Day Eight: Islands

The plan at the start of the day was to go to see the bears at the Vince Shutte Wildlife Sanctuary in Orr in the evening. At about 11:30 AM, when we fina realized what a silly thing it would be to leave the lake on such a beautiful day. We had a perfectly calm, mild day. We took the kids and Goober to "picnic island" for lunch. Then we went into Lake 2 to visit Hicks and Case islands. Since the lake level is very low this year the two islands are connected, and we're calling the connector the Loughner Isthmus. Goober had a blast at both spots, running like mad all over the islands, occasionally splashing into the water for a drink or just for some fun.We came home, and after I threw some Skylinelly got outside, we chili on for dinner we fulfilled our promise to make the run to the dump. We made it an event, since the Loughner family had never been before. Sorry to say we saw no "dump squirrels."As soon as we arrived back at the cabin, we went down to the lake for swimming and rides on the waverunner. Allison has definitely gotten over her initial hesitation, and she was going full throttle by the end of the day. She gave many rides, including Zachary, Emily, Jeremy, and her mother. Then, she took various combinations of kids together. We were having so much fun, that I couldn't believe it when I was told it was almost 6PM. So, dinner was a bit late. After dinner, Allison took another lake bath, but Goober was the only one to get in the lake with her. (He still doesn't like it, but he did swim for the second day in a row.) It was a PERFECT weather day - I didn't want it to end!!

Day Seven: The Well-Beaten Path

We made many trips down the "well-beaten path" today as we waited for the HoneyDipper man to come fix our bathroom! Really, it's not so bad in the daytime. Mosquitos can be a problem, but some well-timed swatting is helpful.

Susie, Allison, and I bathed in the lake in the morning (we weren't using the shower, either). Though it was cold and overcast, swimming was nice, and it turned into a morning of water sports. We got out the waverunner, and (after another call to technical support, AKA Mike Hicks) I got it running. I took Allison out, then Susie, then Allison again (who drove, but never went too fast!), then Emily. My kids didn't want to go! The rain began in earnest around lunchtime. We came in to do puzzles, have lunch, and play games. Dinner was delicious - saurkraut, pork, mashed potatoes, and fried apples. I took everyone out to "hunt" for wildlife. We saw 2 deer, but that was it. When we got back, we played a game of penny in the pot. Then, I had to fix the bilge pump (in the rain). Despite some scarey sparking, it finally did drain a considerable amount of water out of the bottom of the boat.

Zachary and Jeremy accidentally wore each other's clothes all day:

The kids made R2-D2s for dessert:

Day Six: Before and After

OLD:
NEW:

Thursday was a catch-up day for us - catching up on laziness! I had stayed up until 1:30 AM the night before, and I was dragging all day. We pretty much watched the man from Floor to Ceiling install our new countertop. I'm almost done reading the book I've been working on, Blink. I just can't seem to get through it, and I'm anxious to move on to some fiction. About the only activity I engaged in was playing ball with Goober and watcing him get in the lake and under the slip. The kids played outside, but didn't get in the water. We put the kitchen back together and went out for dinner. The old Hardee's in Ely was converted into a restaurant called Rock Wood. It was pretty tasty and a surprisingly nice atmosphere. The Loughner girls also had a chance to do some shopping in Ely (Allison was particularly excited about the Secret Sisters Consignment shop). We came home, got the kids showers, and found that we couldn't use the toilet at all. Ugh. So it's down to using the outhouse until we get that figured out.

Day Five: Starlight

Another busy day at the cottage. The day started out like most mornings around here - attending to breakfast, getting little people ready for the day, and cleanup. Mom was up very early and back from retrieving our stray laundry from the Speed Wash by 9:30 AM. I made blueberry pancakes for the kids.We packed a picnic lunch and headed to Bearhead around 11. The kids played on the beach and (mostly) enjoyed their PB&Js. When they were worn out, we went back home and tried to get J and E to rest. A, Z, Goober, and I took the canoe to Blueberry Hill where we found exactly 0 blueberries. We did pick and handful of raspberries, and it felt like an adventure, so it was fun. Goober was very sceptical of the canoe, especially disliking the wind in his face, but once he got used to it he did OK. In fact, after our long walk through the woods, as soon as he saw the canoe, he rushed into the water and jumped in. It won't be easy, but I think we may turn him into a water dog some day!
The day was on the cooler side (70 degrees), but it was sunny enough that the kids (except Jeremy) and I got in the lake. Z and E realized that they can hold each other in the water, and they got a big kick out of that for some reason. E spotted a "lobster" and was very excited.

