Making Memories in Minneapolis

We recently took a mini-vacation to Minneapolis.
First stop… The Cheesecake Factory!

(Yes, we took home lots of leftovers :)

 

Happy baby just hanging out at the hotel

 

Next stop… Mall of America

Kara by a beautiful water fountain & flowers

 

Two pictures made up completely of Legos!

And a Lego robot/character – amazing!

 

Makenzie & Marie Grace getting their hair & nails done :)

Looking great!

 

Riding the “Orange Streak” at Nickelodeon Universe
Luke & Evan in front, then Jenna & Kara, then Paul & Ryan

There was a sign that said, “Orange you glad you braved the streak?!”
They all said they were, even Ryan, who rode it 3 times! :)

 

Kara & Dora

 

Lunch at Rainforest Cafe, right by the jaguar

 

Checking out the sharks at Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium at Mall of America

Ryan really likes turtles :)
(He was a little wet from touching the sting rays.)

 

Going for a ride

 

Couldn’t wait to build their Legos when we got back to the hotel

 

The boys just relaxing

 

Como Park
Evan & Kara were the only ones who braved the Soaring Eagle Zipline

 

Como Park bumper cars

 

Flavor Burst ice cream – hit the spot on a hot day!

 

Lovely and sweet, just like her shirt says :)

 

Go Twins! First Twins game for everyone but Dad & Mom!

 

Ballpark food… yum!

 

Evan, Jenna, Ryan & Dad

 

Kara, Mom, Mary & Luke

~

We had a great time and made lots of fun memories in Minneapolis!

Violin Recital

Jenna has been playing the violin for about 2½ years.
Here she is with her fabulous teacher, Maria, at her recital a couple of weeks ago.

Jenna spent many hours practicing this song.
The title is "Train", and when you hear it you will understand why. :)

Moving and Ryan’s Birthday

We’ve moved and are settling into our new home…

Boxes of kitchen stuff ready to be unpacked

 

We’re so thankful for this happy, easy-going baby girl…
Here she is sleeping in her new room/office with boxes of books piled high around her. :)

 

Evan’s pretty excited that he gets to mow at the new house! :)
(We’ll see how long his excitement lasts. ;)

 

Molly relaxing in her new favorite spot on the back porch

 

The lilac bushes we moved from our old house…
One from Jenna, one from Evan, one from Luke.

(The white flags are part of the training process for our underground dog fence.
Molly’s got it all figured out, but Honey is another story.
She is proving that it it is indeed difficult to teach an old dog new tricks.  ;)

 

We moved into our new house on Ryan’s 4th birthday and celebrated at Grandpa & Grandma VE’s house a few days later.

 

 

A few pictures of Mary…

All cozy after her bath :)

 

Just hanging out on the floor

 

So sleepy!

 

So serious!

 

So smiley :)

 

Home sweet home in the Valley