This Summer,I choose..fun, sun, water, play, family, friends!

I choose - sleeping until the summer sun wakes me up on Saturday, instead of an alarm, or getting out of bed to unload the dishwasher and start the day.

I choose - a day at the lake, instead of putting away a weeks worth of clean laundry.

I choose - salty potato chips, instead of a healthy vegetable choice.

I choose - camping with my bestie and our kids, instead of  a garage sale for all the sale-able crap in massive piles of tubs taking over the garage.

I choose - a evening bike ride through the neighborhood with the Twinners, instead of the supper mess on the counter and in the sink.

I choose - watering and tending the plants in the yard, then sitting with Mark on an adorandack chair watching the kids bike in the cal-de-sac, instead of the dust inside.

I choose - a stroll up the street to visit the neighbor's chickens with Marly and Dean, instead of sweeping the floor.

I choose - an afternoon at Bunker Beach water park, instead of scrubbing the kitchen floor that still needs sweeping.

I choose - a glass of wine on the deck, instead of the taking a brush to the bathroom toilet.

I choose - dinner off the grill eaten on the patio, instead of turning on the oven and setting the table.

I choose - an afternoon at Como Park or a playdate with a gal pal and her kiddos, instead of grocery shopping.

I choose - yet another day on the water while Dean water skis, instead of the windows that never got washed this spring.

I choose - heading to hang out with family in the country, instead of vacuuming the house and running errands.

I choose - my hometown days dance at The Other Place with my cool cat cousin's, instead of expensive drinks at a trendy urban watering hole.

I choose - ice cream and added pounds, instead of the diet I should go on.

I choose - my girlfriend's patio with sweet lights strung overhead on a balmy Thursday evening, instead of going to bed at a reasonable time on a school night.

I choose - a late night bonfire on Saturday, instead of getting up early for church on Sunday.

I choose - hosting the neighborhood National Night Out block party this year, making cute and neatly printed invites hand delivered with Marly and Dean to every front door AND mailbox up and down the street, instead of simply walking a few houses up the street with a pan of rice crispy bars.

I choose - a totally awesome tan, instead of the MORE HEALTHY skin alternative which involves shading the sun and applying sunscreen liberally.

I choose - picking up cold deli friend chicken for a picnic style meal on Sunday, instead of home cooking.

I choose - breakfast out and gallons of coffee with girlfriends, instead of organizing the closets bursting at the seams/doors with clutter .

I choose - heading north or west at some point each weekend, instead of staying in town for the duration.

I choose - itchy mosquito bites, instead of smoothly shaved legs.

I choose - shorts, instead of a skirt even though my legs show the results of the ice cream, potato chips, mosquite bites and chiggers!

I choose - reading a book by the window, instead of changing the sheets and wiping the mirrors.

I choose - finger prints on the screen doors, instead of pristine and polished glass because the visible prints are a reminder of the ones I love and cherish, and our summer season of fun.

I choose - inviting friends for grilling or dinner - BECAUSE I WILL FINALLY be pressured to put away the laundry, vacuum, grocery shop, and scrub the kitchen floor.

If we haven't enjoyed some summer time fun time with you the past three months, on the lake, at breakfast, for a meal or cocktail, outside, in the country, around the neighborhood, or at some event exclusive to summer, please call me! We will try and find a time to have you come for dinner, because my house is a DISASTER again!

Friends and family are ALWAYS welcome at the Thomberg House (when we aren't out and about doing all the things above), but do NOT open the closets or look closely at the ceiling and corners, because you WILL find spider webs! Come outside to the patio. It is a pleasant place. The only cleaning required is with a hose, and you all know we like the water.

Summer Vacation 2012 - Just relaxing

My Mr. 'Bou throws out the first pitch

Last night Mark was at the Twins game with Caribou Coffee.

Last week he was choosen by his 'Bou peers to throw out the first pitch at the game. It is quite an honor indeed. Back at home, his proud wife was giddy with excitement for him.

Mark before the game with another District Manager from the region "Mertz",and his Director of Operations "KP"

There it is! The ball for the first pitch. He got it bring it home with him.

