Daddy-daughter kayaking

A Daddy-daughter camping trip just hasn't been working out with schedules this summer, but I knew they were really excited to go paddling in a place "less-bumpy" than the Bois-Brule River in Wisconsin. L needed a better association with the sport.

We rented a tandem kayak with a child-sized seat in the middle and set out to explore the lake near home. We saw geese, gulls, cormorants, and mergansers on the water and circled an island. After investigating a small inlet, we turned around and could see the spire of the LDS temple beyond the trees over the port bow. Look in the photo just above A's black cap.

We had a very pleasant time on the lake and hope to get out more often.

Labor Day weekend fun

The Saturday before Labor Day we finally set up a makeshift slip and slide the kids had been requesting. Ours was basically a huge tarp we once had manure delivered on in our driveway (we didn't remind the kids until they were done sliding). Anna sat at the top of our little backyard hill in command of the hose while we slid down our lumpy backyard. It was fun and our setup worked out well. (Don't pay any attention to our stunt doubles atop the hill.)





































On Labor Day we took a short drive to the hills to visit a couple of apple orchards which celebrated the opening of their season with crafts and a petting zoo. Papa Peine should be excited to see the tractor the kids took turns "driving".
The drive was beautiful among the hillside farms and orchards. I am excited to go back when the apples have ripened for some freshly-pressed apple cider - maybe we'll find an orchard of our own to tend someday in the future.

Lunch with Dan

I figured this post fits with the theme of my blog pretty well - that of family relationships.

I was in the bay area for work this past Friday, so I met up with my brother, Dan, who works in San Francisco. Not having been there since I was a kid, it was exciting to recognize some of the buildings and architecture I had seen from the passenger window as a child while crossing over the bridge into SF.

I enjoyed walking to lunch with Dan from his office, and visiting over spicy Thai curry - Dan didn't seem as affected by the spice even though he ordered a hotter version. It's good to hear that his family is doing well and adjusting to their recent move to California.

The poor cropping on the photo was left to show the bridge above Dan's office in the reflection on the glass. Maybe next time I will consider a more lovely background of the bay instead.

Kayak Date

Most of my posts show activities involving my children. That is important, but my relationship with my wife is of even greater importance.

A couple of weekends ago, Anna and I went for a paddle on the lake near our home. I had been wanting to get out on this lake for some time, so we rented a pair of sit-on-top kayaks and spent some time together while a good friend watched the kids. The weather was pleasant with a bit of a breeze pushing sailboats around us.

It was fun to be outside having uninterrupted conversations with my dear friend. Experiences like this remind me how much I love and appreciate Anna - and that I just like to be with her.