7/1/06...Our camp site at Split Rock Lighthouse.  Lake Superior was just behind the fence - though we didn't have a great view of it.  But we could hear the waves!  We spent a long weekend here before Independence Day.

Nathaniel playing with trucks along the shore of Lake Superior.

Cooling off in the icy waters of Lake Superior.  The air was hot - mid 80s so the water felt good!

Annabelle's feet in the waves.

On top of Day Hill, gazing at the lighthouse.

More stunning views!

Nathaniel loves playing in the rocks on the beach!

On top of Corundum Point - another breathtaking overlook!

Annabelle and me resting on a huge series of steps that leads around the back of Day Hill, adjacent to the lake.

Annabelle gave Chris and me a "rock spa" treatment on Pebble Beach.

Nathaniel has a strange tradition of covering his ears with large rocks on Pebble Beach.  Silly Boy!

Biking on the Gitchi-Gammi Trail.  We biked all the way to Beaver Bay - a round trip of 12 miles.  Way to go kids!

7/3/06...Time to pack up - the kids rode in the cart to our site.

Annabelle and me in front of the lighthouse.

More lighthouse shots...

7/4/06...Back home for Independence Day.  A sneak peak of Annabelle wearing her Laura Ingalls costume for this week's Laura look alike contest in Walnut Grove, MN.  An early birthday gift from Grandma Rudy!

Nathaniel all ready for the Bike Parade at Round Lake.  He is sporting a new bike too - the tire blew out on his little bike last week, so we moved to the next size!

Here we are starting the bike parade route.  Annabelle made a speedy retreat after this picture, she feels like she is too old to be seen in the bike parade these days! 

Relaxing in the shade at Round Lake.  we had a picnic lunch during the Splatter Sisters concert, our tradition.  

Annabelle and Chris doing the daddy-daughter dance.  We spent the rest of the day at the Round Lake festivities, including the fireworks at 10.  It was spectacular and both kids fell into bed exhausted at 11 p.m.!

7/6/06...Annabelle mixing up the batter for her birthday cake and cupcakes.

Licking the beater of the icing!

Annabelle with the cupcakes for her "Spa Party".  They have feet with painted toenails - wearing flip flops.  The girls had pedicures and decorated flip flops during the party.

The party started with some water therapy... in the sprinkler.

Then a bubbly foot soak for the pedicures...

Followed by toenail painting!

Decorating flip-flops!

Happy Birthday Annabelle!

Next to the hair salon...for a style for each girl.

7/7/06...Annabelle's big day - started with her favorite breakfast of blueberry pancakes!

Annabelle spent the morning playing with her brother.  Here they were playing beauty shop - and she was styling his hair!

A little blow drying!

Annabelle spent the afternoon with her good friend Jenna.  The girls decorated Annabelle's cake and did a mighty fine job!

Annabelle with her cake.

Annabelle and Jenna

7/16/06...Annabelle in the garden.  Her "Annabelle" hydrangea looks gorgeous this year (the big white balls to the left of Annabelle)

Picking the first green beans from "Nathaniel's Garden".  We've been battling wildlife with lots of liquid fence spray...and may see a few fruits from our labor.  The kenebec potatoes are doing great!

7/20/06...Making ice cream with our church friends.

Nathaniel's turn to crank!

7/23/06...Trying to beat the heat on a lazy Sunday afternoon

Nathaniel loves to squirt the hose (at his sister!)

A hummingbird moth that I spotted in our garden.  They seem to be fairly common, and I have seen 3 in the last few days.  Very interesting creatures!  To learn more - click on the following links: www.birds-n-garden.com/hummingbird_moths.html

www.Hummingbirdmoth.com

Look closely and you can see his proboscis (curled nectar probe!)!

7/27/06...Annabelle enjoying some raspberries from our hill.  I've been picking since mid July - and they are nearly done.

7/31/06...A little bug we crafted out of a paving stone for the garden.

The "purple fairy" with her wand.  We had to decorate a plain dowel rod as her wand - it is crowned with a jewel studded ball, covered with tulle and has long streamers.