Happy Birthday, Max!

On February 29, 1976, I gave birth to the first of our 3 sons...Maxwell Steven weighed 8lb.15oz.  He was born 2 weeks after his due date...something doctors don't seem to allow now.  When Max's older sister, Jen, turned 2, I was very pregnant and nearly due with her brother.  I remember Steve bringing Jen to the hospital when Max was born...my baby girl looked so grown up!  And now she had a brother who would become her best friend and playmate for many years!

Max--3 months old

Max's favorite spot...his swing.

Max sported the "bowl" cut in the 70s...so cute!

3 years old and very scared to get his picture taken!

Daddy was his "Idol" and if Daddy shaved, then Max wanted to shave...

When Max was 4, he made our local paper's front page!  With a leap day birthday, he was big news in our small town.  He didn't quite understand it, but held up his 4 fingers on one hand and 1 finger on the other hand...he was a celebrity!

When Max was 2 1/2, brother Sam was born.  Any photo we have of the 2 of them shows Max with his hands on Sam's head...I don't know why, but he liked holding him by the head!  Sam didn't object!

When Max was 8, our dog had puppies...an experience all 3 kids enjoyed.  Boy, it was sure hard letting those puppies go to their new homes!

When Max was 11, we moved our family to Minnesota and bought our resort.  He truly thought we bought the resort so that he could fish everyday...and he really tried to do that!  He loved the resort and quickly learned to clean fish, drive the boats and deal with all kinds of people visiting the resort each year.

His love of the resort led me to think he might make a career of this life, but his love became the game of golf.  He chased that little white ball for many years and followed his dream of becoming a golf pro. 

Even though he is a busy guy in the summer when we are also busy at the resort, he finds the time to come visit a few times in the spring and summer and takes off in a boat to catch that elusive bass!

Max & Sara married 10 years ago and even though our memories of Max as a little boy seem like only yesterday, we are brought back to reality with the gift of these 3 blessings in their life...and in ours!

Greyson, 4, Will, 8, and Tate, 1

Happy 35th Birthday, Max!

Where did the years go??



A Look Back in History...with Pictures!

Our resort, Cedar Rapids Lodge, began in 1933.  I think back to that time...way before my time... and can only imagine what northern Minnesota was like back then.  Harry Archer came here from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to settle and built one cabin a year for 7 years to begin the fishing camp.

Here's a few photos of those days...

One of the original cabins...

Another cabin from the 30s & 40s

Harry left in the 40s and Ray & Norma Williams bought the place.  They improved the resort and built more cabins, a lodge, their home, a pool and built the business up for lots of families....some of those families are still vacationing here today!

More early photos...

An early postcard of the resort.

Another postcard advertising the resort.

The original lodge area from the 50s & 60s.

Another lodge photo...smoking was allowed inside!!

Shuffleboard continues to be a fun sport at the resort...this original game is still being played!

Ray Williams in one of the early fishing boats.

A great day fishing...a long time ago!

Postcard advertising the new playground in the 50s & 60s...

A family group coming in from fishing!

A new pool in the 60s...this changed the whole vision of the resort from a fishing camp to a "family" resort.  It was a great addition to the resort! 

This cabin sat "over" the water's edge...it was torn down in the late 70s to make room for a new cabin...but we've heard lots of wonderful stories from the families who stayed in this cabin.

I could go on and post pictures right through 2010...but just wanted to share a piece of the history of our resort.  You can visit our resort website here to see updated photos of the resort...and even make a reservation for your family for 2011!  Making vacation memories is priceless...and we promise you won't be disappointed!

Keep reading our blog for updates on our newest cabin being built....and give us a call if you'd like to start your own family traditions at Cedar Rapids Lodge!



Happy Birthday, Jen!

 37 years ago we were blessed with this bundle of joy!

Her Daddy was in the Army...Jen was born at the Ft. Sill, OK army hospital...and she was free!

My cost was $10.50 for 3 days of meals while we were in the hospital.

We spent the next 9 months in Oklahoma...

Jen & her friend, Sira born a day apart....6 months old...our apartment complex pool area..

.both daddies were in the Army.

We had a one bedroom apartment...$125/month with pool! 

 Jen slept in our bedroom...we were cozy!

Jen...10 months...Steve's Army time was done and we moved

back to Illinois, close to grandparents & family.

Jen at 1 yr. old with Grandma's dolls

When Jen was 2 yrs. 2 weeks old, her brother, Max, was born!

We lived in Eureka IL and Daddy had a new grocery store...

Jen at 4 yrs. old...

When Jen was 5, brother Sam was born...we lived on Maple Drive in

Eureka IL, and vacationed in Wisconsin & Minnesota.

Yes...when Jen was 10, she was blessed with another brother, John!

She had ordered a sister, but instead we got this 10 lb. bundle...

and she quickly fell in love with him...and he with her!

3 years later, this family left our roots in Illinois and moved to Minnesota...

and the rest is history...Jen grew up at the resort and met the love of her life and

now she has been given these special gifts....

And so have we!!

Happy Birthday, Jen!!  I dreamed of growing up and having my own little girl...

and you fulfilled that dream! 



Happy 1st Birthday, Tate!

A special little girl celebrated her birthday this past weekend.  Tate is our youngest grandchild...the 3rd little girl's birthday that we have celebrated in the last year!  When our first grandchild was born 8 years ago, we didn't know there would be 6 little grandsons born before we had a granddaughter...then we get blessed with 3 little girls in one year.  What fun!  And oh, so much pink!  We've enjoyed these little girls and all their ruffles and frills...and celebrating a 1st birthday for the youngest one is a very special day! 

Now, when you've never had a birthday, balloons within reach are a real treat!

And that 1st birthday cake is special too!

Papa Steve shows off his littlest princess in her birthday bib...

And Nana shows off the fancy tutu and baby legs...so festive for the party!

And getting to eat the cake is the best part of all!!

Happy Birthday, Emerson Tate!

You're our 9th little blessing and just as special as the 1st one was!!