One Last "Hurrah!"

In Minnesota, it often seems as though Labor Day Weekend marks the official end of summer.  With back-to-school the end is even more set in stone with the busyness of football season and BTS activities for both of the big kids.  So it's a rare thing to have the opportunity to extend that summer and enjoy another getaway.  But this year, we did just that. 

About 12 years ago we purchased a time share up north in hopes that we would take more family vacations and see different parts of the United States or world in general.  When we purchased it, we did not yet have any kids in school, so we didn't think to much about the week we bought.  Though our intentions were to 'bank and trade' most of our weeks to other places anyway, we still wanted the option to enjoy our home resort every now and then.  But in those 12 years, we have only spent 1 week at our home resort, until now.  Unfortunately I forgot to 'bank' it when we were in the midst of our adoption journey to Khloe.  I tried at the last minute to sell it at a steal of price (just 1/2 of our maintenance fees) but it was just too short of notice, so we decided rather than losing it, to at least enjoy the weekend up north with our kids.  So after school, we packed up and drove north to our timeshare.  The last time we were there, Breanna was in 2nd grade ...she is now a junior!  We enjoyed a fun filled weekend as a family, and my brother Jeremy and his kids even drove up to join us one afternoon (his wife, Missy, was at a woman's retreat, so she couldn't be there.)  Anyway, it turned out to be a beautiful and fun weekend, and it was hard to return back home after just a few days.  I could've stayed up there alone with Khloe, but it just would not have been the same without the rest of our crew, so late Sunday afternoon, we headed back home. 

We are still thinking about selling our timeshare as a whole, to help raise money to go back to China one day, as Khloe is still asking for a little sister, so if anyone is interested, or you know someone who may be, please let me know ...I have many photos I can send of the unit itself!

In the meantime, here are the photos from our fun weekend getaway...

 Our unit is located on the Marina
and looks out towards Lake Mille Lacs.  

This is a view of our townhome unit from across the marina.  

(*we are the second roof-line in from the left)

 Dawson and Khloe enjoying a bowl of popcorn 

and a movie before heading off to bed.

 Khloe sporting her new Lilly P. swimsuit that she received as a coming home gift from a special friend, (one of her former NDFH sponsors,)  Melissa ...she finally grew into it! :)

Khloe contemplating jumping in the pool
...the water felt a little cold!

A quick pose by the pool with the cousins!

(Lexie, Isaiah, Zachary and Khloe)

 My hot hubby and my handsome son!!

My beautiful girlies, "chillaxin" by the pool! :)

 My brother Jeremy, taking his youngest son, Isaiah for a swim.

 My beautiful Khloe!

 My beautiful Breanna!

My handsome Dawson!

Enjoying some bubbles in the hot tub.

Our last evening before heading home.  

The kids posing by the big walleye fish in Garrison.

Khloe relaxing on the sofa before heading up to bed.

Even though the weekend seemed to fly by, we sure enjoyed our time up north and just wish we could've stayed a little longer.  But back to school, work and reality!! ;)  Thank you Lord for this time of refreshing and one last "hurrah" to top of our summer season!   We enjoyed every minute together as a family!!