MOA Log Ride

Laura's old favorite roller coaster at the Mall of America was a pretty fast orange one that went all over the park. But, she has moved up to the Log Ride and all others have taken a backseat. (It sounds like we go all the time, but really, we don't. I bought a large amount of points on sale one time and we're burning through it at about the rate of one ride each per month.) 

She looks terrified, but she's always smiling at the end :)

Fun at the Beach and Barb's Parade

We had a big day today! At the beach by 8:30 AM and still watching my cousin Barb's parade at 7:30 PM! OK, its not technically her parade, but that's what we call it because she hosts a party every year and we get really good seats and lots of candy. Anyway, both kids were pooped tonight and went right to sleep. 

Goofy Family

"What would you like, ma'am?"

Pin the Wart on the Foot

Homemade piñata for the Happy No More Warts Party for Laura

Watching the Venus Transit

Picking 14 pounds of strawberries at Sam's Farm.The kids were sooooo much more help this year than years past!

Elsewhere in our yard

Native Prairie or Weed Patch??

A couple years ago I got sick of a patch of weedy grass that no one ever played in or even really looked at because it was sheltered from the road and neighbors by several spruces trees. I thought: Native Prairie!! So we covered it in black plastic for a year to kill everything and spread a seed mix appropriate for our area. Last year, we followed the directions to keep it kind of short to give the slower growing plants a chance. This year, we've let it go. I get excited every time something blooms and I have to take a picture. I hope we aren't harboring any weeds that are too noxious. So far, only a few curious questions from neighbors. No one seems too put out by they 3 foot tall unidentified plants.

We cut down a sick tree, and it became the kids' "grove". 

Chuck E. Cheese pictures #3

Chuck E. Cheese pictures #2

Chuck E. Cheese pictures #1