"Go camping." they said.  "It will be fun." they said.

Really, when Amy and Eric asked us to join them camping on Rainy Lake for a long weekend in July, no one thought we would go.   Apparently, they had the misconception that I didn't like camping.  Now, how could I not like camping when I had never been camping???  

We checked our calendar, and wrote in down in pen.  We were going camping, in the woods, on an island, with a tent.  Now, we just needed a tent...

In typical Prose fashion, we decided to extend the trip and leave a day earlier.  This day would be used to check out the Bemidji scene - including Paul Bunyan, the Mississippi River headwaters and the local brewery.

 The following day, we loaded up our boat (Thanks, Dad!!).  It was questionable at times, but it didn't sink under the weight of all our gear.  We slugged though the water to reach our very own island.  It was beautiful.  The next few days were filled with everyone doing exactly what they love - reading and fishing and swimming and reading and fishing and exploring and reading and fishing and playing cards and reading and fishing and taking pictures of sunsets.  Honestly, it was the most perfect camping trip I have ever been on.😊 

Late May, I gave the kids the community education catalog and told the children they would each select 2 activities for the summer.  It worked out quite perfect, because Bennett's activities (marching band and a summer of service volunteering program) took up the month of June and Harper's activities the month of July.

I know you are just dying to know what activities Harper Nicole selected for this summer.  Well, she obviously choose tennis.  This selection was made because Daddy was "the best tennis player" who won "so many trophies", Harper was quite sure she would be good at it, too!  And, she knew the teacher.

Activity number 2 was ballet.  This choice was determined by Harper's love of dance, and the fact that the ballet class is the only class that does not perform.😂

 Harper was a bit nervous, but very quickly made friends at both activities.  She is very certain there is a tennis trophy and pointe shoes in her future.

It's only the first week of July, and yet these three pictures are the perfect summary of the summer of 2019.  

Two exhausted kids, 

 and unpacking, 

 just to pack again.

From Pine City, we drove directly to Rose Lake.  Apparently, all that was accomplished during our stay was to take several pictures of kids driving a boat, and sunsets.  *Aside note:  Harper has become recently obsessed with taking pictures of "nature", because we all know how much she loves nature.

It was all fun and games, until...

 this happened.

 Sorry.  Super gross, I know, but I felt the picture was necessary in order to tell the story.  Here's the scene - the Prose family is enjoying themselves on our very own private sandbar down the river.  The kids are splashing and playing in the water, the grownups are catching up with some craft beer, and then the scream.  "SOMETHING SHARP SOMETHING SHARP!!!" erupted from Gracie's mouth.  Now, Gracie has a tendency to lean toward the dramatics, so I must say no one really reacted too quickly.  The, Bennett picked her up and we saw the blood gushing from Grace's foot.

I learned 2 things very quickly.  1.  There are some major jerks who throw things in our water that should not be in our water.  1.  If I am ever in an emergency situation, I want my SIL Amy to be there, because she is amazingly calm in the face of injury.

 Amy and Grace headed to Urgent Care (not in Pine City) and the rest of us waited to hear the verdict.  And, it arrived in the form of a boot, and one brave faced little girl.

Fortunately, the rest of the time was spent without any further injuries - and just fireworks and food and our favorite family.  However, this 4th of July will probably always be remembered as the holiday Gracie gouged out her foot and went to Urgent Care. 

Finally!!!  I wish my excitement could effectively translate onto this page as I type, because I'M SO EXCITED!!!  It's cabinet install day!!!  I can not wait to take my displaced kitchen and fill these lovely drawers and shelves, but first we get to go to the river! 

 Isn't it lovely???