Fourth of July in MN

Doug, Will and I packed up the car and drove to Minneapolis to visit family and friends.  Unfortunately I wasn't feeling the best but still had a great weekend.  We stayed with the Oelfkes; Sonja, Mark, Ali and Kate.  Will had a great time playing with his cousins.  And we met up with the Preiners; Mike, Sara, Michael and Joshua.  We packed the weekend full of dominoes, swimming, fish watching, roller coastering, and even water skiing.  (No pictures of that but I have Doug for proof!)

These are pictures of the Boondocks...the restaurant in the middle of nowhere that we ate at.  We only stopped because I was desperate for some chicken noodle soup.  Despite it being listed on the menu...no chicken noodle.  In my despair, I accidentally knocked over a full glass of water.  That confirms it.  Will and I are definitely related!

 We took Will on his first real boat ride.  We set him up to cry.  We left right when he should have started a nap and I didn't top him off with food.  So we put a tired and slightly hungry boy in an uncomfortable life jacket for the first time.  If you can, zoom in to see those concerned eyebrows.  Minutes later he was inconsolable. He looked hot so we put him in the water with Sonja.  Screamed louder...put him back on the boat.  Instantly stopped crying.  Apparently he resigned himself to the idea that the boat was his best option. 

 A tiny moment of happiness. 

Don't be fooled.  It didn't last long.

 I handed Will a bobber to comfort him. 

He wouldn't let it go until his nap was over.

Ali on her new Seal.

We only had one animal rescue at the end of the day.

 Kate on Glenda...Gelda...her new giraffe.

 Mike, Michael and Sara

 Will and Joshua getting to know each other.

Joshua enjoying the sting rays

at the Sealife Aquarium in the Mall of America.

 Michael getting a top view.

I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked.  The tanks were amplifying my vertigo.  Too queasy to keep taking photos.

 Two ninjas

Watch your back!

This was Doug's first Mall of America experience.

No Doug, it is not like the Great Mall of the Great Plains.  It is the Mall of AMERICA. 

 I think it lived up to it's name. 

Doug and Michael rode on one of the coasters.  They waited in line to get the front row.

I will have to post the official picture when I find the code to download it.

We ended the day back at the lake with Renee, Harold and the Oelfkes.  My aunt and uncle picked up a brand new kayak for the grandkids (and the big kids) to enjoy.  Just after I took this photo my Uncle asked me if I was going to water ski.  I haven't been water skiing in 15-20 years.  The lake was crystal clear.  So I went for it.  I got up on the second try and almost made it around the whole lake.  I should have asked him to make a small loop.  Cousin Ali was amazing...but I will gush more later.  I think she wants to surprise some unsuspecting cousins.  : )

Let's Play Ball

Batter up!

Hit

Running to Home

Fielding

Throwing to First Base

Sportsmanship

Louis is playing t-ball this summer.  He is number 10.  We all went out to watch him play last week on a beautiful summer night.

Weekend in Eureka Springs

Doug and I packed up the car and Will and headed to Eureka Springs last weekend.  We had wonderful weather.  We stayed in a little cabin off of the main street.  It was a good thing we got there during the day.  All of the roads were narrow and the road we took to the little cabin was hidden, narrow, and had a steep drop off.  Doug became a pro at turning the Traverse around.  We walked through the neighborhoods and enjoyed the neat houses and the fun yard art.  I would have been taking pictures all day if I tried to catch it all.  We enjoyed a great lunch at a new little diner called Oscars.  Doug went in looking for water and found a gem of a place.  The food was amazing.  We are looking forward to going back when the boys are older for some hiking, swimming, and canoeing.

Will has learned to play peek-a-boo, but we call it Where's Will.  He covers his eyes with a toy or a blanket and then throws it down and smiles.  

We were going to take at the Franz's old house but didn't want to get arrested.

This binky is just the way I want it!

I want these in my yard.

who who

oh dear!

Side yard art. Seriously....what?

This is in the front yard.

I loved this flying ninja.

wallpaper at Oscars

We enjoyed a citrus fizz as a refresher then returned for lunch.

He's back!

Thorncrown Chapel

Beaver Dam

We carried Will up a huge hill.  Why didn't we bring the bjorn?

Will loved the walk.  He could have gone on for hours.

Where's Will?

There he is!

Humpty Dumpty

Will's Humpty Dumpty impression.

Our little cabin.

So sad the corny dino exhibit is closed.

Doug trespassing.

Home again.