Summer vacation - Minneapolis

We took the kids on a mini-vacation to Minneapolis.  We started out by visiting Underwater World at the Mall of America.

Then we headed to Nickelodeon Universe for a day of rides.  Both Chase and Addie are FEARLESS!Addie was the one who was trying to convince me to ride the Log ride because "it's not scary mom, see?"

 

Lastly we headed on over to Como Park & Zoo.. I didn't realize we had to drive by the Minnesota State Fair to get there.. then it started raining after we saw the first exhibits (giraffes and zebras).

Tink gets down!

Addie showed off her tinkerbell jammies and slippers.. and then got down!!

This & That...

Dylon showed off his collection of Zorbaz cups as he packed up his room for college.

 Jace did what he does best.. slept..

 Chase & Addie are always wanting their picture taken with Jace..

We Fest Weekend 2012

Well, this was a different We Fest for me... I survived without going.  That hasn't happened for awhile.  Jace just sat around and slept, with the exception of what you see here...

 Addison modeled her swimwear...

Chase attempted to waterski for the first time.. I say attempted for a reason. I learned that kids must learn by experiencing, not solely by instruction.  I tried to explain that he if starts to get pulled forward, he should LET GO of the rope.. He didn't seem to grasp that concept immediately and unfortunately got dragged underwater by the boat a short distance. He was very brave though and didn't cry.  He didn't want to try again that day though.. but promised me he'd try it again soon. The smiling you see in the picture was obviously prior to trying the task at hand.

Otherwise we just spent time hanging out at my uncle's lake cabin... what a beautiful weekend, except for when it rained...

More pics of little man..

Jace spent a beautiful weekend day at the lake... although he slept through most of it.

Addie turned 3!!

My baby girl is now 3.. how time flies.  We had a little family get together the night of her birthday, but I can say she is anxiously awaiting her party this weekend.

Water Carnival

We hung out at the park for some of the Water Carnival festivities.  Heather came up for the weekend to meet her little brother, and brought Maddie along.

 Shawn and Dylon helped Chase make a "sailboat" out of cardboard and styrofoam..

He ended up getting 2nd place.. his boat didn't quite make it , but the styrofoam did.