Getting ready for the big moment, wearing his official Twins jersey with TC.

Taking the mound

My Mr 'Bou jumbo size

The ball made it over home base and into TC's gloved paw.

Mark checked an item off his bucket list last night!

Back in the Caribou suite with some of his managers - part of 'Marky Mark's Funky Bunch' team.

Kicking up his heels in his 'Bou award custom designed Chuck Taylor's. He earned the Converse tennis shoes last winter for his outstanding numbers and drive of Amy's Blend.

Lake Life - Thomberg Summer of Fun 2012

I reviewed my Outlook calendar the other night. I counted.  My kids have been in a Minnesota lake swimming and playing at least 18 days this summer.

Lakes include:
Lake Pierson (Brett and Rachel's)
William O'brien State Park (camping)
Lake Allie (Jan & Sheldon's)
Diamond Lake (The Ulrich Cabin)
Middle Cullen Lake (vacation)

Our most recent lake day was for Sawyer Melberg's birthday at Jan and Sheldon's. What a glorious day with family and friends. The birthday boy is the blondie on the far left in the photo above.

Tubing with your cousins

What could possibly be better on a Saturday afternoon????

Dean pointed out there seems to be a lot of "brothers" at these family things, and very few "sisters".

Melberg sisters consist of Marly (& two sweet girls we rarely see in Iowa), Me & my cousin Michelle above, and my Aunt Carol (who was on vacation in Alaska).

Dean and Wilson

The kids wrapped up the party with a water fight after supper.

You bet I was IN on the action.

I am proposing an "ALL GENERATION WATER FIGHT REMATCH" at Charlie's Birthday this weekend.Who's in???? Bring your own water balloons and guns!

Summer-Fun-Vacation-Water Skiing

Rachel

Brett

Me & my failed attempt to slalom

And then there is Dean. He just keeps going, and going, and going.

Next time he hits the water, he will lose some of the safety nets.

(like the rope attached directly to the skis...)

Nisswa Turtle Races

For just $5, on any given Wednesday summer afternoon in Nisswa (rain or shine) you can rent and race a turtle at the town center!

Ready!

Set!

Go!

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Our Twinners

and Babe the Blue Ox

Our turtles did not win.

Summer Vacation 2012

Oh yes...we have been back from vacation for WELL OVER A WEEK, and I am just now putting up a post about our Melberg Summer Vacation to the Wilderness Resort on Middle Cullen Lake by Nisswa.

What have I been doing? If you must know, I have been reading the "50 Shades of Grey" series like every other woman in America, watching the Olympics,  hosting our streets 'National Night Out' Block Party, spending time in the water closer to home, and I guess I have this thing called a job too.

So - back to our vacation...

We stayed in a rental villa with plenty of room for all at a small resort two miles outside of town. In no particular order, we swam in the lake, we played on the beach, we ate pizza at Zorbas, we went to the pool, we grilled, we went out to eat or stayed in to eat, Mark and Dad kayaked, we used the paddle boat, we investigated resorts for future vacations, we boated, we played with Charlie, we water skied, we mixed cocktails, we went into town for lattes at Stone Mill Coffee, we climbed a fire tower outside of Pequot Lakes, we went for drives, we drank beer and wine, we swam, we ate ice cream cones at the Chocolate Ox and DQ, we swam, we had a fire (just once, because the kids wanted one, even though it was HOT), we entered in the Turtle Races at Nisswa, we had my Dad's cousin and wife over for steak & sampled multiple glasses of Reg's home brews. The Twinners did not take a single nap, several adults did. The girls snuck off to the spa. My already stellar tan was further enhanced.

Here are some family photos taken after dinner out at the Bar Harbor Supper Club on Gull Lake. (Rachel's ultra super belated birthday dinner pick.)

Cousins - Chris got the boy's matching shirts.

My fabulous (arrogant - he he!!) brother and his beautiful family.

Just us.

I love this picture.
My dad looks so truly happy.
The kids are happy.
They make each other happy.

Dare I say lucky.
No... BLESSED!