The Many Faces of Tyler

Meet Tyler James

My newest nephew

Born January 22, 2011

Adored by all

A very happy babe

With very kissable cheeks

Couldn't you just eat him up?

Tea Time (Swanson Series, Part Three)

One of the girls' favorite activities at Gramma's house is having a tea party, complete with Great, Great, Great Grandma's china tea pot, with its stains from years of use. Of course, the "tea" that is enjoyed at these modern-day tea parties is really some form of juice, but when you hold up your pinky and talk very properly, it's nearly authentic.

Many concertos are composed by small hands right here.

Another favorite activity? Rummaging through Gramma's many totes of fabric to find the perfect piece for dress-up. Here Callie models an old dress, with a improvised veil.

You just never know what Ashleigh is going to come up with. She's sportin' a mascara mole to complete her "flapper" look.

Natalie's a vision of blue in her Indian sari-type dress. Looks like she has the model hand thing figured out as well.

Two Three peas in a pod...

What does little man Micah do during such girlie activities? He bonds with Papa of course. They putz in the garage, play trucks, and have their own party, without all the dainty foods and pinkies in the air, of course.

Of Boat Rides, Swimming, and Lawnmowers (Swanson Series, Part Two)

For months, my nephew Micah talked about "riding in Papa's boat." One day, Papa fulfilled Micah's dream. A boat ride on a beautiful day.

Gettin' ready to go!

Lifejacket? Check. Sunglasses? Check. Backwards hat? Check. One little boy bursting with anticipation? Absolutely.

"Can we go already, Papa?"

Bon Voyage!

Callie and Ashleigh waiting for their ride.

Here they come!

Bon Voyage take two.

After the boat ride, Micah talked non-stop about Papa's boat. First boat ride? Complete success.

After the boat ride, I took the girls to the lake for swimming. It was a hot, humid day--perfect for a cool down in the lake. 

Let the water fight begin!

Second only to Micah's love of the boat is his thrill of riding Papa's lawnmower. While he doesn't necessarily like the loud noise, once he is standing by Papa, hands on the steering wheel, all fear of the loudness is forgotten and complete joy takes its place. See?

Big boy driving all by himself. **

Natalie LOVING driving fast!

Ashleigh... eight years old and driving already.

Callie not to be outdone by her younger sister gave it a try also.

**No child was injured during the riding of the lawnmower. It was not even running.

Minnesota Logging Camp (Swanson Series, Part One)

I was able to spend a lot of time with my nieces and nephews this summer. I'm going to do a series of posts from our activities this summer. 

My parents and I took Callie, Ashleigh, Natalie, and Micah to the Forest History Center, an authentic 1900s logging camp. Costumed employees portrayed lumberjacks, camp cook, blacksmith, and clerk.

Accordian player in the bunkhouse

Camp Cook (incidentally, the highest paid person in the camp)

The camp horses--very hard workers

The Blacksmith

The Clerk

The girls were impressed with the checker game.

One tired boy, after he woke up from a nap on Papa's shoulder.

All winter, the lumberjacks would cut the trees and haul them to the river. They were marked (shown below) to record the length, estimated board feet, and logging camp from which it originated, to ensure the right logging camp was credited for the logs.

When spring arrived, log drivers would float the logs down river to the sawmill. They would get their meals from the river wanigan during the log drive. After visiting the wanigan, the girls posed for a picture.

We visited the 1930s Forest Service patrolman's cabin. Nearby is a lookout tower where rangers would spot forest fires.

Callie, Ashleigh, Mom, and I started the long trek up the lookout tower. Halfway up, Ashleigh got a little scared of heights, so I turned back with her. Callie and Mom made it all the way to the top, and Callie even got a certificate of achievement!

The old fire engine was a hit!

Back in the visitor's center, Callie explored a logging truck.

Ashleigh trying her hand at the sawmill.

Natalie in a machine much bigger than her!

This tree was large enough for Micah to walk through.

The Forest History Center is great fun for everyone. If you're ever in the area, you should check it out!