"Gamma" and "Papa"

My parents came out to visit a couple of weeks ago.  My dad was here for just one day to help us finish our shed/guest room and then he went on a fishing trip with a friend while my mom stayed here for the week.  As usual, Kai had a great time going on lots of adventures with Grandma and even learned how to say "Gamma" instead of the usual "Nana".

Late night install of our new pecan wood flooring.  I love it!  And, it only took the guys about an hour to put it in.

Finishing off the trim.



Lounging in the pool with snacks and a drink.  It doesn't get much better!

At Riley Creek with Grandma.

We had the whole beach all to ourselves!

Even with a lovely lake to enjoy, Kai preferred the mudpuddle :)



Sick

I've heard a lot of parents say that although it's sad to see your child sick, it's rather nice at the same time, because it means you get lots of cuddles :)  Up until recently, Kai has been really healthy.  He had a few colds this past winter, and although they resulted in grouchiness, they never resulted in decreased energy.  Ha!  But, in June he got his first fever.  I immediately knew he was sick when one morning he only wanted to be held, and then 30 minutes later fell asleep in my arms.  Unheard of!  This is our baby who from the age of 4 weeks old wouldn't fall asleep in our arms, no matter how hard we tried!  Anyways, that fever wasn't very high and only lasted for a few hours.  But, a few weeks later (at our family reunion), Kai got sick again.  This time it was pretty bad (for him anyways).  For a couple of days he had a fever of 103 and only wanted to lie on the couch with us and read books, watch movies or sleep.  It was sad, but oh so nice at the same time!  Sadly though, once the worst of it was over, he became one little grouchy boy.  He would try his best to be active and play, and then just collapse on the floor crying.  Sad :(  Anyways, as he would say, he's "all be'er" now and although I miss my cuddles with him, I'm glad he's better too.

Daddy loved all of the cuddle/napping time too :)

Week o' Lake

Last week the whole Budensiek clan (well, just the immediate ones) made the long trek to Sandpoint to join us for a week at the lake.  Bryon's parents rented a beautiful house near Camp Bay and we got to enjoy the luxury of living on the water for a whole seven days.  It was wonderful, and the weather was perfect.  What more could we ask for?  We swam, lounged, napped, boated (thanks to friends who lent us their wonderful boat!), attempted to wakeboard, tubed, ate, hiked, explored and enjoyed just being together.  Sadly, the week ended with Kai getting sick, but at least it didn't happen sooner.  Now we're home again, tanned and tired, but we have lots of good memories of time spent with family.

Everyone got to spend a day with us in Sandpoint before going out to the lake house.  Here's Bryon on his childhood tractor with the boys :)

The boys decided to go swimming in their clothes while the men played ladder golf.

Sunday afternoon - on our way!

View from the lake house.

Oh how I love breakfasts on the deck.

An early morning fishing trip off the dock in their pj's.

Friends boated out to spend the 4th of July with us.

"Blue Steel"

"King Kool" was put to good use.  It brought back good memories of all the time I spent in this same position during the summer of '09 when I was hugely pregnant and extremely hot.

The "Party Craft" or "Relaxation Station" or "Polar Paradise".  Our raft got many names as the week went by.

Kai wasn't a huge fan of the boat at first, especially when his mommy or daddy were flying around behind it on a tube or wakeboard :)

Bryon and Dale bite the dust.

Lisa and me.  Notice how I left my sunglasses on so that I wouldn't get purposefully tipped into the lake...just kidding, it wasn't on purpose, but it did work :)

Our house, with Bryon getting ready for his first attempt at wakeboarding.



This is me.  Let's just say that my first attempt at wakeboarding resulted in A LOT of falling :)  It was really fun though to learn something new.

Day 2 = more success.

Lisa!

Dale

Bryon

Jenni rocked the water skis.

For me, waterskiing brought back great memories of my childhood at Homewood.

Dad

Our trusty drivers.

Headed out for a hike along the lake.

Kai had the best seat of all.

Kai was always begging snacks off of people, despite having many enormous meals and snacks himself :)

Ditto!

Cousins.  I love these two!  And, I love that Jenni captured this picture of them both sitting still and looking at the camera.  It's a miracle!

Our newest little niece - Anna Sue.  She is adorable.

Ahhh, the bliss of sitting in the sun, reading and enjoying beautiful views.  I started a fascinating book this week, Little Daughter by Zoya Phan.

The tub was broken, so Kai had baths in the sink.  Fun times!

Kids dinner out at 41 South while Gramma and Papa babysat.  Yay!

Our beach baby.

Anything he could pick up off the beach, he would throw into the lake.  This resulted in endless entertainment.

Dancing and jumping in the waves is also fun!

Our attempt at a family photo, although by this time (Saturday night), Kai was feverish and sick.

The fam.

Lisa's brilliant suggestion:  silly faces to help Kai's sick/crying face blend in :)

What a beautiful family!

My poor little sick guy.  At least he didn't get sick until near the end of the week.