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.  : )