up nort - we return

4th of July on a lake, on a boat, watching fireworks, catching fish - I think that's the life!

It was different than we imagined, and different than before for Joel. The cousins are growing up, most are married, and several have small children. The-drinking-all-day-on-a-fishing-boat days are over. There is still a lot of fishing and card playing - and still a few drinks. But at the end of the night, there were only 3 left around the fire (making s'mores for the rest who were card playing in the house). It was quiet and really nice. We slept a bunch, and ate a bunch (this particular family is oh-so health concious!) The joke with the Hintz's is that if it's fried in canola oil or has some sort of nuts or fruit in it, then it is healthy. Therefore, oatmeal raising cookies and white chocolate nut cookies, are healthy. Caramel bun breakfast with nuts is healthy - and chips fried in canola oil are healthy.

It didn't help my diet much - but it was very tasty!

Brinley's presence was an absolute joy for me - she is precious and smiley and barely ever fussy!

The best times for me were going fishing as the sun was setting - there was always a boat full, the view was stunning, and the conversation jovial. If not for the insane amount of bugs - it was perfect.

And it continues...

This weekend we have more fun plans. Tonight, we get drinks with Dan - who we haven't spent time with in awhile - at one of my new favorite places, Red and White. Saturday we are meeting my parents in downtown Milwaukee to go to the Urban Farmer's Market and then have lunch on the lakefront. After that we're heading to Oshkosh for Lifest and Third Day - Joel won us free day passes. We're hoping to connect with a few people (possibly Mike or Ashley) - and enjoy a night out!