Family time in July

Here are the pictures I have been meaning to post for awhile now....As many of you know, the 4th of July is an important holiday in our family, not just because it signifies the coming of independence to our great land, but because my dear father was born that day, So we make it a really big deal and all get together at the lake. And this year, we made it even more special by going backpacking for three days on Rock Island (my Dad, brothers, Jason and I). My dear mother and sister-in-law and Jonas came for the day and then made some memories back at the house. Rock Island is located just north of Washington Island, which is just north of the Door Peninsula in Wisconsin--- (see the upper right corner of the map:) It takes two ferries to get there--one from the mainland to Washington Island, and one from there to Rock Island (making it seem all the more rustic and out-of-the-way of regular life), and Rock Island itself is a state park, and no vehicles or bikes, for that matter, are allowed---a true campers paradise: just nature and silence and beauty:) I love backpacking, and sometimes, I think I was meant to be a forest creature, as the woods and I are such great friends:) We all had a blast, exploring the beautiful old boathouse, making the best of the rain, playing Monopoly in a little cabin by firelight, taking a fantastic hike around the whole island, enjoying the gorgeous cedar trees surrounding us at our campsite, cooking over the fire, and of course, staying up late discussing the problems and concerns of the universe---politics, poverty, raising children in gender-neutral homes, you name it, we probably talked about it, argued about it, got a little mad, and then moved on to the next topic. I love my family. Oh, and on a side note, pray for my brother Dave today right this very moment as he is taking is MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) right now:) We are so proud of you, David Scott! I also wanted to add some pictures from our special couple of days spent with Dave before everyone else arrived---:) We have so much fun proving how we have not grown up quite yet...(and when it comes to racing go-carts that are much to small for us, I'm sure we never will:)