Lake George 2011

Last weekend, we retreated with some friends up North to Lake George. The four hour drive was well worth the relaxing stay. Not only did we enjoy some time on the water, but also we were able to visit the infamous Mississippi Headwaters in Itasca (something Clay and I had been wanting to do for awhile).

Our friends, Kathryn and Eric were gracious enough to host us. I was giddy over finally being able to say, "We're driving up North to stay at the cabin with some friends this weekend." --if you're from Minnesota, you totally get that. Everyone up here goes to the cabin on the weekend...if you don't own one, you know someone who does. We felt like the lone rangers over here. Now we can officially say we've experience a Minnesota weekend at the cabin :)

Every Thursday night or early Friday afternoon in the summer, Minnesotan's quickly hop in their cars and hit the pavement headed North to relax next to one of the many thousand of lakes here. I've heard that leaving on a Friday afternoon on certain highways/interstates can cause you to sit in standstill traffic for a couple of hours. Luckily, we left late enough on Friday and took a backway to our destination, so we never hit standstill traffic...congestion, yes, but nothing as bad as what could have been. Very thankful to say the least.

Discovering sand :), water skiing, tubing, grilling out, fishing, riding in the boat, wakeboarding, touring the Headwaters, fellowshipping with friends...it all summed up to a fabulous weekend.

Clay and I feel as if we have the most incredible group of friends all over the world...some known since childhood and others maybe only for a short time. We have got to be the luckiest people alive. Close to home, we surround ourselves a lot with friends from our Small Group and Young Couples Sunday School Class. Tonight, as I sit here thinking about how to describe these special couples, a quote comes to mind:

"A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend, one human soul whom we can trust utterly, who knows the best and worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults.”
Charles Kingsley

...so very thankful for our many friends who love us in spite of our faults.

Mike & Susie

(& Watson & Miley)

Ryan & Lindy

The Newlyweds: Mike & Ericka

(it was Ericka's birthday this weekend so we had a fun time celebrating...yes, they are wearing matching colors and yes, Mike actually used a blowtorch to light her birthday cake candles) :)

Eric and Kathryn

(thank ya'll so much for sharing your family's wonderful cabin with us! I do hope this has started an annual tradition! :))

Saturday morning, we headed over to Itasca to visit the Mississippi Headwaters. I can't tell you how excited I was about this. Parker and I actually crossed the river, Cooper dipped his feet in the edge of the cool water, and Clay stood on the rocks with us to take pictures. :)

...a little hesitant at first but towards the end, I got a big grin out of Cooper once feet went all the way in. (see picture towards end of post)

Sunday, Mr. Sunshine came out and it was glorious! We spent the majority of the day on the water or on the beach...hundreds of pictures were taken to help document the day. Here are a few of my favorites:

Ericka was smiling the whole time she was in the water; I loved it!

Lindy is like a pro as soon as she hits the water...she blew everyone away with her moves.

Cooper on his first boat ride

Parker fishing with Mr. Mike (aka Mr. Gooch)

Parker's 1st time to go tubing (this weekend he also got to drive the boat with his daddy, Mr. Ryan and Mr. Eric; if you don't think that made him proud, I don't know what would!)

Our family - Lake George July 2011

Parker (3 1/2) and Cooper (9mos)

Cooper with feet in Mississippi Headwaters

Thanks to each of you for a great weekend!

Next summer...same time, same place?!