First Live Performance: Cinderella

We took the kids to their first live performance (with the exception of those at Disney) this past Saturday. We saw "Cinderella" at Eagan High School put on by the Eagan Community Theater. It was a wonderful performance with a few minor changes. With the play starting at 7:30pm I was surprised at how well they did considering that is their bedtime. There was a meet and greet after the show. Dru was so excited to meet some of the main characters.

The wedding kiss

Cinderella: I love your glasses!

Leo: ...

Cinderella: Do you have a name?

Leo: yes (quiet and in awe)

Dru with Cinderella and Prince Charming

Dru with the evil stepsisters and stepmother

Enthralled!

Visit to Iowa

The kids and I took a road trip to Graettinger, Iowa last weekend. We got to witness a beautiful sunset as we drove down. We were there to visit my grandmother and their great-grandmother. Dru finally figured out what it means to pedal. She rode the 50 year old tricycle to the park and back. I am as proud of her as she is of herself. We spent time visiting my great aunt, Ruth, playing at the park, napping and swimming at the pool. The kids had so much fun they didn't want to leave!

The beautiful sunset on Friday night

Dru on the tricycle



Leo on his 3 wheeled cycle

At the park :)

Helping Grandma Lois water the plants

Dru on the big water slide

Leo chillin' in the "deep" end (4 feet)

Jellystone Park

My parents and the four of us went camping at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Warrens, WI a few weeks ago. Someone I know corrected me and told me we went "glamping".  I guess this is true, because we stayed in a cabin with air conditioning, a bathroom, shower, full kitchen, dining room, living room (including t.v.), as well as actual beds for 8. We still had to provide our own meals. It was SO HOT!! I'm pretty sure without a/c we would have left earlier and we didn't even have any interest for a fire.

The kids had an absolute blast! The water park was excellent, with a 6" to 2 feet splash and slide area that included a large picnic basket that dropped water about every 10 minutes. There was also a lazy river, a wave pool, basketball pool, and a huge water slide that went down the side of a hill. They also had an outside movie theater, restaurants, miniature golf, game room, and a store. You can and should rent a golf cart to make the experience even more unique. We will go back again, probably staying at the Warrens Lodging next time but that is just next door.

In the evening, you can peek in on Yogi and BooBoo tucked in for the night.

The outdoor movie theater

Dru is on the right waiting for the basket to tip over

It is a ton of water, she loved it!

Showing our bracelets we had to wear the whole weekend.



On our front porch

A smoothie before heading home

Summer Activities

Over the past few weeks we've been out and about a lot! Here are two things we were able to enjoy outside. First at Caponi Art Part we went to see Mexican Folk Dancing which was really neat, and to make it even more fun, Dru was able to participate!! Yes, Dru has pink hair and was partnered with her twin in a striped dress. It was really cute and she kept making sure we were watching. She was thrilled :)

One morning we took the kids to Pump It Up in Burnsville (a warehouse filled with different types of jumpers/slides/obstacle courses all filled with air). They have some open times between parties on a few days during the week. Leo was brave enough to climb up the slide but not to go down. After an employee attempted to get him down without success, I had to go get him and make him go down with me. As soon as we got to the bottom, he says, "Let's do it again!". Um, I don't think so. I had a plastic burn on my elbow for a week.

 This one is Dru just in case you can't tell, no fear for her

One beautiful Saturday morning, my friend Desi, our friend Katie and her family, the kids and I went to Hiawatha Lake Pool. It is a wading pool with a zero entry and only gets to 2 feet deep. There are little bubbling fountains and poles that spray water. The kids really enjoyed the pool and the park which is right next to it.

Las Vegas 2012

First day in front of the Bellagio fountains, one thing Mariah wanted to see

Cousins

Fireworks over Lake Las Vegas

All of us

Cousins in the Mirage

Julie and I met some of my cousins again in LasVegas! It's been while due to Amy & Jeff's wedding last October. Since we all had varied vacation plans throughout 2012, summer was the only time that worked for everyone. It was around 105 degrees every day because we went just before July 4th, which allowed us to see some fireworks, a first in Vegas for us! Mariah turned 21 in March so she joined us this year for a whirlwind 36 hour visit. We showed her our version of Vegas, gamble some, eat a lot, and drink a little. We started out at Ricardo's for a fabulous mexican lunch buffet with tequila shots for dessert. The other amazing meals we had were at BLT Burger in the Mirage, Jamm's Restaurant for breakfast/brunch, and Broadway Pizzeria for NY style pizza. Yum!

Amy won twice at Bingo in the same session! That was also a first for any of us. We took Mariah downtown for the Freemont Street Experience on Saturday night. There were some crazy freaks out so we quickly exited the area after one show. I chose for us to go see a water and light show at Sam's Town. It was a pretty neat show but would have been even better at night. Obviously we did a lot more but we need to keep some secrets, right?! A great time as always!

4th of July

We host a 4th of July family BBQ each year that starts with the parade, followed by food, and it ends with fireworks at 10pm. This year was so hot, it even broke a record when it reached 100 degrees. Add the thick humidity and it was the first year we spent the afternoon indoors. We brought our canopy to the parade to keep the sun off of most of us which helped immensely. We ate some great food as usual and stayed cool inside and played Apples to Apples. This year we had the kids nap late and allowed them to watch the fireworks. They both really enjoyed them, though Leo needed to cover his ears. We had Dru wear Julie's protective headset which she liked so she didn't have to hold her hands to her ears. It was another successful party!

Summer Fun

I love this look :)

 Squirting the pirate off the plank

Always with her hair in her mouth

Making Mommy "dinner"

2012 Delta Block Party

Every summer Delta puts on a huge party for its employees. It is filled with free food, beer, games and music. The kids always have a blast. We had lunch first followed by watching the crazy trampoline team. We collected some neat free things then headed off to the kids area. There are multiple jumpers, slides and games. Here they are enjoying themselves...

 Leo jumping before heading to the slide



Good swing!

Nice throw!

Vikings Cheerleaders

Can you tell who's tired? Hmmmmm....

Gathering for Mya's Birthday

Here are a few shots of those who came to celebrate and play for Mya's fiesta! Once a month the echo techs from the former St. Paul Heart Clinic get together for dinner. This time I had the gathering at our house for spouses and kids to be able to join us. We had a great time! Happy birthday, Mya!

Leo couldn't put his squirter down!

The Vinks

The Oyes

The Kinneys

The birthday girl with her youngest, Nolan