Totally Tubular

I know, I know.....it has been about two months since our vacation to Minnesota. However, in my ever so slow continuance of our Minnesota vacation summary, one of the highlights this year was getting the chance to go tubing with the kids. We were lucky enough to have a friend (from Coralville) at the lake who brought up his new speedboat, tube, etc.

We started by taking the kids tubing behind the pontoon boat, which worked really well for the kids. The only malfunciton that occurred was when my dad tried making a sharp turn with teh pontoon which doesn't work so well. Kinnick and I came to a stop in the tube, started to sink, and then began taking in water. I eventually had to pull Kinnick and I off the tube and into the lake so he wouldn't drown from the water over taking his head.

Later in the week we were even more blessed as our friend Luke took us out on his speedboat. What a trip. My nephew, brother-in-law, and I all rode solo and had a blast. Our brave and crazy little boy Carver also went with me behind the speedboat which was really cool.

While The Girls Are Away.......

The boys will play.

Amy and Taylor took a trip to Washington D.C. a week or so ago, in which they were gone for five days. While away, the boyz did some hangin' out and enjoyed our time together. We ate like men (brats, sloppy joe's, meatloaf) and did so at the bar/counter rather than dinner table. We also went to Meet the Bears night, which was where West Branch High School introduced the football team, cheerleaders, coaches, etc.

The highlight of the five days was probably Saturday, in which we did several fun activities. We took a trip to Wilson's Apple Orchard, where the boys main concern was riding the on the trailer which is pulled by a big John Deere tractor. They remembered this from last year and would not let me forget about the trailer on the way to the orchard.

Since we had some time to spare while waiting for the rides to start, I decided to head the Coralville Dam and Reservoir area. First, we went searching for fossils at the gorge below the spillway.

Then we went down toward the dam where I gave the boys a lesson in hydraulics.

Following the dam, we headed to McBride and the Raptor Center. Though the boys were skeptical at first they ended up loving the huge, beautiful birds on display.

After visiting the raptors we travelled back to the orchard for our tractor ride. We enjoyed eating numerous apples along our picking journey and the trailer ride through the creek was a hit. We then bought some YUMMY turnovers, caramel, and our apples and headed home.

Of course, boys can't always be boys, right????????

When Bike Meets Pavement

I began my walk with the dogs tonight, as Kinnick and Carver decided they would ride their bikes along with. They come flying out of the driveway and head down a substantial size hill with full speed. As they were flying down the hill, I knew in the back of my mind they were going to try to ride through the pothole at the bottom of the hill as they discovered yesterday while splashing through it slowly on their bikes.

This time, they weren't going so slowly. Kinnick flew thru but kept control of his bike somehow. Carver was not so lucky. He hit the pothole, wobbled side to side, and then proceeded to flip off his bike and roll three times. I sprinted down the hill (with the dogs) as Carver lied there crying hysterically. Once I got down there I saw blood all over his hand and arm but no major cuts, then I realized the blood was coming from his mouth.


Though it's hard to see on the phone pic, he has a nice fat lip but the bleeding has stopped. He's having a bit of trouble talking but that's not necessarily a bad thing. (just kidding)


His chest and back are all bruised and scratched.

Both of his knees have several cuts, forearms and elbows are cut up, and he has a cut on the very top of his forehead where the helmet didn't quite cover. Thank God he was wearing his helmet.

Volleyball Pics

As promised, here are pictures from our volleyball tournament.



Our team consisted of Jodi (Off the Net) and Jerry (Can't Set) Yeggy, Matt (Lepreuchan) and Amy (Lucky Charm) Finley, and Amy (Bruiser) and I (Wonder Twin).

I came up with a design for our team shirts and drew it, and our teammates friend had a buddy make them for us.

Flyin' High

Well, back to the blogs about our trip to Minnesota. As a big surprise to all of us this year, we found out that a sea plan visits our resort weekly.

We kept this information on the "down low", as Amy and I planned to let the boys take a trip.

Since Taylor and Amy will be taking a girls trip to D.C., and in doing so Taylor will be taking her first flight (several actually), we figured it would be nice for the boys to get a flight of their own.

The boys were so excited when the plane landed on the lake and taxied into the bay. But boy, were they REALLY excited when we told them they were going to get to go in it and fly.

Grandpa rode in back with Kinnick and Carver, as I rode up front in the co-pilot's seat. The kids had a lot of fun communicating via the headsets.

Here is a view of our resort from the "Beaver", which was the name of the plane.

We had a nice smooth ride and a wonderful trip with many great views of the Minnesota lakes.

We Let You Win

I interrupt the previous series of blogs in process to bring you this update........

Brian and Amy played sand volleyball this weekend from Saturday at noon until 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Yes, that would be 14 hours of volleyball! Crazy enough, the tournament probably would have lasted until 6:00 or 7:00 in the morning if was not cancelled at 2:00 due to lightning.

Amy and I have been playing in a volleyball rec league all summer in West Branch. This is a six on six league which ended with this tournament on Saturday. We play with a couple of other couple friends that live on our street (Pheasant Run). The first 12 hours was consumed by playing 3 sets against each team to determine seeding. The double elimination tournament then followed, which didn't get started until about 1:00 a.m.

It was a LONG day, but we had a lot of fun. We ended up playing the first round of the double elimination tournament in down pouring rain, but we probably played our best volleyball. Needless to say, we were and are VERY sore today (Sunday) and I'm sure will be again tomorrow.

Pictures are to come.

Chilly Water

But who really cares, right? Part 2 of our trip features the kids in the water. And let me tell you, there was a lot of time in the water despite the temperature of the water outside.

So, you may ask, what do we do up in the lake in Hackenack, Minnesota. So, let me tell you by the way of pictures.

1. THE GOGGLES

2. THE SLIDE:

3. THE BOATS

4. THE WATER GUN

5. THE JUMP

6. THE SAND CASTLE

And last, but certainly not least....

7. THE SWIM

Heading Up North

Consider this Part 1 of our vacation recap to Minnesota a couple of weeks ago. As a tradition, we begin our trek up north on Friday morning and make our way to a hotel near the Mall of American just outside the Twin Cities. This gives all of us time to enjoy what is now called Nickelodeon Universe (formerly Camp Snoopy) as well as a little bit of shopping (usually at Lego Land).

This year we finally wised up and decided to get bracelets for the kids, allowing them to ride as many rides as they can for a fixed price.

We were able to get to Nickelodeon Universe early enough to take advantage of these bracelets, and let us "big people" get a few rides in as well.

As another tradition, we took this trip with my parents and my sister's family. As you can see in the picture below, the cousins love hanging out all together.

Why buy the picture at the ride when you can take a picture of a picture with your camera phone!

Not the best quality in the world, but you can see our faces full of excitement and joy as we take our final ride down the Log Ride.