The Cabin

We had a quick, but fun trip to Tom and Karen’s cabin this past weekend.  We joined Sean, Melissa & the kids and Melissa’s parents on Saturday and Sunday to celebrate Sean and Will’s birthdays.  We had a great time fishing, swimming, tubing and playing birthday games.  The cake was pretty good too!
The Sullivans (minus Melissa & Mary)
The Sullivans (Minus Melissa & Mary)
Nana, Papa & Grandkids
Tom, Karen, Mike, Sean & The Kids
Jack, Sebastian & Ella Tubing
Jack, Sebastian & Ella Tubing
Sea Doo Ride - Sean, Sophia & Will
Sea Doo Ride - Sean, Sophia & Will
Sophia & Will Looking for Rocks
Sophia & Will Looking for Rocks

 Let the party begin…

Pin The Tail On The Donkey
Pin The Tail On The Donkey
Balloon Toss
Balloon Toss
Balloon Toss II
Balloon Toss
The Birthday Boy With His Cake
The Birthday Boy With His Cake
After The Gifts Were Opened
After The Gifts Were Opened
Sophia & Ella
Sophia & Ella
Sean, Ella, Jack & Will
Sean, Ella, Jack & Will

 Mike is getting quite good at making sandcastles.  I think this is his best work yet.

Mikes Sandcastle Masterpiece
Mike's Sandcastle Masterpiece

 Some of the locals…

Meanie Mom Duck & Her Ducklings
Meanie Mom Duck & Her Ducklings

Lack Of Cooperation

I think the kids (and Mike) are trying to tell me that I’ve take too many photos of them recently.  What do you think?

Hand In Face
Hand In Face
Bunny Ears
Bunny Ears
More Bunny Ears
More Bunny Ears
Posing For Photos
Weird Faces
Goofing Around
Goofing Around
More Bunny Ears
Again With The Bunny Ears
Yes, They Are Ticklish
Yes, They Are Ticklish
Poser
Poser

Finally, a couple of halfway decent shots…

Big Smile
Big Smile
Our New Yacht
Our New Yacht

Life’s A Beach

The kids enjoyed the sun and the sand at their grandparent’s cabin during our vacation.  They spent hours playing in the sand, fishing, tubing, catching frogs and feeding ducks. 

Making Sand Castles
Making Sand Castles
Making Sandcastles
Making Sand Castles
Fun In The Sun
Fun In The Sun
Cool Shades
Cool Shades

We saw three ducklings without a mother on our first day at the cabin.  They kept swimming by the shore, stopping to eat and sleep under the dock and then were back out swimming along the shore.  We saw them several times during the day, but still no mother.  We also saw a bald eagle in a large white pine tree on the island near the cabin.  We were fairly certain that we knew what happened to their mom.  Another mother duck swam by with babies of her own that were larger than the orphan ducklings.  We hoped she would adopt them, but she only frightened them away so that her own babies could eat.  We didn’t see the orphans on the second day.  We were hopeful that they were okay on their own.  On the third day, we saw a mother with six newborn ducklings…and the three larger ducklings.  The orphans were following the family around.  The mother seemed fine with her newborns and the bigger ducklings. They had been adopted!

Orphan Ducklings
Orphan Ducklings
Just Keep Swimming
Just Keep Swimming

We also saw this guy walking along the shore looking for fish and flying by throughout our time at the cabin.

Heron
Heron

The kids did a bit fishing from the dock while we were there.  They caught sunnies and rock bass and Mike pulled in a decent size northern pike.  Big enough to fillet – much to Sophia’s distress.  “Why are you cutting off his head?”, she asked.

Gone Fishin
Gone Fishin'
Look What I Caught
Look What I Caught
Taking Out The Hook
Taking Out The Hook

One of Sebastian and Sophia’s favorite things to do at the cabin is to catch frogs and toads.  They have it down to a science.  After breakfast, the first thing they do is go down to the lake shore.  There is an old fishing boat laying by the shore that the frogs and toads like to hide under.  They have an adult flip the boat over and then they grab frogs and toads like crazy with their bare hands or with a net until they can’t hang on to anymore.  They are usually very successful as you can see from the pictures below.

And I Shall Call Him Froggie
...And I Shall Name Him "Froggie"
A Frog In The Hand...
A Frog In The Hand...
Pet Toad
Pet Toad
Isnt He Cute?
Isn't He Cute?