life lately! AUGUST reflections from the GRANDS!
- Our Grand Lives
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Friday, August 29, 2025
Welcome to this edition of our monthly recap,
As August fades away,
It does feels in some ways
as though summer is taking its last, lingering breath…
Looking back over this past month,
we find ourselves
holding onto the fullness of summer’s gifts
and the invitation it presents to pause and reflect before the page turns..
These LIFE LATELY posts have become
our own version of a monthly online scrapbook,
a place to gather memories, moments, and reflections we want to remember!
After all, as you may already know, our motto is
Here’s a few of our favorite AUGUST reflections!
August began with the thrill of knowing
our annual extended family va-cay was coming up soon!
Every year for the past ten years, our family and my sister’s family have taken a summer get-away together. This was our sixth year doing so at Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, Minnesota. You might remember that my hubby and I vacationed here for a few days by ourselves in mid May!
(Photo taken from Google)
When we go with both families later each summer, we rent a large six bedroom/6 bathroom cottage that has room for 12 adults and 6 Littles, similar to this one!
(Again, photo taken from Google)
It’s the perfect getaway and we look forward to it every year!
Of course,
It’s always fun preparing for the trip…
like picking out books at the library to take with us!
Every year, it is such a wonderful time
and we’re grateful for the many ways
this trip brings us all closer together!
Our days there are spent at the beach and pool,
with a few trips to the ice cream store, of course!
We always look forward to good meals eaten together
and nightly campfires
and no trip would be complete without our traditional dinosaur photo!
Golf, pickleball, walks, pedicures, arcade games,
bike rides, fun cocktails, games, stories, reminiscing,
a visit from the tooth fairy, dancing, singing…
and just relaxing with each other - listening and connecting!
The best!!!
Creating memories that the heart holds forever!
Meanwhile, our Little D has been taking swimming lessons this summer!
These lessons were a recent birthday gift from us
and, let me tell you, it was money well spent!
Little D has made great progress these past few months and we are so proud of her! She will continue with a new class starting in September when her mom and dad will take over and be taking her to a weekly evening class themselves.
You might recall, thought, that it was my job to take Little D to her swimming lessons this summer and I wasn’t exaactly looking forward to it since it wasn’t my fave activity when our own kids were little! To my surprise, I ended up loving it!!! Watching Little D’s confidence grow and enjoying her smile when she turned her head to me for approval, knowing she'd finally tried something new, was priceless!
Our little fish!
With this being the last week in August, our weekly swimming dates are now coming to an end. Looking back, I'm SO glad we decided to gift her this opportunity... Since drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children ages 1-4 years old each year, I truly believe that swimming lessons are one of the best gifts we can give our Littles!
A few days after we got home from our family vacation,
our Son D and DIL M hosted a house warming party for their friends and family!
The theme was Under the Sea!
My DIL loves a party with a good theme!
The house was decorated,
food and drinks planned
and my DIL convinced me to try creating a watermelon fish.
I have to pat myself on the back...
I'd have to say, it turned out pretty good!
All in all, August left us with lots of beautiful memories!
During the month of August I primarily lived out of a suitcase!
From July 25 - August 22, I was only home two nights
as I spent ten days at our daughter’s house
and then went directly to the lake for several days!
My time with our Littles continued in early August
and I was able to simply do life alongside them for a whole week!
We were on the go!!!
We went to the library and out to lunch,
We went to the zoo and to swimming lessons,
we had a play date at an open gym and we went to an outdoor concert!
And, of course, we found time each day to play and sing and dance
and read and paint and, best of all, snuggle!
Finger painting with yogurt!
We even made refrigerated pickles from the garden cucs!
They were easy and so delicious!
Having this quality time with my girls was such a treasure!
Hubby came to spend the following weekend with this sweet family
and then the two of us sadly said our goodbyes
and then made another trip and drove directly to the lake.
Our family lake home was scheduled to be painted
- it was in desperate need -
so we had a bit of prep work to get done!
Trees and bushes were trimmed before they started power washing!
YIKES!
Then we spent five days “in isolation”
with windows covered in plastic and a few unexpected rain delays!
It was a bit daunting and depressing!
We did, however, clean out a bunch of closets while we were stuck inside
and we enjoyed a sheet pan shrimp boil one night, too!
Finally! There was light and sunshine in our world once again...
and a fresh look, too!
I haven’t taken photos yet from the lake side of the house with fresh paint
but you can see it (sort of) from afar in the photo below!
Next up?
A tiny bit of landscaping to complete the outside refresh!
We headed home for two nights mid August for a brief family reunion,
picked up our mail and did some laundry!
Then it was back to the lake for a repeat from earlier in the month.
Only this time, the girls came to us!
Daughter J’s husband had weekend plans
so she made the five hour drive with two Littles in tow!
It rained all weekend (sigh),
but we still managed to have four glorious days together!
Oh August… you were memorable!
And with that…. We’re both ready to bid August adieu!
(and this quote from Taylor herself seemed appropriate with her big announcement this week!)
It’s always great to have you stop by and take the time
to visit our world!
THANK YOU!
Next week, we’ll be taking a break from Our Grand Lives
but we’ll look forward to returning soon after!
We also want to THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts
for reading, commenting, subscribing and/or emailing directly at
If you’d like to follow us on Instagram or Facebook,
August has a way of reminding us
how quickly time turns…
One moment we’re soaking up summer’s endless days,
and the next we’re getting ready to welcome fall.
We always appreciate the opportunity these monthly recaps provide
to look back and think about all that's happened!
Reflecting on this past month helps us gather up its warmth and memories,
carrying them with us as the season now begins to change.
Summer may be coming to an end,
but its echoes will linger in our hearts - now and always!
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