“And at the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair messy and your eyes sparkling.” – Shanti

 

For the first time since 2021 we were finally able to do a family camping trip where everyone came and was able to stay the whole time. Nick was in charge of picking the spot this year and he did great. We went over the border to Wisconsin and stayed at Pettibone Resort . We don't usually stay at private campgrounds but this one was great. We were right on the Mississippi river, the campsites were big and they let us put tents up on our site for the people without campers for only $10. a night. The had biking trails and a beach less than a mile away that was great. 

Nash and Larina 

The beach on the Mississippi River

 

Rick and Nick made 9 homemade pizza's for everyone on Friday night. It was so good! We were all stuffed. I never took a single picture of the pizzas so the above photo is of a pizza Rick made at home 😂

It was Eli's 12th birthday on Saturday. 

 

We lucked out on the weather. We had some rain during the day but it never lasted too long so we were able to enjoy the days. It did rain a lot overnight but we did not care because we were sleeping. 

Oliver and Nash enjoying one of my special smoothies made just for them. 

Nash wanted to go fishing so bad with Grandpa Rick! 

They were finally able to go out and Nash was the first one to catch a fish! 

Olivers catch of the day. 

Rick was so happy that he got to spend so much time fishing while we were there. He spend most of the time in the boat taking whom ever wanted to go. He had not spent very much time fishing the river before so it was a learning trip on where to go. They managed to get fish every time they went out so that is great. 

The campgrounds had a little beach that we checked out. It was not nearly as nice as the other one but the kids still managed to have fun. 

Oh Liam 😂😂😂

I always feel like I take a lot of pictures but then when I get home and look at them I realize that I did not. Jeff and CJ joined us on our trip and I did not get a single picture of them! 

I guess it is okay that I did not have my phone out all the time taking pictures and just enjoyed the time making memories with everyone....

Make memories....

Sharon 

"I travel because I’d rather look back at my life, saying ‘I can’t believe I did that’ instead of ‘if only I had' – Florine Bos

 

Last weekend we took a three day camping trip to Crow Wing State Park. We got there on Friday afternoon set up camp and then went for a hike.

I always try to look at pictures of the campsite before I book it to make sure it is pretty level and nice. Well I totally failed when it came to our site, number 42. It was so uneven and downhill! But the joys of having a camper van meant that we could park sideways in the site and we were level! Once we got parked we were actually happy with the site, it was nice and big. Also we did not bring Otis and Morgan with us on this trip!! We never camp without the dogs so it was weird to not have them. They got to spend the weekend with Christa and chase her cats around and play with her dog Coal. 

The trail was very pretty. We were on the Crow Wing river and Mississippi River. They have a really cool area on the trail that use to be the town of Crow Wing. They had a ton of information about the town. 

The mosquitoes were awful!! We had on bug spray but if you stop for more then a second they attacked!! Good thing I am a fast walker 😆

We saw this huge mushroom along the trail. I have not idea what kind it is but it looked pretty cool. 

The real reason we were in the area was so that Rick could shoot the MSAA State 900 round and the 50 meter. He got 1st place in the 900 round and 2nd place in the 50 meter. He shot great and had a lot of fun!! It is aways great to see our archery family. 

Enjoying life....

Sharon 

“Memories are stitched with love.” – Unknown

My Mom has so many talents and skills one of them is being a seamstress. As long as I can remember she has sewed for herself and for us. Most of the clothing we wore as young children were sewed by my mom. She sewed us dresses, skirts, pants, shorts, tops and pj's. She sewed the bridesmaids dresses for my sisters wedding and many costumes for me when I was in plays in high school. 

I don't remember when I started sewing but I feel like I have been doing it my whole life. My mom had so much skill sewing and she passed that skill down to me. I cannot say I am near the seamstress she is but I could never be as skilled as I am now without her guidance, patiences and love of sewing. 

As we are helping my Mom and Dad go through there things I came across my Moms sewing basket. The sewing basket is such a big part of my memories of sewing with my Mom. When she told me I could have it I was overjoyed. When I opened it up it was full of treasures. 

One of the other things we came across was a box of vintage clothing that my Mom made. My daughters were so excited!! Most of it was from the 1960's and 1970's. What was most exciting to them was that a lot of it is back in fashion now. 

We had a lot of fun trying it on and finding pieces that we can wear. 

Christa was so excited about this dress. Of course she can only take pictures with chickens in them 😊

I LOVE this dress!!! I am totally going to wear it this summer.

             Most everything fit Josie so I made her be my model. She looked so cute in everything.

She decided that the white dress looked like a wedding dress

I love these little summer shirts! My mom has a bunch of vintage patterns and I hope to find the pattern for the shirt. If not I am going to take one apart and make my own pattern. 

                                             Larina is wearing my 1st communion dress. 

Sarah is wearing another one of the dresses my mom made. She was so happy when we told her she could keep it! It fits her perfect! 

This is such a classic dress. She had a bunch of them. She said it was such an easy pattern that she would just whip one up every couple of weeks to wear when they went out to dances. 

This is a dress that either Linda or I wore. It is so, so cute!! Cassie pulled Larina out of the pool to put it on for me for the picture. She needs to be just a little taller and it will fit her perfect. 

This is my Mom, my daughters and granddaughters. Because of my Mom teaching me how to sew I was able to pass her skill on to everyone in the picture.  Josie and Larina are wearing dresses that my Mom made. Four generations of seamstresses all because of Mom....

Pass on your skills.....
Sharon 

  “The challenges are part of the reason why it is so rewarding to sew a garment and be able to say ‘I made that.”

 – Assembil Books