine would really appreciate it :) Other than trying to survive the heat, not too much is new with babyj. She has become quite the little squirmer and especially gets going when her daddy and big brother start chatting it up with her. She definitely has made her presence known within her mommy as finding clothes that fit is no longer an easy task. :( Anyway, the important thing is that I am feeling good, am still able to get my zumba/yoga/walking on, and so far, this pregnancy has been going rather smoothly, and for that-- we are blessed :)
Ryder and I continue to stay busy during our summer weeks together... This week we made it up to the splash park in Waite Park (he absolutely loved it, if you are looking for a FREE activity on a hot day!) and visited Auntie Lissa where we swam in her apartment complex pool. We also took a trip to Collinwood Park outside of Cokato with the other Johnson ladies and children where the kiddos were able to swim in the lake and play at the big park! Last week Ryder was able to check out the Bounce Depot in St.Cloud and storytime at Barnes and Noble, all of which was fun (but for a heads up, Litchfield Library still has a way better storytime for preschoolers on Fridays at 10am!) so yes, you could say we have been busy, and are only getting busier!
On Friday we are heading up to Grand View Lodge in Brainerd to celebrate my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary with the Hendrickson Crew... Max and I are so looking forward to the weekend getaway, as is Ryder... We have lots of lake time planned, relaxing at the spa perhaps, and of course, golfing and shopping on the agenda! --If my marriage ends up to be half the marriage of my grandparents, I will consider myself lucky. Roger and MaryAnn Hendrickson are one of the sweetest couples I know. They do everything together, still tease eachother now and then, and honestly, just adore eachother. My grandma is one of the strongest women I know, I've always considered her my 'farm grandma' because there is not a chore I haven't seen her do--when it's time to bail hay, you can bet she is right out there with the boys doing her share, she loves animals (and they LOVE her), she usually doesn't bother with shoes and just rocks the barefeet everywhere when she can, she has beautiful flowers surrounding her house, and she walks probably close to 365 days out of the year, despite the weather. She taught me to respect our earth and I have tons of memories of taking walks with her with a garbage bag to collect garbage and pop cans alongside the road. I love it because on our walks, Ryder now does the same...Ryder adores her and calls her "GG".... My grandpa is one of the kindest men I have ever met. His kids, (including my dad) like to tell us grandkids that he did indeed once have a temper back in the day when they were growing up, but I'm not sure if I believe them because I can honestly say I am not sure if I have ever heard him raise his voice...However, maybe that is just what happens when grandkids come along, because come to think of it, I'm not sure my dad has ever yelled at me since bringing him his grandson into the world, and that for sure, has not always been the case-- so thanks, Ryder!! :) (haha) - My grandpa is not only kind, but he is funny--hilarious actually, and he must know it because he's usually the first person to laugh at his own jokes! He loves to tell stories, and is also crafty, always making little knick-knacks and lawn ornaments in his shed for my Grandma, and recently for me too! All in all, my grandparents are wonderful people and I am so grateful to be able to celebrate their 50 years of marriage which affirms all of my beliefs in what a marriage should be :)
Should be a fabulous weekend! As a quick side note, we have a couple chickens that have started laying eggs and Ryder is ECSTATIC about this! He thinks it is so fun to go in the chicken coop and find eggs... He talked about how me and him had to check them first thing this morning all last night... Max went in there this morning before he left for work while Ryder and I were still sleeping and discovered that unfortunately, there we no new eggs...My sweet thoughtful husband ran in the house to find one of the eggs from the previous days to put in the nesting box so that Ryder would be able to have another egg to find today.... Ryder did indeed find the egg and was thrilled about it, he even wanted to put his name on the egg before we put it in the fridge...--It's those little things that make me completely positive that I have the best husband and father in the entire world... (Although, I may be a little biased!!) :)
Ryder and I continue to stay busy during our summer weeks together... This week we made it up to the splash park in Waite Park (he absolutely loved it, if you are looking for a FREE activity on a hot day!) and visited Auntie Lissa where we swam in her apartment complex pool. We also took a trip to Collinwood Park outside of Cokato with the other Johnson ladies and children where the kiddos were able to swim in the lake and play at the big park! Last week Ryder was able to check out the Bounce Depot in St.Cloud and storytime at Barnes and Noble, all of which was fun (but for a heads up, Litchfield Library still has a way better storytime for preschoolers on Fridays at 10am!) so yes, you could say we have been busy, and are only getting busier!
On Friday we are heading up to Grand View Lodge in Brainerd to celebrate my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary with the Hendrickson Crew... Max and I are so looking forward to the weekend getaway, as is Ryder... We have lots of lake time planned, relaxing at the spa perhaps, and of course, golfing and shopping on the agenda! --If my marriage ends up to be half the marriage of my grandparents, I will consider myself lucky. Roger and MaryAnn Hendrickson are one of the sweetest couples I know. They do everything together, still tease eachother now and then, and honestly, just adore eachother. My grandma is one of the strongest women I know, I've always considered her my 'farm grandma' because there is not a chore I haven't seen her do--when it's time to bail hay, you can bet she is right out there with the boys doing her share, she loves animals (and they LOVE her), she usually doesn't bother with shoes and just rocks the barefeet everywhere when she can, she has beautiful flowers surrounding her house, and she walks probably close to 365 days out of the year, despite the weather. She taught me to respect our earth and I have tons of memories of taking walks with her with a garbage bag to collect garbage and pop cans alongside the road. I love it because on our walks, Ryder now does the same...Ryder adores her and calls her "GG".... My grandpa is one of the kindest men I have ever met. His kids, (including my dad) like to tell us grandkids that he did indeed once have a temper back in the day when they were growing up, but I'm not sure if I believe them because I can honestly say I am not sure if I have ever heard him raise his voice...However, maybe that is just what happens when grandkids come along, because come to think of it, I'm not sure my dad has ever yelled at me since bringing him his grandson into the world, and that for sure, has not always been the case-- so thanks, Ryder!! :) (haha) - My grandpa is not only kind, but he is funny--hilarious actually, and he must know it because he's usually the first person to laugh at his own jokes! He loves to tell stories, and is also crafty, always making little knick-knacks and lawn ornaments in his shed for my Grandma, and recently for me too! All in all, my grandparents are wonderful people and I am so grateful to be able to celebrate their 50 years of marriage which affirms all of my beliefs in what a marriage should be :)
Should be a fabulous weekend! As a quick side note, we have a couple chickens that have started laying eggs and Ryder is ECSTATIC about this! He thinks it is so fun to go in the chicken coop and find eggs... He talked about how me and him had to check them first thing this morning all last night... Max went in there this morning before he left for work while Ryder and I were still sleeping and discovered that unfortunately, there we no new eggs...My sweet thoughtful husband ran in the house to find one of the eggs from the previous days to put in the nesting box so that Ryder would be able to have another egg to find today.... Ryder did indeed find the egg and was thrilled about it, he even wanted to put his name on the egg before we put it in the fridge...--It's those little things that make me completely positive that I have the best husband and father in the entire world... (Although, I may be a little biased!!) :)
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Summer So Far...
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| May 2011 - the proud preschool grad :) |
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| MN Zoo with Kelsie and Carson |
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| Ryder loves to get wet--whether it's at the lake, in his pool, or on the slip and slide! |
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| ....And while Ryder is busy being a little boy, I sneak in time to play in our landscaping |
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| Our 4th of July Weekend was spent at the Cabin on Lake Stella... |
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| Aren't they adorable?? Ryder with cousins Calvin and Reed playing in the lake! |
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