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Towards the end of September Donna, Paul, Drew, Dustin, and I were up at the cabin.  It was the Gandy’s big celebration.  The day ended up being a mini-tour.  We finished out the day at the Gandy and then came home tired and done.

Peter is a really good eater.  He’ll eat everything but a few green items.  Well that is until he discovered frozen peas.  He couldn’t eat them fast enough.  I guess I know how to get some green in him.

We got snow!

Dustin celebrated his birthday so I made him a cake.  He got to pick whatever flavor he wanted.  He picked german chocolate.  I did have for him and put regular chocolate frosting on my half.

It was a sad, sad day when the boat came out of the lake.  Dustin, Donna, Scoop and I took the last ride to the landing and it was cold.  Paul met us with the truck and trailer and out it went.  Dustin and Zoey rode on the boat back to the cabin.  It’s now hibernating for the winter under the roof.

After the boat came out, we were able to start our annual tavern tour.  This year we started at Hillside.  We then went to a lovely bridge to have lunch on the side of the road.  Next we went to Rosenthals.  Tami was celebrating her 40th birthday.  We played with the trivia cards at Roamers (even though it’s not really called Roamers anymore.)  The Shop had tasty appetizers.  Just ask Donna about the mushrooms.  Finally, we rounded the day out at the Crow Bar.  Once we got back to the cabin, there was suppose to be a post party but the other people never made it.  Overall, it was a great day.

Peter got a bunch of fun Halloween gifts from a Halloween gift exchange.  He got a sweet hat and gloves, some really cute outfits, and a big green pumpkin bucket.  His favorite was to put the fruit snack packets he got in and out of the bucket.  He didn’t realize until later that there was goodness in the packets.  We also put the fun pumpkin and spider window clings on our front window.

Zoey got a haircut.  She looks and smells awesome now!  She even got pretty pink bows.

And to round out the post, here are some fun pictures of Peter hammering.

So I realised that it’s been much to long since we’ve added some fun updates and pictures so pull up a seat and here we go.

First off, there are of course fun cabin pictures.  Peter decided that he needed his hat and then sun glasses all on his own.  One of his favorite toys up there is sticks.  There is one stick in particular that he loves.  It’s actually lasted multiple weeks.  I don’t think Zoey is as much of a fan but they work it out.  Peter also figured out how to climb up on the riding lawn mower.  We’ll have to put him to work sooner than I thought.

Bethy, Peter and I went to the Como Zoo before school started.  We had fun seeing all the animals.  Peter was very serious the whole time.  He wasn’t a fan of the monkeys.  Flamingos are a winner, zebras were kind of cool, and he really likes pictures of giraffes so we admired the real thing.  I think he had more fun while we waited for the Sparky show and playing with the spoon from the ice cream.  We all thought the butterfly tent was super cool.  They were every where and huge!

Bethy went to visit her grandpa Ralph and we were fortunate enough to reap the benefits.  There’s nothing better than fresh sweet corn that was picked right before you eat it.  Peter couldn’t agree more.  Although, he was a little confused on which end to eat.  Once he got it straightened out, he ate two whole ears!  

The family went to the State Fair this year.  I love going every year so it was fun to be able to share the experience with Peter.  He thought it was awesome as there was so much to see, smell, taste, and hear.  Everyone loved his hat.  He even got a free button because of the sweet hat.  He’s a little man after my own heart and loved the chickens.  He even tried talking to them.  He wasn’t so sure on the pigs but they are really big and loud.  One of our party did end up crashing after all the sun, food, and fun.  That meant it was time to go but we’ll be back next year for sure.  

We went with my parents, Jim and Sherry, on a day trip to Lark Toys.  It’s an awesome toy store in Kellogg, MN.  There are so many rooms full of really good toys.  Peter got to pick a wooden pull toy.  He had a good time testing them each out but finally decided on a giraffe.  He also ended up with two cars and a new bib.  Even Dustin got something, a deck of cards with scientists on them.  After we shopped and played, it was time to ride the hand carved carousel.  Peter rode the chicken and it didn’t go so well.  He cried the whole time.  We did move to the cart being pulled by an ostrich and that wasn’t as bad.  We’ll wait to try another ride for awhile.  After the toy store, we at lunch at a cute cafe.  Peter was a fan of the Amish family’s cute kids.  We went to a creamery and had ice cream.  Peter really liked all the big bikes that where there.  Then we admired the beautiful drive home through Wisconsin.  

