Fun Times in Minnesota!

We've lived here in Minnesota for a little over a month--can't believe it! Time is flying! Before we left my mom gave me a scrapbook project. She made a fabulous book that has a spot for a journal entry and picture every day during Aaron's residency. A picture and journal entry a day! Whew that's a hard one for me, but I decided to tackle the project since I know it would be really cool and worth while in the end. The kids are getting to know the routine and now have just started asking, "What picture are we taking today." It's actually been fun, and "The Book" is looking very fun even just a month in. Today, I decided to post a few of the pictures I took for "The Book". We've had a great time and have a long list of things we want to see and do here in Minnesota. Thanks, Mom for the great idea!

This is Abi & Max at the Como Zoo. St. Paul has a FREE zoo! It was so cool! They had this awesome butterfly exhibit which featured HUNDREDS of butterflies. Here, Abi & Max are holding very, very still so a butterfly would land on them. I've never seen Max hold this still, ever! No such luck at a landing, but we did see some really awesome butterflies. The favorite was the Blue Morpho.

This is Lake Elmo! It's our summer hangout. We love this place and it's only 5 minutes from our house! The Lake Elmo park reserve is really big and actually consists of 2 lakes, a fishing hole, camping sites, 3 playground areas, horse riding and a million trails for bikers and walkers. As you can see we love the beach area and all the sand.

Here's the giant playground at Lake Elmo. Notice the long slides! I've never seen slides so long! Max thinks they are the coolest things and especially likes to get going fast then land in the sand afterward. I'm not too big of a fan of all the sand that comes home in his pants and crack, but what can you say, Max is a heathen and he's having fun!

This is a picture of our pattle boat ride on the Taylors Falls Princess. We rode the Princess for 80 minutes on the St. Croix river and had a great time. The highlight was visiting the captain and driving the boat. Max was a little "excited" aka crazy (no surprise) and the captain had to tell him he couldn't turn the "pirate's wheel" so fast!

Here' we are in Taylors Falls in front of our tent. Yes, we went camping! (You gotta click on the picture to view it a little bigger and see Aaron's face. I love that crazy guy and his funny picture faces!) We had a great time even after the monsoon that soaked us all the last night. I did miss Bishop Derksen not being there with his truck full of stuff we usually forget (the broom, wood for the fire, hatchet, etc). I did not miss, however, his singing bright and early in the morning to wake us all up! Ha ha! I love you, Bishop! We miss you!

So there is a little snipit of the fun things we've been doing. I do have more pictures that I've taken and put in "The Book", but you will have to come visit to see them all. Are you getting the message? We want visitors! Minnesota is a really cool place in the summer with a ton to do. We've enjoyed it and want to share! Get ready for more cool pictures coming soon...re-upholstering the couch ourselves, Minnehaha Falls, and more!