Summer in Ashland

Beautiful summer days have been few and far between so far this summer. So last week, when a gorgeous day hit when Peter was heading out to Ashland to service the vending machines at the college, I decided it was a great day to load up the kids and take them along.

We usually play at a playground while Peter is at the college. Our "usual" playground, while very nice, had a lot of high places that we wide open. And Logan is at an age...oh, how do I put this....where he likes to defy death. Like, constantly. So we decided to try out a new park with fewer opportunities for toddler base jumping.

This new park we tried was very nice as well. For being a smaller town, Ashland sure does have some nice playgrounds. It was a nice quiet morning playing in the sun with two of my favorite people in the world.

After Peter was done at the college, we decided to take full advantage of the beautiful day and go out to Bayfield. We walked around the little shops and then had a nice tax-deductible family lunch overlooking the lake.

Hope you are also enjoying these fleeting summer days!

Becoming a Northlander

We haven't been to Northland College in Ashland since Logan learned to walk. He was all too thrilled to explore on his own, which was fine because the students are on the winter break. So we had the place to ourselves while Peter filled the machines.

It's been cold here. Really cold. Needless to say, the grand playground experiences we have had in Ashland while Peter's servicing the college are not happening. 

Since he was only a few months old last winter, Logan is just now learning the joys and experiences of living in a climate colder than Mars.

For example, sometimes playing  outside is really playing inside the Ashland Wal-Mart.

Or, you know, sometimes your nose freezes shut, your eyes freeze open, your car won't start, and even when it does, it feels like you're driving a frozen block that may break at any moment.

Luckily, the kids haven't had to start or drive a car yet this winter. 

And culturally, Logan is extremely excited about our love in the Northland to display  our hunted animals on our walls. I snapped this shot of Logan after he discovered one of Northland College's trophies: 

 

Yes indeed. He's becoming quite the little Northlander. 

On another note, despite the freezing temps, we aren't a bunch of ninnies! We are debuting our cupcake vending machine at the wedding workshop at the Rex from 2-4 PM. Check it out! Pics to come!

Out to Ashland!

The beauty of working from home is the flexibility and all the extra time I get to spend with my family. I've been able to arrange my workload and schedule so that I can accompany Peter out to Ashland and Bayfield to check on our new accounts. It's about an hour and a half drive, and even though there are obviously challenges taking the whole family, I always say that if we can be together, we will be together. It actually turns out to be a fun family day.

Our first stop in Ashland is to check on one of our larger accounts at Northland College. Clara, always the helper, loves assisting her daddy in getting set up to fill and service the machines.

 Logan is at the fun age where he loves to explore all that's around him. He stares at open soda machines like they're magic vortexes.

While daddy takes care of the college, I take the kiddos to the park. Ashland has a really nice playground that Clara loves. We easily kill a few hours there. The beauty of Dr. Pepper being our supplier is I can endlessly enjoy my Snapple Peach Tea while playing with my two favorite kids on a beautiful day.

After Peter's done at the college, we usually grab lunch on the go and head out to Pike's Bay Marina in Bayfield. It's a very nice place and Clara and I usually read books or pretend we're going to put together a 1,000 piece puzzle  inside the marina's "clubhouse" while Peter takes care of the vending machines there.  

Those two stops and travel time make it a full day, but the kids do very well considering how young they are. I love getting away for the day with the family, and I love that this is the way our kids will grow up, getting to always explore new places and meet new people!