September 19th was the 5k walk.  I was a little nervous that I wouldn’t make it.  In my head that seems like forever.  We all gathered at Thomas Beach on Lake Calhoun.  Matt Logelin stood up and thanked everyone for coming.  He held up Maddy but she didn’t have as much to say, although she made the rounds later and had plenty to talk about then.  (I think Peter has found his future bride.)  We then all started off around the lake.  Peter thought he should walk like everyone else.  He wasn’t very speedy though and had fallen earlier so he had a scraped knee.  After we convinced him it was better to ride, we cruised on.  I was amazed when I asked if we were almost half way done and found out we only had blocks left.  I actually made it!  Thanks for everyone’s support.  

And finally after all of that, we’re worn out…

Yesterday, we completed harvest of the 2009 hop crop. This year we were able to recover quite a bit of Cascade, some Chinook, Mt. Hood and a small amount of Perle and Goldings. It’s going to be an exciting brewing year!

On September 19^th Dustin, Peter, and I will be doing a 5k walk on Lake Calhoun. The walk is to raise money for the Liz Logelin Foundation. This foundation was created in honor of Liz who died twenty four hours after giving birth. Her husband Matt was left to raise their daughter, Madeline, while trying to grieve the loss of his wife. Through this hardship, he has been able to create a foundation to help other families who have lost a husband or wife and are in need of financial help raising their children.

I am very grateful every day for the many blessing in my life. I have a wonderful husband who supports me and loves me. I have a healthy and happy son who is growing and exploring his world every day. We all have friends and family that we know we can turn to and count on in good times as well as hard times. To be able to share even just a little piece of that happiness with someone in need is an honor.

I’m turning to you for help in this cause. We would love to have your emotional support for this walk. Let’s face it, a 5k walk seems a little daunting to a novice with old lady bones pushing a stroller. We would also welcome any financial support. I know times can be tight for everyone now so if you can’t give much, or anything, I understand. I also know that because times are tight, even the little bit we can do will make a difference to those in need.

Thank you for your love and support,

Annie (along with Dustin and Peter)

P.S. – For more information on the foundation and walk, you can go to http://thelizlogelinfoundation.org/

Dustin helped Paul (Pop pop) with some antenna work at the cabin a few weekends ago.  I’m not sure what the ultimate goal was but they lifted it and moved it.  Paul did something to it on the roof and then they put it back.  I guess it was a success.

Paul (Wenzel) and Sarah were able to come to the cabin for a sort of weekend (Sunday through Tuesday).  They brought Sophie with them and we all had a good time.  Tanner (the local deer) came to visit again.  He must have left the little lady back at home.  He bonded with Peter for a little while after showing some interest in his breakfast.  We also made it to the sand bar for some fun in the sun and water.  Everyone, including the dogs, had a good time splashing around.

Peter went in for his 13 month appointment with the doctor.  He’s doing great and everything is right on track.  He’s 22.5 pounds of fury.  Poor thing got two shots, one in each leg, though and wasn’t a fan of either.  Then he had to go to the lab and have his finger pricked for a blood draw.  That wasn’t much fun either.  Afterwards Peter got some quality time hanging out with mom, even though the lure of Sesame street is a big one.

I may be a bit tardy with this, but here is a brief rundown of the fireworks on display at the cabin this year.  I’ll post the full set on flickr.

(We love you uncle Neil)

Two comments…

Dustin and I have made it three years already.  Time has gone by fast!

Also, we have lots of wonderful pictures (mostly of Peter of course) that we’ll share very shortly.  We’re having some technical difficulties but don’t give up on us.  I promise they’ll come soon.

Wow, more than a month without an update. We’ll have to work on that.

When Annie and I arrived at the cabin, we were sure to inspect the new equipment.  Annie assured me she was thinking warm thoughts.

Sadly, we were not yet able to launch the craft.  The lake still had a bit too much ice on it.  Next time…

Saturday, we went over to Pede’s to help make some syrup.  The guys had assembled 65 gallons of sap at this point which would eventually make ~1.5 gallons of homemade maple syrup.  To get down to the final volume, the sap first had to be boiled and boiled and boiled over a wood fire.  Here, the pan is working on 5ish gallons.

All of us were tasked with important jobs.  Evil, Annie and I were forced to determine if the beer would be of a high enough quality for the ensuing year – a chore we did not take lightly.  Donna got to stoke the fire.

It’s hard work making syrup.

Unfortunately, Peter did not make the trip with us.  We thought it might be a bit chilly for him to be at the cabin at this time of year.  However, Jim and Sherry were nice enough to offer to watch him while we were away.

And next time, we’ll have pictures of the pontoon on the lake.  It’s going to be a fun year!

P.S. – After much discussion we came to the conclusion that the beer would be acceptable for consumption during the ensuing year.