Yeah, I thought those might get your attention.  Gratuitous fish porn.  Jim, Joe, and Dan above with a few of their big fish.  Yeah, we typically caught some like this every day, couldn't keep em off our lines for catching some good eaters.  Some of Quetico's finest walleye from the Clausen family secret spot.  Thanks for sharing it with me.  Glad you enjoyed the steak on the coals, polish sausages, bacon and the tomatoes in the back country.  We sure did eat well.  Chalk this trip up as another one where the fish by the pound cost far outweighed the worth of the tackle.    

Not many chances in your life do you get to go on a true fishing pilgrimage like this one to 'El Dorado' in the Quetico Provincial Park just north of the Minnesota border.  I am leaving out a few of the biggest fish pictures.  I did not catch the biggest fish, and I am okay with that.  And for the record, no I am not telling you where El Dorado is.  
I might have been the only guy along who actually caught fish of a size we didn't feel too guilty eating. 
I also may have been the guy who caught the most; and I am sure I lost the most lures (5) and 3 of those were still on fish...on a 20 pound leader and 10 pound test.  Yeah, for the record, you can catch walleye on leaders and 10 pound test.  Don't let those nay sayers (outfitters whose livelihood it is to get you on fish) fool you. 

Claire is 11 months old now.  Time is going really fast!  So many teeth, so much jabbering, so speedy quick on her knees crawling around the house.  We love keeping up with her. 

Claire surprised me tonight by crawling right up onto the door of the dishwasher!  Does this mean its time for the next round of baby proofing?

Thanks to Missy's grandma for teaching Claire her new favorite game.  She thinks Peek-A-Boo is the biggest thrill.  And I think Uncle Ryan might be her favorite person to play with!

Uncle Ryan and soon-to-be Aunt Missy were in town this weekend and Claire had such a great time with them.  There were bridal showers and a BBQ to attend.  We think Ryan and Missy are a great match.  Congratulations- We are all looking forward to the wedding in November.  Yippee!!

Some of Missy's family were also in town from Michigan this weekend.  Her mom Kathy brought Claire this Little People wedding set as well as some other adorable items.  Claire has been asked to be a flower girl in Missy and Ryan's wedding, if she happens to feel like it on the big day.  Papa is working on a special wagon to serve as transportation down the aisle.

Claire and Uncle Ryan are good buddies.

Claire likes to spin around on her bottom when  she is happy or excited, or just wants a 360 degree view of the room.  She can go both ways, so she doesn't get dizzy and tip over!  What a skill...  

Claire recently had a close encounter with something scary- a balloon!!  Mimi brought it over, thinking Claire would think it was neat, but as you can see, she had quite the opposite reaction.  The balloon is now safely hiding out of sight in the closet.  However, yesterday at the grocery store Claire started crying really loud when she saw the balloon arch over the dairy aisle.  Is she scarred for life?

Claire has all kinds of new tricks!  She can say "Mama", "Baba"(bye-bye) and wave.  She's not overly reliable, but she's getting it.  She's also starting to pull herself up on things!  We're practicing "Dada"- maybe we can surprise him when he comes home from his fishing trip!

Claire and Papa had fun this week when Papa babysat.  This was the first time that he had watched Claire without anyone there to consult with.  Papa did great and Claire had a good time!  (Mom had a good time going out, too!)

Check out Claire's creative use of the bike horn...