Summer Bucket List

This summer we have been more intentional as a family to make time for the special things we want to do together.  We had several reasons feeding our intentionality:

• After last summer when we had a lot of time together as a family while Brent was not working, we did some different things together that we had never challenged ourselves to doing or had never made time for
• After a l-o-n-g winter, we were reminded how fleeting the opportunities of summer can be in Minnesota
• Knowing that Luke is starting school in the fall, we (or at least I) feel an urgency to make the most of our summer-of-freedom together before the 13 years of school years officially begin
• Luke is at a great age to try new things and maybe even remember them into the future now that he's five and a half
• Life is short

So, we have a sort of informal, summer "bucket list" if you will started on our fridge of things we'd like to do together as a family this summer.  A few of them have already come to fruition while others are still on our radar.  This past week has provided us an opportunity to make a few happen with Brent and I both off work. 

Last Friday night, we made our way downtown to take in the sites of the Rochesterfest parade.  This has become a tradition for us each summer since Luke was a toddler.  It's fun to see how his perception of the parade changes through the years.  This year he was much less intimidated by the loud sounds and was more interested in collecting candy.  It was a beautiful night and we stayed to the very end of the parade this year, which was a first for the three of us.

Last Saturday, we headed to Wisconsin Dells for four days with the Pickers.  This was a monumental first:  the first, three generation, family vacation!  Thanks to the ingenuity and organizing efforts of my lovely sisters-in-law, the first time trip came to life:)  We had a great time and all had a lot of fun on the water slides at The Great Wolf Lodge, playing mini golf at Pirate's Cove, playing and riding rides at Knucklehead's, and shopping at Tanger Outlet Center.  All in all, a great, age appropriate trip for the kids and fun for the adults too.  We have way too many pics to post on the blog, but check out Kodak Gallery for our June 2011 photo album. 

Today, we took advantage of the "cooler" weather (anything feels better after 100 degree weather) and took a hike at Oxbow Park with a stop at Zollman Zoo in the middle.  We did this last spring/summer and really enjoyed the nice trail options available and it's always fun to stop to see the animals:)  Check out a few pics from our hike:

Near the middle before we got to the zoo

Near the end when Luke was tired and Brent gave him a ride on his shoulders

P.S. I don't want to give the impression that the path is all stairs as these pictures happen to show.  These were two isolated areas.  95% of the path was a dirt trail.

Luke enjoying a very bubbly bath after a sweaty, dirty afternoon of hiking:)

It has been a wonderful week of fun together, relaxing together, and simply enjoying a beautiful summer week of vacation together.