Family – Page 24 – M. Sullivan Photography

August 16, 2013 M. Sullivan Photography Family, Friends, Lake Superior, Photos

Sophia x2

A high school friend of my mine was in town recently. Her Dad was having surgery and she came to be here with him. She and her children were spending a number of days in Minnesota to visit family and friends. She was a bridesmaid in my wedding, but moved away after college. We hadn’t kept in touch much until after her daughter was born. After reconnecting, I found out that she also has a daughter named Sophia that was born the same year as my Sophia. Exactly three months to the day before my Sophia.

The girls had only met once when they were very small. In fact, neither Sophia nor Sebastian remembered meeting before. We got together on a beautiful evening at Playfront Park. The kids played on the playground and ran around. Then Mike and Sebastian started up a touch football game. All of the kids teamed up and had a great time. They even took in a random kid or two that happened to be in the park. After they finished the game, we walked over to Bayfront Festival Park and along the lakewalk so that her kids could see the largest freshwater lake in the world.

They even saw a few boats heading in and out under the Aerial Lift Bridge including this sailboat.

Then they started skipping rocks which turned into throwing rocks in the water.

Even my friend’s youngest son sprinkled in some pebbles to see the splash they made.

Then the girls found a big rock…

…and watched it splash into the water.

Next they headed for the big stage at Bayfront. Maybe they wanted to pretend to be rock stars.

It was getting dark and was way past the kids’ bedtimes when we left.

I sure wish they lived closer. So does Sophia. 🙂

August 9, 2013 M. Sullivan Photography Birds, Family, Photos, Vacation, Weather

Summer Vacation

We took a week off during July and packed our bags, loaded up the SUV, hitched up the boat, grabbed the kids and the dog and departed for a week at a cabin in northern Wisconsin. We all were ready for some time away from our hectic daily schedule and were craving some rest and relaxation. We arrived very late on a Saturday evening (thanks to a championship Little League baseball game that delayed our departure). We unpacked our bags and dropped into bed. The next day we slept in, checked out the lake, headed into town for groceries and enjoyed the evening making s’mores. Let the relaxation begin!

The week in photos…

We enjoyed swimming, boating, tubing, playing games and the nature that surrounded us.

Mike and the kids also tried their hand at go-karts. It was a huge hit!

As Sebastian got closer to Mike & Sophia…

…Sophia put her foot on top of Mike’s and pushed the gas pedal to the floor!

The final s’more of vacation.

Final card game of vacation.

Final family photo of vacation.

We are already looking forward to next summer. 🙂

August 6, 2013 M. Sullivan Photography Animals, Family, Flowers, Garden, Photos

The Simple Life

Growing up in rural Minnesota, life was simple. Too simple I thought at the time. Summers were spent working on the farm, making hay, helping with the garden. As a kid, I didn’t appreciate the simple life. Going back and visiting my Mom this past weekend made me realize that growing up out in the country was actually pretty cool. We learned how things grow, we saw calves being born, chickens hatching and tadpoles turn into frogs. We harvested peas, beans, carrots and more than a dozen other vegetables from the garden. We picked apples and plums in the fall from our trees. We cut wood for the stove to keep the house warm in the winter. These are the kinds of thing I want my kids to see, understand and appreciate. I know a quick weekend with Grandma won’t do all of this, but it’s a start.