The girls' first trip to Duluth!

 

What a great weekend up in Duluth!!  We did so much while we were there!  Lots more pics in the picasa web album!  We left Friday morning, got into Duluth around noon and checked into our hotel near Spirit Mountain.  Then we headed down to Canal Park where we had lunch at the Canal Park Brewery and then checked out the shops including Medium Control, where the girls got their Watson the Cat shirts.  The girls were anxious to get back to the hotel and swim, so we headed back for some pool time.  For dinner, we went to Bent Paddle Brewery where we found Nate of Nate Dogs and listened to a fun blue grass band.  Our last stop of the night was the Fitgers deck where Chuck met up with some work friends.  The girls and I hung out for a bit and then walked the boardwalk and got some ice cream.    We crashed after a full day of fun!
The girls really wanted to rent one of the bikes (picture above) and so that was the first thing we did Saturday morning.  We biked out to the lift bridge and watched as it went up and the big ships sailed by.  Then we walked out to the light house and got a few cliche pictures that you have to get when you're in Duluth!  It was time to head back up towards our hotel to Spirit Mountain where we rode the Timber Twister coaster and the zip line down the slopes.  It was so fun....even little Ruby did them both!  Back to the hotel for some more pool time.
Next we dropped Chuck off at his event for work and the girls and I drove out to Park Point for some beach time.  It was so hot and humid that it actually felt good to walk into the lake a little.  Maggie actually went all the way in and dunked her head!  Burrrr!
Another busy day!  We all slept great and got up in the morning to head home and recuperate after our fun busy vacation!  

Summer Fun!

 We went to the Eden Prairie Carnival and had fun on the rides!  The whole family rode the tilt-a-whirl together and I was quickly reminded of how much fun it was, but I don't remember the queasy feeling I had when getting off the ride........I must be getting old! 

The girls did Vacation Bible School the first week school was out.  Here we are stopping for ice cream on the way home! 

We met Toni and the kids at Round Lake Park a few different times for lots of fun on the playground and beach!

Maggie and Ruby sitting in Grandpa's chair at work while we dropped off some lunch for Dad.

Lots of fun at the cabin!  The girls are both old enough now to jump off the back of the boat when we stop to swim (with their life jackets on).  They also love being pulled on the tube, playing in the sand, sitting by the fire, and walking up to the playground. 

GYMNASTICS!!

More fun on the boat!

Happy 6th Birthday Maggie!

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

5 years old

                                                                                                                                     

6 years old

 

I love this caring and thoughtful little girl so much!!  So proud of her!!
She made her own shirt this year with Dad.

 She had a great b-day party in our backyard with cousins and friends! 

Happy 80th Birthday Great Grandma Helen!

Great Grandma Helen is a true example of the old saying "You're only as old as you feel".  She does not slow down and is always on the go.  She celebrated her 80th birthday with a party in New Richmond at the American Legion where tons of friends and family members came.  It was great to see so many of my cousins that I haven't seen for awhile.  Happy Birthday Great Grandma Helen!

Last Day of kindergarten!

Maggie had a great year at Glen Lake Elementary!  Miss Helfinstine was an excellent teacher and she learned so much!  It was so fun to watch her sound out words and realize that she could read!  She is ready for 1st grade!!  The last day of school was extra special for Maggie- it was "beach day" and she also got to celebrate her birthday in her classroom!