Lair of the Bear 2014

We headed back up to the Camp Blue this summer for fun in the sun (and rain) with friends and family.  It was Elsa's fifth year and Liam's second year at the Lair.  Everyday we made it to the pool - Elsa and Liam loved the pool and both jumped off the diving board this year.

 After swimming, they were often both very tired and cold.

 We went for walks by the creek,

had an adventure,

and ended up at Pinecrest lake.

 Elsa loved dirt!

 The kids loved playing in the hammock,

and playing hide and seek. Close your eyes and count to ten!

 
Elsa had fun with Mackenzie again.

 Check them out 2 years ago!

Elsa was very excited to be on stage in the talent show with her Kub Korral friends.  See this video of her silly dancing to the Pharrell Williams song Happy!  She was very happy.

Elsa and Liam also got to spend time watching Arne and me play volleyball. Here they are with Daddy on the sidelines.

 At night I read them stories in bed.  Elsa was a great sleeper. 

 It was a wonderful week at the Lair.

Elsa's Fourth Birthday

Our girl is four.

Her birthday started like most Saturdays, with a swim lesson

In the afternoon we had a birthday party in the park, like previous years. New for this year was a balloon guy. We'd seen him at Cat and Lee's hundred day party for Iso. He was great. His patience with the demands from the kids was impressive. The girls all asked for princesses.

He made a crown for Elsa:

Swords for the boys: 

There was cake, of course. Candles were lit and blown out. 

I made a video of the birthday

Elsa's Fourth Birthday from Arne Stokstad on Vimeo.

Finally after the party we did a family photo. After taking about twenty, we took one more and it was the best:

Michigan 2014

Last week we headed out to Michigan for a wonderful week of family time and exploration.

The flights over were great, mostly because the kids slept on the flights.  When we arrived in East Lansing, the cousins were there to great us at the airport. We then went to Arne's brother Paul's house for family fun time.  This involved a lot of eating together. We ate out:

And we ate at home:

Paula was great at keeping us filled up with yummy foods.  Everyone went out on walks and bikes into town:

 

We had a bus trip to go to Impression 5, a wonderful kid's play space. Liam and Elsa both had a lot of fun.

 

Liam enjoyed exploring the house, pulling plugs, climbing chairs and playing the piano. You also often found him walking down the path between the houses.

 

Both kids loved the Treehouse.  It was a bit scary to see Liam climb the ladder.

It was fun to watch him and Sonja water play.

After some great days in East Lansing, we headed north, to Mackinac Island, for a few days of old fashioned fun and 4th of July Spirit.  The great part of the island was no cars, only bikes and carriage rides.

The kids enjoyed running around on the big lawn.

We had a great meal by the water, all the Stokstad/Nisewaner/Winkes.

Thursday night there was a concert at the local park.  We had a fun picnic.

 

 

Friday morning we had a family breakfast and celebrated Julie's birthday.  Elsa loved all the ribbons.

Stokstad boys

Fourth of July night we headed out to Fort Mackinac for an American picnic.  It was a perfect way to enjoy the Fourth and each other.

 

 

 

After 3 great nights on the island, we headed back to Lansing. It was sad to leave Michigan and we are looking forward to seeing the cousins again soon!