First Family Trip to Duluth

After school wrapped up this year, we took the opportunity to spend a couple days up in Duluth before summer camp started.  Granted, a vacation with children is much different that just us two, we still had a great time sharing this special city with out kids.

First stop - Spirit Mountain

The Timber Twister - a few years old, but a really cool ride down the mountain (and then back up)

This is my scared face!

Another new favorite - The Duluth Grill


The "smashed penny"... another one of our collections



We did the "tourist" stuff and then headed up to our house about 10 minutes north of Duluth.  Since the weather was so nice, we opted for picnicking most of our meals.

Lunch on Lake Superior

yummy chips!

Since we were right on the lake, we investigated all of the cool rocks on the lakeshore...

some made their way into the trunk ;-)

Gotta stop at The Portland Maltshop

YUMMY!!!

Two happy girls in front of the lift bridge

We were blessed with great weather and pretty good patience during this holiday.  We are looking forward to heading back up to Duluth in late July!



Happy Birthday to Violet one more time!

Violet was able to pick where she wanted to go for her birthday dinner... her pick?

Famous Daves!

We started with the pre-meal coloring

followed by the meat fest!  seriously this kid can put it down!

After dinner, we headed back home for the opening of a few presents. 

Sylvia helped decorate the wrapping paper, so she was excited to watch.

"singing in the rain!"





Baby Steps 3K

This year marked the third Baby Steps 3K that we took part in.  While it was just us four this year, the numbers walking and the amount raised for Children's was another record!


We made it the whole 3 kilometers!

Between shoulders, piggy back, or stroller... these were the popular methods to get Violet through the 3K

Sylvia showing off her missing teeth

Grabbing a quick bite to eat before we hit the jumpy castles

"milking the cow" as we left the State Fairgrounds

This has become a yearly event for us as we know personally how important Children's NICU is... we wanted to thank all of you that donated to this cause - we really appreciate it!!!

Happy 4th Birthday Violet!

Our little peanut is 4!

It sure has been a wild ride with this one and we continue to watch her blossom every day.  Our two girls are definitely growing into their own and both of them are just perfect!

This past weekend we participated in the Children's 3K to raise money for all the great things at Children's NICU and in the afternoon had some family over for Violet's early birthday party.

The girls loved their balloons

Grandma - one at a time please!

That is the smile we were looking for!!!

Sylvia showing off her lack of teeth!

Blowing out the candles... 

Our happy and lucky family!

Happy Birthday Violet!