A mini trip to Minneapolis

Steve had a Wednesday-Friday conference in Minneapolis so we decided to join him on Friday and stay the weekend.  We stayed at the Radisson by the Mall of America that was home to the Waterpark of America.  We had SO much fun!  On Friday AJ and I took public transportation from the hotel down to the University of Minnesota campus to visit his babysitter Dara who had started there just a month earlier.

On the light rail going to the U of M campus

We met Dara at the campus Natural History Museum...

 This is a simulation of what it is like to walk on a bog... AJ had a blast running and jumping on it.  By the way, we were the only ones in there.  I think Dara may use it as a study spot!

 In the bear cave or was it a beaver lodge?  I don't remember but he's dressed like a bear.  Hmmmm...

 He misses her like crazy!

 We hopped back on the bus (right bus but wrong way) and eventually got back to the hotel after going a half hour out of our way.  The next day we hit up the waterpark in the morning and the mall in the afternoon- Nickelodeon Land and mini golf.

On Sunday it was back to the waterpark and on our way home.

9/11/11- 10 years later

We spent 9/11 at the Rib Mountain Fire Station Open House.  There are always fun things to do for the kids to do.  The open house is one of AJ's favorite events of the year.

 AJ is obsessed with Freddie the Fire Engine!

 Sparying the big fire hose!

 Inquisition with Sparky...

The last days of summer and the first day of school

AJ and Daddy slept out in the tent in the backyard and made it outside until about 6 a.m. which was pretty good.  They had a fun evening which did include s'mores on the grill before camping out.

One of my projects this summer was to draw/paint the Newman Fighting Cardinal for the administration building of AJ's school.  They got wind that I was crafty and asked me to do it.  We got it done for the first day of school!

 The first day of 4K and AJ even got to bring Pound Cake along!

Hartman Creek State Park

One Sunday in late August we decided to take a drive to a state park in Waupaca.  All we wanted was to have a little adventure and we found a beautiful park not too far away.  We enjoyed our hike and a little play time at the beach!

Bay Beach and the Wildlife Center

On a hot day in July, we ventured out to Green Bay and to Bay Beach with AJ's cousins, Adreanna and Parker.  We had loads of fun riding the rides at the amusement park and then at the nature center across the way.  Those three kids get together and it is bound to be goofy!

Parker and AJ on the helicopter ride

Waiting in line for the train... the sure know how to entertain themselves!

Parker and AJ on the train

Adreanna and Nicole on the train

Taking a break in the wading pool!  Boy, that water feels good!

At the nature center

A couple of family pictures from the Fourth of July

There are many more of these pictures but they aren't on my computer right now...