Farewell to Summer

Tomorrow morning, we will bid adieu to summer and dive into school once again.  This will be the first year that I have a child in school all day.  And Tyler will be doing preschool twice a week.  But still, it brings routine to our day.  (I'll post about our new school routine soon.)  I don't know why I resist the change so much.  I think we all long for a little more structure. 

But saying good-bye to summer is always bitter sweet.  This last weekend, we took our long awaited family vacation to Bear Lake.  We went last year and our boys have been talking about it ever since.  We stay at the KOA, which is, in my opinion, the most fun KOA ever.  There are so many activities for the kids, from the pool (which we had to ourselves much of the time), to the hay rides and train rides, mini golf, the jumping pillow (like a giant trampoline), and of course bike riding.  Plus, the lake is just across the road.  We met up with my family (3 out of the 4) and my boys just loved spending time with cousins. 

This is us on one of the tractor rides they do each night through the campground.

We visited Minnetonka Cave, which I have not been to in probably 15 years.  It was amazing!  The best part was carrying two kids up and down 888 stairs, while trying to calm Chad down because it was "too dark."  Once we got out of the cave, Chad admitted that he thought it was pretty cool. 

Just outside the entrance to the cave.  It was about 90 degrees that day, but
at the entrance and inside the cave is was just 40 degrees. 

These are just amazing!  And the vastness of the rooms was incredible!

The pictures do no justice.  This room was the size of a football field. 

We spent a few hours at the beach. The lake is really full this year, so it was harder to find a fun place to play.  And, Greyson was really tough at the beach.  (Heck, he's tough all the time lately.)  He liked the water for a bit, but then he wanted to be in the shade and he wanted food.  Maybe next year we'll spend a little more time at the lake.  For now, I reminded Chad and Tyler that our own sandbox makes a great "Bear Lake" when we put a little water in it.  They took me up on the offer the very night we got home. 

We had a lot of fun.  It's always hard to come back home after a great getaway. 

The school supplies have been purchased, and Chad insists that he is excited to start 1st grade.  He is most excited to have his very own desk.  Tyler can't wait for his friends to come to his preschool (that is until they want to play with his toys-then I'm sure he'll protest).  And Greyson, if only I can stretch out him taking 2 naps a day just a few months longer.  I'm fighting a loosing battle there. 

School, here we come!