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Papa Turns 36, Goes to the Cottage, Again

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  My birthday can only mean one thing, another cottage visit. 

 We are so close to finishing up the rental. We had hoped to have renters in by February but since it's not quite ready we figured we could use a break from our nonstop work.  

 

My birthday gift to Scott was a kringle subscription from Uncle Mike's Bake Shoppe. Our first order luckily showed up right before we left for the cottage. 

This was the best present ever.
 
Usually there's a dog here, finally Pepe got to come along.

Dad joined the kids to do art projects. 

 

I came out to find hat twins. Theo wanted to be included too.

Grandpa made the kids sled hill bigger since our last visit.



It was actually a windy day where the kite stayed up. 

Mr. Mike brought out the big Yamaha Vmax, but unfortunately it wasn't working right.



I was wondering why we got candy from Trigg's. I guess grandpa can practice his claw machine skills anytime he's at the cottage.
 
 

Me turn, me turn. 

The tube sled was already letting out air. They don't make these like they used to.
 
Definitely not.  

Scott always complains we bring too many outdoor things with us to the cottage. Unlike some people, I actually use them. 

I didn't want to use my old wooden snowshoes, so I stuck to the snowmobile again.

We decided on the Gateway Lodge for dinner. I should've stuck to the fish. The chicken and ribs were meh.

But the ambiance can't be beat.
 
Covid cases up here are pretty slim and we weren't near other tables so we felt okay about going out for dinner. 

 
 
Theo got antsy once he finished his dinner so I walked around with him in the hotel. I never noticed this awesome wallpaper in the staircase.
 

I follow Vilas County on Instagram and saw just yesterday that they featured this ice rink in Land O' Lakes. Snowflake Arena...why we decided to eat at Gateway Lodge. They closed at 9 and we got there at 8:30. The man volunteering there said to come on in. 

 
Theo started out having fun, but got crabby very quickly.
 
They even had trainers for adults.


 
Thankfully we got a few minutes of skating in.

Since it was in the negatives outside this place was perfect for skating in frigid temps. 

On our way home we had to stop in Eagle River to see the ice castle. 

 
 
Meadow got this puzzle for Blake for Christmas. None of us could figure it out over New Years. Mom tries for 5 minutes and solved!

 
Theo loves snowmobile rides.
 
Maybe next year we'll finally get trail passes.  

 
 

He also loves big swings.
 
Last summer while walking around our old neighborhood someone was throwing away kids cross country skis. They ended up being Meadow's size. We picked up some boots and poles for her at Play It Again Sports recently.

I have been wanting to try skiing a trail for a few years now. I'm always afraid to go somewhere near our home because they're always busy and I don't want someone judging my newbie skills. I talked Meadow into going with me to the 3 Eagle Trail. We passed a few people but it was mostly us. 
 
Scott's not into the trails but I really enjoyed it. 
 
I don't think cross country skiing is my thing.

We ended up going almost 3 miles which wore us both out.

Back at the cottage Theo and I enjoyed the outdoors right outside the cottage.


 
Grandpa's new snowshoes made me want to get some new one's for myself.

Meadow was back to her old tricks once we got back. 
 
 
 
I got in a quick kite flying. 

Scott was so worried I wouldn't have time to make his birthday cake. 

Hummingbird Cake round deux. Hoping no one throws up again after like last time (not related to the cake, but a coincidence last time around).


Meadow got me Metroid Dread for my birthday. Sweet! (Update: This game is really had, but fun.)


Before we headed out dad and I went snowshoeing so he could try it his new shoes. 
 
We walked over to Little Lake and found this partially eaten deer. 

I forget we could make an ice rink on here. 
 
Next year.

The snow was really deep in the woods.

Meanwhile I took the kids around the lake on the dog sled. The snow was blowing around today and I don't think Theo and Meadow were loving it.

Meadow made me go back and get her snowshoes. Then we met Brooke and Mr. Mike on the other side of the lake.

 
 
I'm so proud of Meadow for trying new things. 

 
I'm afraid this little cottage on the point will get torn down soon.

 
Another successful Northwoods birthday weekend.

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