Duluth at the beginning of June

We took a family trip up north at the beginning of June. We spent one night in Duluth and then continued our trip northward. In Duluth, we stayed at a hotel with an indoor water park. The kids loved playing in the bigger pool. Mark even convinced Ella to ride down the big water slide on a double tube with him. He couldn't convince her to go down again, though. James was a little afraid of all the activity at the smaller kids wading area. There was too much noise and water spraying for his likes. The next morning after more water fun, we ate lunch at Grandma's and then had some time to explore Canal Park.

A highlight of the hotel stay: Ella slept in a bunk bed--way up high!!! She was thrilled and I was a little worried she might fall out. She did great!

The hotel was great. They even set up some outside activities the next morning. Here, Ella is enjoying a ride down a fun bouncy slide.

James wasn't so sure about all of the noise at the water park.

Ella loved trying out the big kid activities.

Daddy, James, and Ella feed the birds. James giggled and giggled as the gulls flew around them!

James taking in the sights.

A Harbor View

James with Mommy

All four of us!

Okay....I have a weakness, I love feeding the seagulls!!

More feeding of the seagulls!

James is all smiles for time outs!

James has discovered how to use the water dispenser on our refrigerator. When we purchased the appliance we didn't have any children yet--a lock button was not on our list of needs. Well, we need one now! Recently, James found great joy in attempting to fill a toy bottle with water from the dispenser. After he continued to play with the dispenser after being told no, I decided it was time to give him his first time out. So I told him he was having a time out and set him on the stool. He was very excited and very proud to be put on our special time out stool. I guess he felt all grown-up--just like big sister, Ella! I couldn't resist snapping few pics to capture his delighted grin. I am sure there will come a day when a time out won't thrill him....if not, we're in trouble!

Watermelon---Yuck!

James is not really a fan of eating....unless the food we are trying to feed him includes chocolate or a cookie. He tried his first slice of watermelon at our family picnic following the parade and it wasn't a hit.

A tentative and cautious first bite....

Not so sure about the taste....

No more watermelon for James!

Sharleen gets a giggle from James!

The Parade!

James, Grandpa Jim and Great-Great Uncle Tom I love this picture: What is it coming down the parade route that could cause Grandpa and James to look so interested??
Why....it's a bunch of restored tractors!

James happy with some loot!

Ella and cousin Trenton waiting patiently.

Hal and Sharleen smile for the camera!

The Ferris Wheel

We sure have been keeping busy around here and I'm having a hard to believing that it is the middle of June already! Where have the weeks gone? Between my planning for VBS & summer school, Mark's gardening and Ella's favorite past-time of playing in the sprinkler, we have still found some to time to enjoy a few local festivals. The start of the small town festival season at the beginning of June is Cheesefest. We enjoyed the food, rides, fireworks, parade and especially the company. We were able to take in some of the sights and sounds with family visiting from California--we were so glad to see you, Hal and Sharleen!

Ella getting ready for her very first Ferris Wheel ride with her "Greatest Uncle" Hal!

She was just beaming with joy and Hal and Ella had plenty of time to chat while they waited for the ride to start!

James was wide-eyed at the all the sights and sounds and he really enjoyed having more than a taste of cotton candy!

We stayed for the fireworks at end of the night. Both kids enjoyed snuggling up with Mom and Dad to watch the beautiful colors and the "ooing and aahing". By the time we got home they were both sound asleep...too much excitement for them! It was the quietest, easiest bedtime we have had in a long time!!!

Ella rides the big yellow school bus!

I have been meaning to get this posted...but I'm still a little new at this blog thing so there is a bit of a learning curve.

Ella finished her last week of preschool at the end of May. A highlight of the year was the school field trip to Oxbow Park which included Ella's very first ride on a school bus. I was lucky enough to be a parent volunteer assisting with the trip and got to wittness all of Ella's excitement and joy first hand. She told EVERYONE for the next few days that she got to ride a "big yellow school bus with no seat belt!" It was a big, big deal for her. I was able to get a short video of Ella and her friend on the bus. Her friend was just as excited and chatty as Ella was! My favorite part of the little video clip is when the bus is about to take off and Ella realizes that the bus is starting to move. I wish that I hadn't stopped taping as Ella's eyes got even bigger when the bus actually pulled ahead. So...make sure you are watching carefully at the very end of the clip to see her wide-eyed excitement!

Smilely James!

Isn't he cute!!

Memorial Day Weekend Adventures

Big surprise....I am already behind on this blogging thing. We have had a busy last few weeks and it is time to get a few new pictures and adventures posted!



Our friends Stacie, Scott from Colorado joined our family for a few days over Memorial Day weekend. We kept very busy while they were here. We enjoyed the carousel at LARK toys, enjoyed ice-cream from the cheese factory at Nelson, WI, hiked in Forestville State Park, toured Mystery Cave, went to a local zoo, and even joined in on some Memorial Day observances. We also found some time to just relax at home. It was great to get some time with our friends....we wish that we didn't live so many miles apart! Stacie, Scott and Zach, thanks for spending some time with us!!

Scott and Zach at LARK toys.

Mark and sleepy James ready for a ride.

Stacie, Zach and Ella strolling down a trail.

Stacie and Scott posing for a pic!

Escaping a few rain drops and enjoying some yummy ice-cream.

Ella striking a pose!

Here's our wiggly group at the farm. Zach really enjoyed sitting on various tractors!

Ella, James & Zach sitting with Grandpa Jim. Notice Zach and Ella holding hands. They had a lot of fun playing together and Ella misses having Zach here!