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Father's Day 2013

 

Photos from another Father's Day at the Landing. We were lucky to have the entire family in town so we could celebrate all the Dads in our life.

Cheers to Ice Cream!

Adele

One of my favorite pics of Adele.  

4th of July Pics from Clear Lake

Winston won the award for most patriotic this year (this was his him giving his acceptance speech below).  Great fireworks as always, that we got to enjoy from one of the best spots on the lake (Didi and Papi's front porch).  The 4th wouldn't be complete without our annual shrimp boil. We also got to enjoy the Clear Lake 4th of July parade for the first time with the kids this year.  

Nessie Sighting on Lake Nokomis

Every year there is a traveling 'Loch Ness Monster' at one of the lakes in Minneapolis.  Well, this month, it happens to be in Lake Nokomis and we pass it every day, going to and from Veda's summer camps. I enjoy making up stories about Nessie whenever we drive by it.  Veda is always quick to correct me that it's actually just dinosaur bones (she's not alive anymore because she was killed by molten lava when the volcanoes erupted).  Either way, it's a fun conversation starter with Veda.

Just Because...

You rarely see the two of us in a picture together on this blog (or on Facebook for that matter).  This is from last Friday night, where we had a babysitter and got to watch Tim Mahoney play at The Landing in Clear Lake.  Nice little night away from the kids (now that we have a great babysitter lined up in Clear Lake.)

Winston's World

Kathy and I don't remember Veda & Adele being quite as active as Winston, but they also didn't have the luxury of a fenced in back yard to roam freely.  In either case, Winston's World (aka - the back yard) is full of fun every day.  From mowing the lawn, wading in the water table, to digging mulch and watering the yard...every day is a full of energy (oh yeah, and don't forget the sunscreen!)

Face Painting at Edina Arts Fair

Making Good Use of the Backyard

 Veda in the shade reading a book on her iPad.

 Veda reading books on the second level of the play structure.

Reading books to Winston

Veda and Winston have started to get really close.  He likes to give her hugs a lot and once in a while tried to sit on her lap and have her read him a book.  It's good practice for Veda as she is just starting to read (not that Winston would know if she is making it up or not).

Cool Glasses like Uncle Ryan

This is from a couple weeks back when Uncle Ryan was in town.  Winston was diggin his new shades (and the blue thing is one of veda's headbands - can't have enough accessories)...

Trips to MSP Zoo

The zoo trips have been pretty frequent this summer as Mpls has a really great zoo.  We took the bait on the up charge for the Dinosaur exhibit and it turned out to be pretty cool.  Veda especially loved it. Some day Winston will get to run free with the girls at the zoo, but for now, we have enough trouble keeping track of two kids running around amongst the crowds.

Pony Rides in Clear Lake

One down fall of raising kids in the city is that 'farm animals' are typically only found in zoos (at least that's what our kids think).  Never the less, they absolutely love every opportunity they get to interact with animals of all kinds (especially ponies).

Happy Happy Birthday Nana!

Sorry we couldn't celebrate with you yesterday but thrilled we get 4 days with you this week. The girls can't wait to throw you a party! xoxo

Wet n' Wild

There are a couple neighborhood parks within walking distance of our place that have free wading pools. This has been handy as it gives our babysitter an easy activity with the girls in the mornings. Yay summer!

First Day of School

I took this when I came to pick Winston up from his first day of school at Fraser last month. He is slowly adjusting but you wouldn't know from the dramatics at drop off time. At least his eyes aren't red and puffy when we pick him up now.

I Dig Reading

While Veda was in Iowa City with Nana and Bull she participated in the public library's summer reading program. She was thrilled to get her worksheet and return to claim her prizes throughout her stay. I'm thrilled that Nana is her private tutor;)

Solo Mission

 Children's Museum with her new friend Joe.

 Happy to keep Bull company while playing games on his computer.

 Playing in the fountain downtown IC.

 

 Milking cows at the IC Farmers Market

A special brunch with Nana and Bull at Iowa River Power Company.

 

Veda got to spend an entire week alone with Nana and Bull in Iowa City. She attended vacation bible school at St. Andrews just like I did when I was little. Everyday was an adventure. When she and Nana weren't out having fun she was keeping Bull company while he was laid up in bed with his broken foot.

Nature Walk?

Todd took Veda on her first golf outing last weekend. It was a three par course and they walked it. After the 4th hole she decided she was tired... until Todd told her it was a nature walk and then she loved the next 5 holes. Predictable.

Minneapolis Parks

I can not tell you how awesome the parks are here. They are everywhere and they are clean and have something for everyone. I can't wait until the wading pools open. Almost every neighborhood park has its own wading pool and there are at least three within walking distance of our house.

Update: So two days after writing this post Todd showed me a USA Today poll that just came out ranking Minneapolis as having the best parks system in the US. I knew it couldn't just be me. This place rocks!