Grandma and Grandpa Fiene

Our last few days of vacation were spent with the Fienes.  The boys had fun hanging out with their cousins.  One of the days we were there, we went to a cool splash park and, of course, I didn't bring my camera.  Here are the grandparents with their 5 grandchildren.

Fritz decided he wanted to join in on the fun.

Food, Fun and Family

It's officially September and I'm still blogging about events that occurred in July. It was a very busy month filled with lots of picture taking opportunities.

One of the days while in New York, we all headed over to my Uncle Mark and Aunt Anne's house.  For the past few years, every time we are in town my Uncle Mark and Aunt Anne host a dinner for the whole family.  It's nice to get everyone in one place.

Fritz immediately took a liking to my Aunt Anne since she gave him a cheesy-bone.

Hans was probably making fun of Jimmy and Jimmy was giving it right back.  Hans was probably making fun of Jimmy's tall, black "old man" socks and Jimmy was probably reminding Hans that he beat him in Madden football and various other Wii games.

There was also lots of corn to shuck.  I think we had corn on the cob almost every night and I just couldn't get enough.  This is corn from a roadside stand, not the grocery store.  There is a big difference.

Then Fritz met London.  Fritz was excited to meet another dog.

For whatever reason Fritz insists on licking every dog he meets.  This will probably not end up well for him.

And even though Fritz is feisty, he always manages to get pinned by girl dogs and smaller dogs.  Man up, Fritz.

Both of my grandparents love to watch their grandchildren and great grandchildren play.  They feel lucky to be blessed with such a family and we feel lucky to have them.

The food was fantastic.

My Aunt Anne made this bean dip salsa stuff the Anders just loved.  My mom made it for John's party a few weeks later and he went crazy putting handfuls of it in his mouth.

Pool time!  I couldn't find all of my pictures but I was sure I had one with my Aunt Anne blowing this thing up also.

 I think Hans had just as much fun as all of my cousins.

John decided he liked putting his head underwater.

He had no fear.

 At some point my Aunt Anne brought out all of my cousin Ben's old Thomas trains.  All three boys were very content.

A good time was had by all.  There was lots of laughing, screaming, running, eating, swimming, playing and talking.  I look forward to this every year.

Ice Cream Outings

You can't go to my grandparents' cottage without heading across the lake to the Charcoal Corral.  They have a drive-in, arcade, putt-putt, all kinds of food...and let's not forget ice cream.  I have many fond memories of the Charcoal Corral, both from when I was a kid and from my own kids.  This was the place where John had his first ice cream.

Wasn't he just a cutie?

We didn't get to have Gus' first ice cream there since he was only 3 months old the last time we were there, but we thought Anders was old enough to have a bite or two this summer.  I gave him a whole dish of soft serve knowing he wouldn't come close to finishing it.  I didn't account for the fact that he would cram handfuls of the ice cream in his mouth, giving himself a brain freeze and making his hands so cold they hurt.  This was a failed attempt at ice cream but we still got some cute pictures.

 Cold and uncomfortable.

All better now that the brain freeze is gone and he is free from those ice cream soaked clothes.

The Charcoal Corral also has a Friday fish fry, summer concert series, karaoke and car shows.  We went to the Charcoal Corral almost every night while we were at the cottage.  Good times.