Beckett's 3rd Birthday Party

Sunday Beckett hosted friends and family to celebrate his third birthday.  It was sunny and hot so water play ruled...



Here's Frank doing what every responsible father would do...throwing the birthday boy in the water.



Delaney decided the water table was the place to be.



Beckett led the hose action.




Amongst all the chaos Delaney stays focused.




Belly flop competition




Beckett's favorite critter...T-Rex




The kids decided to eat the tail first




Three candles...no problemo!




The "old(er) folks" hung out in the shade and rockers on the front porch




When it was time to leave Delaney had a big smile for Great Grandma



Camping at Clear Lake

We bought the trailer in 2011 and spent every weekend in it from May until September as the house was being built, but we kept it parked by the far garage the whole time.  In 2012 we didn't use the trailer at all as we settled in, landscaped, had two grandkids arrive, celebrated my Mom's 90th...plus I was still working full time.

So, this week we went on our first real camping trip.  It was pretty much a trial run, we went to Clear Lake, a state forest campground only about 20 miles from home.  Beautiful park, we only stayed one night but had a great time.  Looking forward to many more trips, especially with the grandkids!

P.S.  Baily is a great camper.



All packed up and ready to roll



Our campsite, right behind down a bank is the lake.



Baily loved spashing in the water, a new experience.




A dog's life



The back half of the trailer, the big rear window is probably the main reason we chose this model.



Queen size bed in the front.




Playing cards over drinks at 5.




Grilled brats for dinner




Getting the fire started




Made pudgy pies over the fire; Macy used cherry pie filling...they were great




Nothing like a good belly rub next to the campfire to end the day.



Square Foot Garden Update

This year's garden is doing much better, last year we didn't even have it planted until about now because of everything else going on.  That said even this year we planted late since there was snow on the ground into early May.  Gardening Up North provides some unique challenges, and we're learning more and more about growing in this climate zone.



Added two beds this year, one is planted solely with asparagus.  The wire baskets keep the critters away.




The peppers were all started from seed by Scott.  We brought them back from our visit in early May.




Macy has done a good job of succesion planting which hopefully will extend the eating season.



Rain Day Relaxing



Keeping the quilt flat?



2013 Pokegama Eagle Nest

This year eagles are nesting on the island you pass on the left as you head into the main part of the lake, across from "Chosa's Point".  The nest had been under construction the previous two years; this is the first year that it was actually used.  As far as we can tell there are two young eagles, and as you can see they are getting large.  The adult has a large fish.

Wisconsin Eagle Survey

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources just published the Bald Eagle nesting survey for 2012.  Nearly every county in the state now has at least one nesting pair.  Vilas county, where we live, has the most, 143 nesting pairs.  The first survey was in 1973 (the year the cottage was built), and back then the entire state of Wisconsin had only 108 nesting pairs.  Pretty amazing recovery, not only in Wisconsin, but across much of the U.S.

First Boat Ride

Catching up on some postings.  Here's some pics of Baily's first boat ride.  It was also the first boat ride of the season...Karyl and Doug were here and got to share Baily's "special" moment.  He kept looking for the galley!

Here's a bonus shot...Baily's first bird walk at Powell Marsh.

I know, I know, this could get old really fast.  Baily's a puppy, everything is a first.