Ely or Bust- 2015!

We hit up Ely, MN with the Remsburg side of the family for a change! My parents and my sister's family had been there before, so they kind of knew what to expect and how things work a little, so that helps. Before the trip, I had sorta planned out meal nights and a couple of activities (going into town, fishing, etc). But, nothing special. Otherwise, it was a fly by the seat of your pants vacation as always with lots of sun, tubing, fishing, jumping, swimming, laughing, boating, shopping, and more!

Here are a few of our highlights:

After Heather and Guthrey left, Tony and Kelly and the boys came! We weren't there with them long, but the boys had a great time with their boys tubing and playing in the water! 

Here are some of the "Firsts" we experienced:
* Maddox cliff-jumped for the first time
* Saylor caught a walleye (and then released it) - but it was the first walleye spotted in a LONG time in Burntside!
* Saylor and I wiped on the tube for the first time together
* Maddox swam to Blueberry Island for the first time without a life jacket
* Saylor "jumped" (well, Joe 'released' her into the water from the top of the boathouse to papa) for the first time. Saylor is still talking about it.
* The kids ate their first canoli at Sir G's pizza. My boys have been wanting to try a canoli for quite some time. Guess they got that big one checked off their bucket list!
* Joey built his first ever sauna all by  himself (with me observing). This was actually the first ever sauna I have built as well.
* First ever drinks of "Not My Father's Root Beer"- these got rave reviews!

Here are some overall memories:
* Joe fought the bees and wasp nests
* Bennett got stung
* Bennett "hooked" Joe's bicep from the deck below to the top deck
* Joe and Lou had a showdown at 2 a.m. that was bizarre to say the least
* When we arrived, Frank's boat had a dead battery, Bobbye's boat was empty of gas, and the Yellow Cobalt was not working
* Papa Mark and the guys made ribs while it was sprinkling
* Lunch at the Chocolate Moose
* Family canoe ride around the island (I'm the only one who enjoys this activity, but someday they will thank me....or they won't)
* The guys hit a rock with the fishing boat that was a little alarming at the time
* Nightly saunas
* Papa Mark's unsightly pants dance
* Joe losing his sunglasses and Maya and Guthrey finding them
* Pizza at Sir G's
* Fun pontoon ride around the island with fun food and music

It was a great trip and no one wanted to leave. But, it was time to get back to reality and "routine" again! The boys are already talking about next year's trip!! : )

Here's to Ely in 2016!