Happy 7th Birthday Finn!

Finn's buddy, Beckham at his birthday party

A Toronto Blue Jays blanket (in honor of cousin Zach) from Grandpa and Grandma Carrithers

Checking out the ticket memory box from Aunt Sarah

Finn's buddy, Brooks

Finn wanted a cake with his picture playing hockey and all the NHL teams on it!!

Luke being....Luke

Finn's buddy, Liam after digging for gummy bears in the whip cream

Trying to find gummy bears

Finn's buddy, Silas

Levi 

Aiden

Memory box for his tickets from Aunt Sarah

We celebrated Finn's birthday over the weekend with a backyard slip n slide party.  It was a lot of fun for Finn and several of his close neighbor friends.  We tried to keep numbers really low and didn't invite entire families or extended friends this time around in an effort to keep the group small due to COVID.  But, we were happy to have a party at all.  We had a giant slip and slide with water, dish soap, and a 50 foot tarp.  We played some silly water games, had a water balloon fight, and ate hot dogs, chips, watermelon, and cake.  We were thankful the weather held out and it was hot and humid, but no thunder storms as were forecasted for most of the day.

For those who know Finn, you know he is one of the happiest, silliest, always smiling, always playing kids.  Finn would rather play with friends all day than play with toys.  He is outgoing, full of personality, and confident enough to walk up to any age kid and ask them to play.  He is 7 years old going on 17!!  He typically runs the show with his friends and many of them follow him.  He loves bagel bites, chocolate chip muffins, watermelon, and sour candies.  He enjoys painting, playing hockey and soccer, riding his bike, trading hockey cards, and doing whatever his brothers are doing.  He loves Luke and wants to be just like him.  He even talks about being a goalie one day!  We love you, Finn.  

Chicago for Luke

About the same height as Aunt Jennifer!

Luke and I (he's taller than me now!!)

Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza!

John's sisters, Ann and Jennifer, came up to watch a few games.  Uncle Dan (Ann's husband) was also there. 

BIG breakfast!

Finn's injured wrist

Cooling off in the water

Team masks to wear inside the rink

John and Luke went to see Wrigley Field

Luke had the opportunity to play in a big hockey tournament in Chicago this weekend.  Originally, we were all supposed to make the trip back in April, but things were revised a bit due to COVID. The tournament was rescheduled for July and the number of spectators was significantly reduced.  Luke's team did well over the weekend finishing with 4 wins and 1 loss (Luke was thankfully not in net for the loss).  The competition was much harder than we have seen in previous tournaments so it was nice to have the added challenge.  Uncle Dan and John's sisters, Ann and Jennifer, came up to watch a couple games and visit with John.  Luke had a blast doing his favorite thing, hanging with his team, and seeing our family from Cincinnati!

Finn had a small injury this week when he fell on the driveway while running.  He landed on his wrist and it was swollen and red, tender to touch, and very stiff/painful to move.  Thankfully, after several hours at urgent care and an x-ray, he did not have a broken bone!  He had a bad sprain and has a small brace to wear for a week.  He's doing much better.  

Summer Happenings

Liam and his friend Luke at the pool

Luke doing tricks at the pool

Ice Cream from Mimi!  She sent the boys some money to go get a treat at their favorite ice cream place 

Middle School mood and pose for the camera

We have had a pretty routine week doing the hockey development camps for Luke, Liam, and Aiden blog with as many trips to the pool that we can fit in.  While many things were cancelled this summer, thankfully the pool is open and doing well.  We have had a relatively warm summer thus far so its been ideal for swimming.  Finn spends most of his days trying to find neighbors outside to play with.  He isn't shy at all and will walk up to kids closer to his brother's ages and ask them to play.  He stays quite busy moving from one friend to the next.  

4th of July

Checking out the Lighthouse

Temperance Landing area

Preparing for the Ropes Course

The last time we were at the North Shore with the boys...they were just a tad younger (and so were we!)

Checking out a waterfall before our big hike

At the top of Carlton Peak after a very warm 3.5 mile hike

Morse Street in Duluth

Finn's picture at the top of Carlton Peak

Checking out the lift bridge in Duluth

Very cold water in Lake Superior!!

The boys tried the swimming even though it was very cold!

Beautiful Sunset

Watching the Sunset....

Gorgeous!!

We had a wonderful 4th of July celebrating on the North Shore.  We decided during our quarantine at home that we needed a long weekend away from the house.  We booked a cabin at Grand Superior Lodge and stayed there from Thursday to Sunday.  It was an awesome time to get away and show the boys a new area that John and I enjoy.  We did some hiking, a ropes course, biking, swimming, cliff jumping into the water (yes, I am not kidding.  I was too nervous to take pictures!!).  It is a beautiful area along Lake Superior with a rocky coastline and lots of area to explore.  The last time we were there with the boys we only had Luke and Liam and they were just over a year old.  We took the boys on a 7 mile hike that was a tad longer than any of us expected it to be, but we survived and we were more than happy to be back at the car.  Overall, it was a great time to get away and enjoy a beautiful area and a nice change of pace.