Weekend in Manson

The girls had been asking about swimming and/or going to a beach. Manson checked all those boxes, and gave us a good excuse to go visit. When we were there for the 4th of July, it was hard to do anything because of all the tourists and crowding at the lake. So, we saw that Stutzmans put Gpa on the schedule for the house down on the lake, so we thought that would be a good weekend to go over. 

When we were over for the 4th, it was really windy every night, so Cambri asked if we could bring a kite the next time we came over. Costco had a big one on clearance, so I snagged it next time I was there and made sure to bring it over for this trip.

It took a little while to get it up in the air, and I got a little frustrated with it and may have broken the handle in that frustration, but it eventually got airborne.

Each kid took a turn holding onto what was left of the handle.

They all thought it was pretty cool.

The girls had also asked to pick some apples, and so Uncle Doug said he had a few summer apples we could pick in order to make some apple sauce. He said it was only accessible by quad, so we all piled into his, and he drove us up. Once I realized where he had taken us, I knew there was a road three rows away. So, we easily could've driven up there and be closer than where he parked and made us walk from. 

Anyway, the kids took turns climbing the tree and picking the good apples.

Later on, in spite of the wind, we headed down to the lake so the kids could play in the sand.

I didn't realize the plan was only to play in the sand, so was surprised when Emily asked why I brought my shorts. A little wind wasn't going to stop me or the girls.

Dark clouds were off in the distance and making their way towards us, so we did end up having limited time, but the kids took full advantage of it.

For dinner Gma wanted to make Swedish meatballs in a cream sauce with homemade fettucine with her new pasta cutter.

The kids ate it up like they hadn't eaten all day. Especially Cambri, she had like three helpings.

After the kids woke up in the morning, we made a donut run for breakfast.

After finding where Gma stashed the applesauce maker, Gpa set it up and took all the apples we picked the day before and got to saucing.

Cambri was eager to be involved, and helped put the apples in the boiling water.

Hadley also got involved.

Cambri then cranked the handle while I pressed the apples down.

Later on, it was time to head back down to the lake. It was a lot sunnier and warmer this time, but there was still tons of wind.

Harlow needed a quick break, but would soon be back at it.

Crewe boy got pretty sandy, and wasn't a fan when the water came up and got him wet.

Rissa showed up with her kids, and they brought their floating mat that Hadley enjoyed jumping on and then trying to surf. 

We built some castles, which were then immediately destroyed. Crewe enjoyed filling the pails with sand and then dumping it into another bucket.

One of the fun things about a trip like this is watching the cousins bond. Harlow and Luca enjoyed having Alexa play music. 

Hadley and Leo bonded over Among Us.

And Crewe and Sofia bonded over their toys.

They also enjoyed laying on the stairs.

After a busy and eventful day, Harlow asked to get her pajamas on and went straight for her sleeping bag where she fell asleep right away.

Another successful trip in the books. Now, time to get ready for the kids to go back to school.