Summer Is Well Underway!

I took this picture a couple of weeks ago. My little strawberry patch, after a lot of research and work, is finally starting to produce some fruit.

Fresh picked strawberries are sooooo much better than store-bought.

We have recently returned from our week at Stuart and Emilie's camp on Shadow Lake.

Wayne, who will be a 9th grader in the fall, is taking a summer 10th grade honors level geometry class. He has to be at Lake Region at 8:00 a.m. three days a week. It really cut into that early morning fishing he likes to do, but we did manage to get out in the canoe for one early morning fishing expedition.

He also had a couple of baseball games while we were staying at the lake.

Playing 3rd base.

When Wayne was in the minor and major leagues, he liked to do some pitching. In this older, Babe Ruth League, he hasn't been able to get as much experience. In Saturday morning's game he was given a chance to pitch once again. After warming up, his teammates with approach with some good luck "fist bumps."

He did a great job and threw a lot of strikes. The next day, he said his arm was sore.

It was a hot day for a baseball game. Afterwards, Heather and I went canoeing and fishing.

It wasn't long before we saw Edwin and Elijah paddle up in the new paddle boat.

And Cole came out in the kayak.

A couple of Wayne's teammates came over after the game. That's Mitchel in the canoe with Wayne, below.

Asom caught a fish that was too little to keep.

Heather and Chantel. Chantel is Mitchel's sister. She is a couple years ahead of Heather in school, but they are softball teammates, so they know each other fairly well.

Roasting marshmallows.

One day, Heather's friend, Kelby, came over.

A dove nesting on the porch kept a nervous and watchful eye on our comings and goings.

Cole went for a run almost every day.

Wayne did a lot of fishing.

And remember those strawberries? At one point we had plenty to make strawberry shortcake.

Cole even got interested in fishing.

He is wearing contacts now and is very handsome.

I'm not sure anyone has ever done homework on this picnic table before.

Cole tried a new recipe called Chocolate Lasagna. It was very good!

We saw a loon on a few rare moments, but this little family of geese was always around.

Heather did some fishing of the A-frame's dock.

Estelle and Lena came over. Wes took them for a ride.

They did a lot of exploring...

...catching tadpoles and bullfrogs.

One evening Julie, the girls, Joanie, and Martha came over for smores.

Cole's friend Zephyr came over.

Skipping rocks in the long evenings.

Tuesday Night Trail Series

Cole has decided to become a runner. It started recently with the after school running club with the phys. ed. teacher. When the school year ended, their teacher encouraged the kids to participate in the Tuesday Night 5k Trail Series at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center. Cole has also joined the Lake Region Youth Track Program which is organized by Frank D.

Below, Cole warms up for the race with a couple of other kids from school. Erica is a classmate (along with Cole going into 7th grade this fall) and her brother Caleb is going into 8th grade.

It's a pretty intimidating group of runners. Serious athletes, including Susan Dunklee, are among the participants.

Cole has been running fairly regularly during the week. He likes to use this fun running app I found for him. It's called "Zombies, Run!"  It uses GPS to track your pace, progress, and course all while sending you on missions that you listen to as you run. By keeping a certain pace or achieving a certain distance, you can rescue people within the mission or acquire food or tools that you need to survive the zombie attack. I know it probably sounds crazy, but anyone who is a fan of The Walking Dead will understand.  It's a game and running app rolled into one. It's very popular and Cole seems to enjoy it.

Here is Cole coming to the finish. I don't know what his time was yet. They don't really tell you but post it on their website the next day. You can click here if you want to track his progress. As I write this, they still have last weeks results posted and he missed last week's race so you won't find his name until later today (Wed). Points are awarded to participants and at the end of the series, there is a pizza party award night. 

Cole's friend Erica finishing. I didn't get a good picture of her brother, Caleb, at the finish line.

Cole and Caleb. Erica and Caleb are also on the LR Youth Track Team.

Mr. Auclair, their phys. ed teacher also participates in most of the trail races.

Cole is doing a great job. We are very proud of him and happy that he has found something to enjoy.