We have returned from a couple weeks in Melrose. Fred was with us the first week and the boys and I stayed and extra week so Jacob could go to Vacation Bible School (VBS) at St Paul's and I helped out there too. We had a fun vacation, but it is nice to be home.
With Fred we tried to get to the lake as much as the weather allowed. We went and saw Fred's uncle play in one of his many bands. Watched the coverage of the "sexual assault" that happened not far from my sister's house. Fred got in a round of golf with his dad. We also enjoyed some time at the Stearns County Fair and watched the demolition derby, starring our nephew whose car ended up under another car at one point. Scary!
The second week in Melrose the boys got haircuts and then got they did pictures with their Jeske cousins (Maddie and Isaac). Jacob got to do a couple sleepovers at Middendorf's as "the twins" (cousins) were staying with Grandma and Grandpa for the week. Gavin got to spend time at Middendorf's while Jacob and I went to VBS. We capped off the week with a trip to the Little Falls Zoo.
Meanwhile back in Chaska our house got reshingled and I was very anxious to see it after Fred described the new shingles as "red". I was very relieved to find that they were not so "red", but brown with maybe a tinge of red - I think they coordinate well with the brick on the front of our house. Fred also got some painting of primer done in the basement and some other to-dos done, not all from my list I left him:)
Fred came back up to Melrose on Friday night and we enjoyed "42nd Street" in Cold Spring, directed by Fred's brother and our sister-in-law. On Saturday Fred took the boys, the twins and cousin Samantha to the lake. While I got to come to Chaska with my dad to assess the water problem in our basement. We had 6" of rain here on Friday night and the sump pump hose had not been placed where it should have been (I refrained from chewing my husband out too badly). My sister came down to help us clean it up. Luckily there isn't any carpeting down there and I don't think there was any permanent damage done.
We broke out the new 3 person "tube". Here Jacob is enjoying it with cousins Jesse and Jordan.
A typical scene at the lake, Fred in the water with the kids. Here Gavin is smiling at Maddie swimming to him.
Jacob jumping off the raft.
Jacob and Maddie practicing their syncronized jumping.
Grandma Mary Ann even got on the tube (with her clothes on) with Gentry. Daring Grandma.
We had the Feldewerd boys out at the cabin with us one day.
Here Gavin and Ben are playing with trucks.
Jacob and Jake had fun with the paddle boat for hours. They were determined enough to unbeach it themselves and then clever enough to figure out they could anchor themselves to the shore and paddle out a ways. So fun to watch bright 4 year olds play. Amazing how well they do when they see each other about twice a year, but play like they are best friends. (Their moms find that really special, being friends since 1st grade.)
Jacob (far left) with his new preschool buddies at the VBS final program. They sang a peppy version of "This Little Light of Mine".
We went with Alyssa and her kids and Grandma and Grandpa J to the Little Falls Zoo. Here the kids are pretending to be afraid of the stuffed wolf. Well, everyone but Gavin.
Watching the funny little bears play at the zoo. 2 at a time would climb in that blue barrel and wrestle around.
Gavin feeding the goats. He'd give the animals one pellet at a time.
Jacob feeding the donkey.
They boys are obsessed with their scooters lately. When my dad made a run to Chaska for a buddy, we had him stop and bring the scooters to Melrose. He was their hero! Here Gavin is acting like the 4 year old he thinks he is.
We are still kind of on vacation with the PGA here in town. My mom came down yesterday and we took the boys (they were free to get in). Today my sisters and my brother-in-law went. Apparently we saw Tiger yesterday, but today we really did see him and recognize him. Why is it so exciting to see famous people? I don't know, but it was. My sisters and my dad are going on Saturday too. It's fun to watch the golfers and the other spectators. I'll try to get some of our PGA pictures posted soon too.
Tiger, getting ready to tee off on 18.
Tiger, posing for me. How nice he is!
Tiger after he tee shot.
Ernie Els leading his crew off down the fairway.
Angel Cabrera with his group. (He's second from the right)
Rich Beem teeing off on 17.
Adrea taking a nap in between golfers. So her mother's daughter.
The boys and I in our new PGA Championship hats.
We broke out the new 3 person "tube". Here Jacob is enjoying it with cousins Jesse and Jordan.
A typical scene at the lake, Fred in the water with the kids. Here Gavin is smiling at Maddie swimming to him.
Jacob jumping off the raft.
Jacob and Maddie practicing their syncronized jumping.
Grandma Mary Ann even got on the tube (with her clothes on) with Gentry. Daring Grandma.
We had the Feldewerd boys out at the cabin with us one day. 
Jacob and Jake had fun with the paddle boat for hours. They were determined enough to unbeach it themselves and then clever enough to figure out they could anchor themselves to the shore and paddle out a ways. So fun to watch bright 4 year olds play. Amazing how well they do when they see each other about twice a year, but play like they are best friends. (Their moms find that really special, being friends since 1st grade.)
Jacob (far left) with his new preschool buddies at the VBS final program. They sang a peppy version of "This Little Light of Mine".
We went with Alyssa and her kids and Grandma and Grandpa J to the Little Falls Zoo. Here the kids are pretending to be afraid of the stuffed wolf. Well, everyone but Gavin.
Watching the funny little bears play at the zoo. 2 at a time would climb in that blue barrel and wrestle around.
Gavin feeding the goats. He'd give the animals one pellet at a time.
Jacob feeding the donkey.
They boys are obsessed with their scooters lately. When my dad made a run to Chaska for a buddy, we had him stop and bring the scooters to Melrose. He was their hero! Here Gavin is acting like the 4 year old he thinks he is.