Susie, Mom, and I all collaborated on beef lo mein (which really deserves to be posted on the food blog soon). YUMMY. After dinner, I took Z and E on a paddle boat ride (the lake had settled to a near glassy surface). The kids could not get enough of watching the large schools of tiny bluegill and other fish feed at the surface near the boat. They got into fits of giggling that were so fun to listen to. A and Susie went out in the canoe (and saw a deer at the water's edge) while we were on our paddle boat ride. We rounded out the night with popcorn, a game of Quirkle, and a trip down to the dock to watch the stars. Z, J, and I even saw a HUGE shooting star. A great day!

Day Four: To Town

Tuesday was overcast and off and on rainy. Zachary was inspired to make nachos for lunch. All the kids helped and ate! After lunch, we headed to Ely to do some laundry. Once we had all the loads going, the kids, Susie, and I left Mom at the Speed Wash and went to the grocery. Then, the kids and I left Susie at the grocery store to go to Crafty Kids at the library. Then, I left the kids at the library to get Susie at the grocery and leave her with Mom at the laundry. Then, I went to the license bureau and back to the library while Mom and Susie finished the laundry, and Mom took Susie back to us at the library. So, is it any wonder that they left a whole load of laundry at the Speed Wash? We don't know how. We don't yet know if we'll get it back. That's truely a first.

The kids made all sorts of fun things at the library. We also got free tickets to the Dorothy Molter (Root Beer Lady) museum there. I loved it! After the museum, we stopped at the Ely Farmer's Market where we bought cilantro from Cole's Organic Garden. Cole is a 12 year old boy who grows all of his own produce, though "my dad sometimes waters it for me." So cute!We got back to the cottage at 6:30 and threw together a leftover/pierogi dinner. I went down to the lake with Allison, who needed someone with her while she washed her hair. Goober was with us, and he actually followed his tossed tennis ball into the lake. He didn't like it, but he did jump off the dock. He hasn't swam yet, but I think it's coming soon.

Day Three: Hello

The first full day at the lake was sunny and windy. I spent the morning organizing our room and stuff. It took ALL morning. It was nice that the kids could entertain each other while Susie and I worked. We swam and inflated water toys. Meanwhile, Mom was helping the kids make a "forever fort" outside (4 pegs, a clothesline, and a tarp). Jeremy thinks it's the greatest thing ever. After lunch, I took the Loughners and Z and J on a boat ride. It took me a while to figure out the motor, but eventually (edited 7/28: THANKS TO A PHONE CALL TO TECHNICAL SUPPORT - AKA MIKE HICKS - sorry for forgetting to mention that, Mike!) I got it started. We toured Lake 1, then I took them to Lake 2. We saw both a bald eagle and a deer at the water's edge right by the springhole. Then, we all swam again. I had just sat down to read when Tim called. Dinner was ham, mac and cheese, green beans, and applesauce. Allison and I took a 3 mile walk after dinner, then cooled off in the lake. Zachary had such a busy day that he actually ASKED to go to bed.

Day Two: On the Road Again

Sunday dawned early for me. For some reason, extremely uncharacteristically, I woke up at 5:00 AM and could not fall back to sleep. As I lay in the dark hotel room, surrounded by sleeping kids and dog, I tried to will myself back to sleep to no avail. Finally, I gave up and got up. Goober and I took a really nice walk in a pretty little residential neighborhood across from the hotel. Still, no one in the room was awake! The kids didn't even wake up until after 9 AM, which was a really good thing - they were up ridiculously late the night before.We made our way a bit more slowly the second day. We pulled out of Chippewa Falls at 11 AM, and got to the cabin 4PM. This was blueberry festival weekend in Ely, and we had fried cheese curds on the brain. Fortunately, we drove through Tower's festival knockoff, Depot Days just before arriving at the cabin. Suddenly, we were parking and an order of fried cheese curds made it's way into the van. YUM.The kids wasted no time getting into the swing of things. We unloaded the van, and then put on swimsuits and headed straight for the lake. Susie and Allison took the canoe out, and the kids and I swam. Mom fixed vegetable soup and hamburgers for dinner. After dinner, the kids did the awesome scavenger hunt that Rachel set up for them. They played a round of penny in the pot and collapsed in bed. A Good Day!

Day One: On the Road

Saturday was a road day for the Cases and Lougners. We piled 2 adults, 3 kids, and 1 dog into the swagger wagon and drove all day. We left Loveland at 6:30 AM and made it to Cashton, Wisconsin in time to buy cheese and butter before Old Country Cheese closed. By 8:00 PM we were settled into our room in Chippewa Falls. THEN, the kids went to the pool and mini-waterpark. Emily and Zachary went down the waterslide about 100 times. They collapsed into sleep around 10:30 PM. Goober even did mostly OK in the car. Good times!

CSA Pickup, July 21

CSA Pickup, July 14

CSA Pickup, July 7