Fun at the pool

Mira, Amelia, and I have been taking advantage of my summer off and enjoying the local pool a few times a week. It's been such a fun summer for us all!

Amelia enjoying the sun during a safety break at the pool:
Hanging out near the lazy river and having a snack:

Fun at Grandma Diane and Grandpa Wayne's

While Michelle and I enjoyed dinner and the U2 concert on Saturday night, Mira and Amelia had a fun night at Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's.

Enjoying a scoop of ice cream

Hugging an ice cream cone

Mira modeling one of the many dresses she tried on that night.

 Thanks again, Mom and Wayne

Chris

Annual Dells/Waunakee Trip

Chris, the girls, and I took our annual 4-day trip to the Wisconsin Dells/Waunakee, Wisconsin area this past weekend. We had so much fun! We started a tradition about 5 years ago of staying a night at the Dells and then moving on to Waunakee to stay with John and Sarah Samuelson for two nights. We really have the best time, and our kids are getting to know each other, which means a lot to us.

Our first night was spent at Chula Vista Resort. It was our third year in a row at this resort and we really love it! They have quite a lot of different slides and pools, including a wave pool and a large indoor area in case of bad weather. Mira and Amelia really love it, particularly the wave pool. I love this wave pool because it's on the small side, so it's safer than those huge ones at other water parks.
Mira loved this waterslide:
And this one:
Hangin' in the lazy river:On to the Samuelson's house! We go there every year after the Dells and hang out for a couple of days. It's nice and relaxing and there is always a great dinner out for the adults. I really wish I had thought to get a photo of us all enjoying only the best sushi and gelato in the world!

The kids got right to business playing the Wii "Just Dance" game!
We took a lovely walk along Lake Mendota in Madison and stopped to feed the ducks and have a picnic lunch. Great meal and good exercise!
We swam in their neighborhood pool for a couple of hours. It was super fun to just soak up the sun and watch the kids swim!
Mira even found a neighbor of Sarah and John's to throw her in the water a few times:Then we headed back to their house for some grilling and Gigi's cupcakes. Heaven in a box, they are!

We are back home now, sad that our trip has ended. How about this hot weather??? It's steamy all inside and outside. A big thank you to John and Sarah for their hospitality (again!). We really loved staying with you again this year and look forward to next year!

Park Nicollet Move and Groove Fest

Chris's company sponsored a Move and Groove Fest this year. It's the first time for this event, and looks to be an annual event. It was all health oriented, even down to the culinary demonstrations, food served, and crafts made! Mira, Amelia, and I went and really had a nice time! A few of the highlights are . . .

Mira got her face painted. Boy, does she love having that done everywhere we go!
Amelia loved the bounce house!
Creating sun visors with bingo markers.
Creating works of art with fruit and vegetables.
Mira joined in on the fitness session.
Both girls picked a flower clip and a headband. Funny, but they both picked the exact same thing!
Mira's "complete" look from the festival, including face painted, new head band, and new sunglasses:
We encourage you all to try to come next year. It was really fun, and the Basillica location was nice and shady for a hot day!

Arbor Lakes Kidstock party

Our local Shoppes of Arbor Lakes had a Kidstock party a couple Saturdays ago. Mira, Amelia, and I went, and the girls had a fun time at the (very few) booths that were there.

Mira and Amelia got to try out instruments from Schmitt Music. Mira chose the trumpet, then later the flute.
Amelia chose the drums:
The girls also did a scratch art craft:
There was also face and hair painting, but the lines were so long and it started raining, that we didn't stay. To help Mira get over the disappointment, I took her to Claire's and let her pick out new earrings. She was so excited to finally change her earrings that she gladly took me up on it!

And last weekend, there was a magician for the kids at the Town Green. We were totally planning to go, but had scheduled an installation for the same time. We were able to just make it to the show and sat down when the magician said, "And for my last trick!" Mira was so disappointed! We sort of hung around after the show was over and the magician came over to us and asked if we liked the show. We explained that we arrived only to see the last trick. He was wonderful and started doing a private trick just for Mira and Amelia. It involved pulling red foam balls out of their ears. They loved it! Disaster averted!

Car wash day

Every summer, Mira and Amelia's daycare provider (Connie) plans a "car wash day" for all the kids. They really love this day and look forward to it all year. Car wash day is when each daycare child brings their favorite outdoor vehicle to Connie's house for a wash! She provides buckets of water, sponges, water sprayers, and soap, and the kids go to town cleaning their "vehicle." They all wear swimsuits and have an absolute blast!

Well, since the girls are home with me instead of at daycare, I asked Connie if they could be part of her car wash day anyway. She was lovely and said of course they could come! So yesterday, we packed up the girls' bikes and drove to Connie's to partake in the fun. They were thrilled to see their friends again and get their bikes squeaky clean.

Amelia sponging off her bike:
Mira and Amelia washing one of the daycare cars:
Ice cream treat on beach towels:
Thanks a million for the fun day, Connie!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July to everyone! We had a wonderful day at my aunt Debbie's house for her annual 4th of July Parade and Picnic Party! It was the first year we have been able to make it and we had a great time. Thanks so much to Debbie for hosting. We can't imagine how much work goes into this yearly event.

My sweet aunt Val Rae was in the parade, representing the Cannon Falls Beacon.
Mira waiting patiently for them to throw candy:
Cousin Casey and her nephew Noah in the parade:

Mom, Grandma, and Sara's mom Kathy watching the parade:
Spraying the parade participants:
Amelia got a little hot in the sun! Running after candy in the street is exhausting!
Bonnie, Jim, and Dawn. What a beautiful family!
Sara and Jeff enjoying the parade:
Every parade needs a clown!
Me and my sister Kelly:
Cousin Dawn's daughter Sophie was in the parade for her dance troupe:
Having a delicious lunch. What a beautiful crowd of people!
Slippin' and slidin':
Thanks again to Deb for a great day! We love you!