More Fishing

Sunday morning we headed to Church together and enjoyed Newk's for lunch.

 We couldn't make up our minds for after but decided on some more fishing. Jackson was still set on catching a fish he could keep and eat. We tried a different park today.

It was a beautiful day! I took in every minute of the sun and watching Jackson fish. 

Jackson and Papa caught two small sunfish. We weren't able to keep them, but we did feed one to a big white Herring. Jackson thought that was just as cool!

Brian hooked a catfish and let Jackson help reel it in. 

We caught one we could keep!!

Jackson was completely entertained with casting, helping reel in the fish, and playing on the big rocks. 

Good thing I like fishing because I know we will be doing this a lot as our boys grow up!



Time Together

This week has flown by!

 

Jackson has enjoyed playing with Papa and Grandma and going to preschool a little late and leaving early. We have been enjoying a lot of time outside swimming and at the park. We are also being blessed by a clean house, dinner, and laundry and yard work being done for us!

One trip to Menchies after Jackson's baseball practice

Brian and I enjoyed a date day on Saturday. We enjoyed shopping and lunch out together!

  While we were gone, Papa took Jackson fishing. They dug up their own worms.

 Not much luck.

 Caught one little fish, but not big enough to keep.

Jackson was upset because he wanted to eat fish for lunch. So, they took him to Long John Silver. Ha!

WI Trip Day 1

Thursday morning we played at the park with Grandma Elly and Katelyn. Garrison still had school!

Then, we decided to go out on the lake with Papa Mel. Best decision of the whole trip!

The weather was absolutely perfect! It was sunny, warm, and the lake was calm.

Katelyn and my mom came along for the ride too. 

The boys fished while the girls soaked up the sun. Jackson helped Papa reel one in!

He loves fishing!

Like father like son! I wonder where Brian got the fishing genes from?!?:)

Brian caught a few nice walleyes.

Since the lake was so calm, we thought we should let Jackson try tubing. He couldn't get in the water fast enough. He was so excited!

He went on with Brian first. He kept saying, "Faster, Daddy, faster!" Mel even cut in and out of the waves. He rode for a long time!

Next up was me! So fun riding with my boy!

Mom was brave enough to let Katelyn go. This girl has no fear. She didn't hang on at all and flapped her arms with glee the whole time! I think that made her week!

3 generations of fishermen

Jackson and Katelyn went back to take naps and Brian and his dad kept fishing. They caught 10 or more walleyes.

That evening we had a bonfire. My parents have a giant backyard with a nice fire pit area. Jason, Traci, Leo, Lily, Kayla, Ian, Mel and Sharon came over.

 We roasted marshmallow and ate smore's. The kids also played in the sandbox.

Beautiful and fun day/evening in Fond du Lac!

Randoms From the S's Visit

The boys (and Lily) went fishing one day while the girls went shopping.

My handsome fisherman.

 Jackson with a catch

 Leo and Lily with Papa

 Lots of fun playing at the park together

 We were also able to go out to eat a couple of time with everyone. Willies was a hit because the kids could play in the sandbox while waiting. Jason tried craw fish for the first time and Mel thought he was out on the boat!

 Jackson was lucky enough to go with them to the Zoo while Daddy and Mommy worked. It was a beautiful day in the low 80's, but the Wisconsin folk thought it was too hot!

 Jackson served as their tour guide and let them know where to go.

 Lily cracks me up! She has no fear. She likes all kinds of insect and spiders. She was carrying a beetle around one night and wanted to hold a gecko. She couldn't get enough of it crawling on her leg.

The last night they were here we went to the Splash Pad.

Of course Lily loved it!

 It looks like Leo did too!

 And Jackson was thrilled to be back!

Not sure why we didn't go sooner.

Thanks for coming to visit and play Jason, Traci, Leo, and Lily.

 We hope you have cooled off!

The Trip There and Back

We left Wednesday afternoon as soon as I got home from school. Brian was in the driver's seat, and Jackson and I were set up in the backseat. Jackson was well stocked with movies and games on the iPad, while I was content to reread The Hunger Games.

We stopped late Wednesday night in Paul's Valley, OK and crashed right away. In the morning, Jackson and Brian went swimming, and we ate breakfast at the hotel before leaving. By 3 o'clock we were there and even ended up beating Brian's parents. Their is a park in Osborn that we let Jackson play at before heading into Alton.

He had a bunch of energy to run off!

Once we made it back to Brian's grandpa's house, we showered and got ready for the wake. After Jackson saw Grandpa Wayne's body he asked us "Is this Heaven?" Brian told him Grandpa Wayne went to Heaven and well he was there! Jackson spent a majority of the time exploring outside. He loved the big sprayer that kept going by.

Friday was the funeral. Overall, Jackson did a tremendous job. He got restless at times, but really was a good boy.
Pretzels, goldfish, diggers, dump trucks, iPad, and outside helped entertain him some.

A sweet moment walking with Papa Mel at the burial site.

After a long nap for Jackson, we headed out to the fishing hole. A pond about 15 miles from the house in the middle of the hills and plains of Kansas with cows roaming the pastures a mile away from us. 

It didn't take long before Jackson got his first fish.

Nothing Brian rather be doing than fishing with his boy!

Big boy trying to do it all by himself.

I couldn't get over how beautiful of a night it was. The sky was gorgeous and the sunset was breathtaking. God was showing his mighty works all around us!

I ended up fishing a little bit too and even caught a couple on my own!

Brian would love to have this pond in our backyard.



He stayed after us to get in a few more casts.

We left late Saturday morning after breakfast with everyone, and then drove 12.5 hours and pulled in our driveway late that night. Jackson used the bathroom more times than I can count. One time Brian took him in to use the bathroom and the toilet was dirty. Brain told him it was just old and fine to use. Jackson looked at him and asked, "Is it going to die and go to Heaven." I think he is a little confused about dying and Heaven. Ha!

Alton,

You always force me to slow down and relax.

You hold a lot of Hartzler memories. If I never come back, thank you for opening your arms to me and allowing me to experience your beauty all around.

Love, Me