I just can't wait for school to start!

Walter has said this since we ended school in July. He is a bit excited about starting 1st grade in the elementary program. Tomorrow, his wait is over as we all go back to school and get into a routine again. Exciting times!

I figure I have at least two more posts about our trip home, possibly three or four. Today's is more about camp as our time there wasn't spend only building the fort. I think Owen could easily live up there, he absolutely loved it. It is about 30 miles from my parents house and is surrounded by nothing but trees for miles and miles. You really see no one when you are there. Easily tied in excitement level to the fort was driving the four-wheelers. The boys found excuses to make deliveries and fetch supplies whenever possible...on the four-wheeler. We enjoyed many campfires, a couple sauna's followed by running to the river, Yahtzee!, and blueberry & raspberry picking.

driving in to camp

running from the sauna to the river

Yahtzee! on the grass

All New! Flashback Fridays!

I purchased this amazing new computer when we were home (thank you Grandma!) and we've been enjoying it thoroughly. It has a beautiful 27" screen and sure makes all the photos I've taken over the years really pop! We've all been loving looking at old photos and reminiscing...which inspired me to start a new tradition on the blog...Flashback Fridays.

Today's flashback is from September 2008, Owen is nearly 4 and Walter is a fresh 1. We were at Augsburg's homecoming game and enjoying a beautiful fall day where we met.

You can't shoot me, I don't have a gun.

Oh, the things you think you will never hear out of your children's mouths...and then nerf guns come into your home one day and its all over...

Our house got struck by lightning on Sunday! Crazy, crazy. Lindsay told me it is good luck and to go buy a lottery ticket. Nothing major happened, the boys were both quite startled and it zapped our router which meant cuddling in bed that night and no internet until today. It happened 10 minutes before the Vikings opening game which was really frustrating for Jer as we stream the game online, but we eventually found a way to watch using our neighbor's wireless and still managed to enjoy chili, chips & salsa, and some sweets.

A little break in the US trip recap to give you a peak into some of the summer fun we've been having here. There has been lots of creating going on - legos, the sewing machine and forts for nerf gun battles have pretty much consumed our home life. (Well, a few nerf battles have snuck in as well...)

Double decker tree house, complete with parking garage for 2 four wheelers...wonder where the inspiration came from?!

Homemade monsters, monsters & more monsters!

Some see nerf forts, I see a sea of brown, beige and white...awe rental furnishings!

Did I mention the climbing of the walls???

We've also enjoyed some summer fun in Brighton, below are some highlights from a maze that was set up on the lawns of the Brighton Pavilion. We went through it together once, and then I sat and soaked up the sunshine while they ran through it about 15 times more. They were sweating and parched by the time we left.

It's the best photo we've ever had with him!

While at my parents house a huge dream of the boys came true...a real fort/tree house of their own. My parents have a camp an hour away from their house and that is where it all went down. Here is an evolution of the build over 4 days time...

The 'foundation'.

Measuring for the walls.

Up goes the first wall!

Four walls and some siding.

Clean up crew. 

Nailing in the hard to reach spots.

A fort with finished inside walls? Pretty posh.

Kid-size door...watch your noggin Gramps.

"It's the best photo we've ever had with him!"

In those four days they managed to get all four walls up, 2/3 of the roof on and 80% of the inside finished. There are plans for stairs up to the top of this level and then building another layer on top that wraps around a few of the trees. They also want some sort of rope ladder or pole to slide/climb between the floors. Between now and the time they get to work on it again I'm sure they will come up with many elaborate ideas and plans...be warned, Dad!

As we said good-bye to the fort, we took one last photo op and Griffin was willing to join in. I captured the last photo posted and the boys love it! They really connected with Griffy over our time there and it was really difficult to say good-bye to him when the time came. Owen and Walter look at this picture quite a bit and always comment "It's the best photo we've ever had with him!" They love that they are all looking into the camera. x

I caught a dandy!

The next part of our trip was spent relaxing with my parents at their house. The boys had a blast coming up with things to do, build, play & ride and my parents happily went along with their requests. They carved turtles out of wood, they used their Great Grandfather's lathe and made a beautiful bowl. They tubed, sauna'd, and ate many many s'mores. They made a limbo set, had an unbirthday party, played games, built forts, shot the bb gun, did archery, rode bikes, rode motorcycles and made traps. And of course, they fished. After one particularly nice catch, Owen told me this.

All this and I've just touched the tip of the iceberg. As I think about it all, I'm thinking that we need to just call it Camp Grandma & Grandpa.

I'd be a stunt pilot.

Yesterday we went to the Shoreham Air Show just west of us along the sea. We saw many loopty-loops, twists, fireworks, jets, biplanes and many other airplanes & tricks. As we were walking back to the station, Walter asked if I'd ever ride in one of the stunt planes. I told him I didn't think so and he said he not only would, but he'd be the pilot.

Back to the trip home...After returning from my girls weekend, we had an Armstrong reunion with my mom's sisters families. Its always fun catching up with family and especially cousins as we are all grown now. Although I haven't figured out how my sister and I were the oldest and most of them are now in their 30's while I am still 29. Puzzling.

All the Armstrong Great Grandchildren

My camera battery was so low it wouldn't flash correctly. :(

The next day, Jer headed down to Mayo Clinic with his dad for a few nights. Al had to get a temporary stent replaced with a permanent one. My parents took the boys up to da U.P. (eh!) while I stayed back and prepped our house. Jer's brother had moved out and we were deciding whether to rent it out or leave it empty. Regardless, I had a fair amount of stuff to get ready as I knew our time would be full once I returned from my parents house. I joined the boys and my parents the following day and let it all go and relaxed, slept & enjoyed summer on water...a favorite favorite thing...more to come...

Roadtrekin' GNO

My dear friend, Tracy, purchased a Roadtrek RV last year and this summer my best friends from Augsburg (my GNO crew) and I tested it out with a trip to Northern(ish) Minnesota. As always, it was a great time and by the end my stomach & cheek muscles were both sore from laughter & smiles. We enjoyed hiking around Goosebury Falls, lunch at Fitger's (where Jer & I were engaged!), cooking on the campfire, reminiscing of college days and catching up on what's happening now and where are dreams are taking us.

I may be a bit biased, but I have to say, Augsburg attracts and churns out some pretty spectacular people.