This year's Kavanaugh's vacation wasn't marred by tornados like last year's... but the Brainerd area got seven inches of rain the day prior to our arrival, and the showers continued over the the next few. So, beach time was sparse, but we made the most of it... golfing at Cragun's Legacy course through the rain, taking of the local YMCA's gym for a giant kickball game, and spending every other sunny second in the pool, on the sand volleyball and tennis courts, or on the lake.
On the fishing front, Lake Sylvan isn't exactly an anglers favorite, but the girls slayed the sunnies and other (very) small panfish one evening off the pontoon... with E starting to get the hang of baiting her own hook, and removing and releasing her catches.
L, the girls & I joined Alicia & Evan and braved the crowds downtown to take in Minneapolis' 4th of July fireworks display over the Mississippi and Stone Arch Bridge (and amidst several General Mills landmarks).
The crew, my sibs' families included, spent the long weekend leading up to the 4th in Fairmont. With the exception of adding a stand-up paddle board to the mix, and (finally) nailing sparkler art, it was a weekend of the same ol' activities resulting in the same ol' good time.
The girls' school offered a mini track "season" early this summer. It was more of a weekly open house, where the kids could try their hand (or feet) at a number of events.
Sawyer's favorite, by a mile, was the standing broad jump, an event she actually won a few of the weeks. Evie's was the high jump (she must have Auntie La's genes). Both hated any and all running events (also an Auntie La gene).
My favorite was seeing the emergence of a "game face" on S; a furrowed brow and tight, scowling lips. A-dorable.
E & S spend a week in Fairmont annually for Vacation Bible School at Grace Lutheran, my childhood church. The favorite part by a mile, is learning and singing new songs.
Nana helps with VBS by day, bonds with the girls during the evening slumber parties... and ultimately gives L & I a precious week of kid-free fun (date night at Birch's in Long Lake pictured above).
