Cottage - Day 2, and Great Grandma's 91st birthday!

Last night when Uncle Bill and Grandma were having dinner with us they mentioned that the grass was needing cutting again (crazy how it grows compared to back at home) and Matt wanted to help out so he took care of it.  

It is a good sized yard and it was a bit muggy so after he finished, he took a swim out to the dock to cool off!  The kids thought that was great!

 Anna found a dragonfly in the water.  Poor dragonfly. 

 A view of the cottage (and freshly cut grass!) from the dock. 

Olivier joined Matt out on the raft.  It was a bit overcast until about 10:30. 

When Uncle Bill arrived the kids wanted to go out for a boat ride so we loaded up only to find out the boat wouldn't start.  Matt and Uncle Bill fiddled with it for a bit (and Matt's phone got a bit water logged, thankfully it came back most of the way), then Uncle Bill realized the dead man's switch had been removed so of course it wouldn't start.   

 While thinking about the issue the kids went fishing!

And Anna caught a fish! (Olivier did too but I need to get that photo from Uncle Bill)

 We had to take a group photo with Great Grandma!  Happy Birthday! 

We made it to Crystal Lake!

Yesterday we made our way from home, down to LAX, flew to Chicago, and spent the night in a hotel.  Today we got up too early (aren't the kids still suppose to be on California time??) and drove to the cottage on Crystal Lake (after loading up on food at the grocery store where the checker knew that Grandma was expecting us, it is a small town!).  We stopped in Holland for lunch and to try and see lake Michigan but we never did get a good view of it.  It is fairly normal for our kids that when they see water they are drawn to go in as quickly as possible (at least Anna and Olivier).  And in they went!  

The kids fished with Uncle Bill when he arrived just after 4:30 p.m.  After an easy dinner of hamburgers and hotdogs, Matt joined the kids on the dock.  At some point the power went out (it came back up just before 9 p.m.).

 And we all had a few s'mores.

 Nice first day at the cottage!

Hike to the Cal Poly Serenity Swing

Today we decided to try a new hike with the kids, one that none of us has done.  We had read that the last part of it was steep and it sure was!  But the kids stuck with it and didn't complain or want to stop trying, and we made it!  And with decent time too!  The view was amazing!

Mason and Anna took turns on the swings first. 

Then Olivier.

It took a while before Mason was willing to give up his spot.  Can you blame him?  Look at the view!

 Then Anna tried that swing and Olivier pushed her. 

And much like yesterday it was very windy.  I just managed to catch Olivier having to run to catch his hat in the wind!

 

The kids were excited to see our initials carved into the tree. 

 It looks like Olivier is wearing a muscle tee because it was catching the wind and puffing up!  Ha ha!

 So happy we got a family photo! 

 And to bribe Mason to let me have a turn on the swing I asked him to take my photo.  :-)

 And yes, the tree was good for climbing.  Easier up than down!

It was a bit crazy doing down the first part because it was so steep but we made it!  And we all really enjoyed ourselves! 

Bocce Ball

In asking the kids what they wanted to do this weekend that wasn't going to cost us a lot (if any) money, Mason suggested bocce ball.  We had given Matt a set for his birthday or Father's day and hadn't played with it much.  After a trip to the library (I love that they love going there!!) we went to play bocce ball at a local winery.  Mason and Olivier played against each other, and then Mason and Matt played a couple games.  

It was very windy and rather cool so Anna just enjoyed sitting in the sun in a blanket. 

 Olivier bounced around when he wasn't playing trying to keep warm! 

Horse Show Day #2

Today was horse show day #2!  We all got up early today and headed to the horse park.  Anna helped others get their horses groomed and ready to go.  We had some down time at one point so I took advantage and we took a selfie.  Love that sweet girl who made me a mommy more than 10 years ago!  

Anna competed in two events today.  Her first event was another walk trot event.  She did well especially given Silly pushing the limits.  

Here are a few photos from the event.

 Check out that smile!

 She got 5th place for that event!  Yippee!

A short time later she competed in her first poles event.  We worked on memorizing the course.  Three red and white gates, one grey, four whites. 

And here she is doing the course!

And a few photos from the event!

 And Anna got 2nd!  Wa hoo!  This was much more of an event that Silly does well with, and Anna really enjoyed it!  Can you tell?  We took photos with all three ribbons from the weekend.  We used Tripp because Silly was being camera shy...

 We tried but she was more interested in eating her breakfast than taking a photo!

This afternoon we all took naps!  Yeah! 

Anna's first horse show event!

Today Anna made it official!  She is now a competitive horse rider!  She competed in her first walk trot event today!  It was an early morning but all that excitement had her racing to go this morning!  

Look at her all fancy!

 Loving on "Silly" before the show. 

 And then it was show time! 

Yup, just a girl on a horse, with a ribbon with her trainer.  

 So much to be proud of!  You should be proud of yourself Anna!  We sure are!

Field Trip to La Purisima

Today Anna's class visited La Purisima Mission and I was lucky enough to be able to go along!  The weather was beautiful.  Cool but not cold.  Sunny but very windy at times.  

 A photo of Anna in the church.

 Some of the living quarters. 

 I "had" to take a photo of the saddle.  It was beautiful!

 The kids got to see how they made bees wax candles.  Very cool! 

It was nice to spend some extra time with Anna today!