Last Lake Trip of 2009

We headed up to Birch Lake one last time (for the season) for Labor Day. As always, it was wonderful to spend good times and great meals with family. The highlight of the trip this time (for me at least!) was the massive amounts of minnows swimming around and under the pier. I can't recall ever seeing so many in the water in all the years (28) I've been up to Birch. It was really cool.

Here are some photos of my family and Ally's steadfast attempt at catching some minnows. At one point, I think the entire family was out on the pier trying to net some of those sneaky guys! My cousin Connor was finally the hero, using Grandma's antique popcorn popper (much to her dismay) to do the trick.

Grandma feeding J.J. some lunch

Ally and Meg with some pretty cool hats

Aunt Paula and J.J.

Laura and J.J.

Uncle Dave, Mom and I laughing at someone's attempt at catching minnows

Ally tying up her minnow net

Ally pulling up her minnow net, for the 5th of 108 times

Ally convinced that the stick that floated into the net is really a minnow

Connor showing off the first little fella he caught...he then proceeded to catch around 85 of them

Random Summer Photos - 2009

It has been far too long...

Here are some photos from the summer with a promise of more to come...

Ally and Matt building "Shreky Castles"

J.J. working on his standing

J.J. just being cute

Ally being a princess

Ally in my Cubs shirt playing baseball - with a pink bat, of course

Celebrating Grandma's birthday

J.J. trying cake for the first time...he was crazy for it!

Ally's now-famous "Hug or Headlock" move

Ally's trip with Pooh Bear and dad to the Farmer's Market

Ally shuckin' corn