July 19. 2010 - Black River Lodge, fabulous second day

Start to the second day at Black River, Colin and head down to the river before everyone else awakes for some early morning tadpole searching.

Next we wait to hear the breakfast bell ringing from the riverbank to tell us to head up to the dining hall.

Amy and Colin

Colin and his buddy Big Jim (Amy's Dad)

After breakfast, the kids head down for 'Playground' which is arts and crafts at the pavilion picnic table. The kids make all sorts of fun things, which get held up and shown in the dining hall at lunch for all to see the creations!

Colin makes a necklace 'Colin (with a heart in between) Mama' for us to share, super cute!

After dinner, the kids can go on a "train ride" that is tractor pulled through a field on the property!

Mini golf after the train ride! Colin somehow WINS the game!

Colin and Kris enjoy some cool ice cream treats after their mini golf game, that MO sun in late July was sure hot!

After dinner Colin and Mama time down in the river again, splashing around and getting comfortable in the water!

Colin loving his time at BRL!

July 18, 2010 - arrival at Black River Lodge

The now annual trek down to near Lesterville, MO to the one and only Black River Lodge... a throw back to simplicity, nature and making memories with cherished family and friends.

We are fortunate to join my dear friend Amy's family for this adventure and this summer was Colin's second experience at the Lodge. It was amazing to explore everything through his eyes, the river, the cabin, activities and dining hall.

We upgraded this year to a shared cabin with Amy and her boyfriend Kris (officially titled 'The Diver' by Colin) and we had officially moved in within an hour of arrival... including large inflatable lizard.

Cabins are named different birds...

Colin tried out all of the floating devises before we actually took them down to the river

The throwback kids playground is always a tremendous hit

Afternoon slide in the hot MO July sun

The end of day one at Black River Lodge... and Colin insisted on "camping" on the floor for the first night, tuckered out from a long first day of BRL memories.

July 14, 2010 - professional t-ball

With the t-ball season winding down, the team has really improved (not all jumping into a pile together to try to catch the ball, running the right way around the bases, etc :)

Colin practicing his swing!

Waving from the lineup

July 11, 2010 - family dinner with friends

We had friends over for a family dinner and Colin had a blast with his friends Cole and Siena!

Silly bands!!!!!

July 4, 2010 - Whitefish Bay 4th of July Parade

We thoroughly enjoyed our first year staying in the Bay for the 4th of July weekend! We walked down to our friend Mary Beth's house who has perfect view to the village parade start from her front yard. Many good friends, a parade and sunny hot 4th of July day!

MB and Colin watching the parade / the coolest parade floats... Jr.High indie rock bands

Colin cooling everyone down with his water gun / anticipating the parade!

July 3, 2010 - holiday at the lake

Day well spent at the lake! Colin and Mama headed to our friends Jay and Blake's lake house for some fun in the sun and water!

The walk down Locust Lane to the lake / Colin playing baseball with Marissa and Wiley

Emerson and Bailor being sea monsters / Jay pulling Colin around the lake

Colin observing Bailor's fishing skills

July 2, 2010 - Super Colin!

SUPER COLIN TO THE RESCUE!

July 2, 2010 - planting the garden

Papa made us an awesome raised garden bed and we tested it out this late summer, for our gardening skill level as well as testing what the neighborhood bunnies like to munch on!

July 29, 2010 - baseball with Papa

Practicing baseball in the backyard with Papa learning some schematics of the game, working on Colin's pitching arm. Then Papa was able to see one of Colin's t-ball games to watch him in action!

June 26, 2010 - Daddy and Melinda's wedding in Sioux City

Colin had the important title of ring bearer in Daddy and Melinda's wedding this weekend held in Sioux City, IA where Melinda's family is located. It was a beautiful weekend and wedding, and wonderful for us to get to know Melinda's family better and see a lot of Craig's family and friends!

Colin had a lot of duties and hammed up his new audience of friends to the fullest (rehearsal dinner deemed himself the new title Super Cheetah due to his super cool orange polka dot tie :)

Rehearsal dinner munching on bread / in his new Buzz Lightyear sleeping bag from Mette!

Getting all suited up for the big day / practicing walking down the aisle

Picture with his cousins: Ryan, Matt and Lizzy / Mama and Colin before his big ring bearer debut!

Colin walking down the aisle during the ceremony (Cally the flower girl following)

Mama and Colin at the wedding

Colin ready to throw his rose petals! / The happy couple leaves the church!

All in all a fabulous weekend, Colin's favorite adventures besides his ring bearer duties were going fishing with Big Jim (Melinda's dad) and his TWO trips that he got to take to McD's over the long weekend. Now he's asking for more weddings to get more happy meals, go figure!