more fun in bayfield

As mentioned yesterday, we visited everyone's favorite playground after picking apples. Here are a few of the activities captured forever in pixels.

Logan on top of the tire monster.



Owen climbs the wall to the big slide.



Logan learned how to do the zip line this visit.



This climbing tree always provides good photo opportunities.

apple picking

Sunday morning we drove to Bayfield to go apple picking. It was an absolutely beautiful fall day and we found a nice kid-friendly orchard just on the edge of town. After picking 3.5 bushels we went to the kid's favorite playground by the marina for a picnic lunch, and then visited the ice cream shop. On the way out of town we stopped at another orchard to try their famous apple cider donuts.



The trees were loaded so it didn't take long to fill a basket.



Owen picks his first apple.



Owen samples the product to help determine what variety to buy.

munger trail madness

Friday afternoon Logan had an early release day from school so Tracy packed up the boys and the bikes and headed to the Munger Trail. Logan enjoyed riding his bike farther than what we do around the neighborhood and Owen really likes riding in the trailer.



Of course any decent bike ride ends up at the playground for adventures on the swings, slides, and monkey bars.

young artist at work

On the suggestion of several of my favorite blogs, we are exploring new media for our art. Yesterday, Owen tried out the new watercolor crayons. He is familiar with using crayons and watercolors so he had no trouble putting the two skills together to create a new piece for display on the refrigerator.

stuck inside duluth with the wurlitzer blues again

Well, I finally put the Wurlitzer organ on Freecycle. When we acquired a piano one year ago, I promised to get rid of the organ to free up space in our over-crowded living room. After managing to procrastinate all these many months, I finally have come to terms with letting it go. Such a momentous occasion inspired a family jam.

At Logan's request, the nylon-stringed Ovation made an appearance.



Logan plays the energy chimes.



Everyone took a turn on the thumb piano.

me cook with fire

Question: Is a camping trip really complete without smores?



Answer: Owen says, "No it is not".



We also broke out the classic pie irons to make blueberry pies.

world of watercraft

Boats, boats, and more boats. In addition to eating lunch on the pontoon every day, we also went sailing, canoeing, and kayaking.

Tony searches for the BWCA.



Grandpa takes the big sail boat out for a spin.



A quick canoe ride out to the island and back.



Captain Logan takes his pontoon driving job very seriously. He self-appointed himself "Captain Sternface".



Kayte enjoys riding on the pontoon.



Captain Owen also takes his job seriously but since he can't see over the wheel, he relies more heavily on his navigator.

life at gust lake

We spent a nice 4-day weekend at Gust Lake over Labor Day. The weather was perfect but the bugs were a little worse than expected. Fun was had by all.

The family sleeping quarters.



Observing caterpillars in our makeshift terrarium.



Playing a game of king's corners down by the lake.



Driving the Super Tryke to the neighbor's well.



Kicked back and relaxed.



Getting crafty down by the water.



Logan recently removed his training wheels and took the opportunity to ride up and down the road endlessly.



Reading books with Owen.



Sitting around the fire in the evening.

back to school

It's hard to believe it but we have a first-grader in our midst. We attended an open house last night to meet his teacher and see the new classroom. This morning he took his new backpack, lunch box, and milk money, hopped on the bus and attended his first full day of school. Afterwards, when asked how his day went, Logan replied "Excellent".

Obligatory photo to document the first day of school.



Riding the bus in the morning.



Special celebratory treat after the long day.



Two minutes later.