June 6-8

There is something about the Canadian Flag that the girls just LOVE colouring. Over and over and OVER again!

But we also did our Summertime School Goals. The twins are programming based and the two littles are reading based. I am hoping if we cannot accomplish them in the summer span of time we can AT LEAST make inroads on them.

And then for the BIG excitement… Uncle Sean is here for a short visit after doing a training session down in Minneapolis. The kids were over the moon and even Echo remembered Uncle Sean on sight!

He brought gifts…

And had a nap… it was just like being back up north. It did rather throw school out the window… willingly! Nothing like a Canadian guest to perk everyone up!

Saturday afternoon was a pre planned (before Sean’s trip) visit over to Chris and Renee’s house to play with the boys. They have a terrific backyard with a playset not unlike ours.

We had baby time…

Drinks for the adults…

And lovely retro toys brought out of the crawl space for the girls to share with Renee.

While the guys were bbqing we also had sparklers and some small fireworks to set off. Dinner was delicious and the kids were all sad to have to say good bye.

Sunday morning was an equally important engagement… we were expected to make it in time to watch Anthony play in part of his tournament. They played hard and won their match.

The kids had a blast playing with Aidan…

And we got some amazing action shots of one of our favourite soccer players! Anthony is playing even better this year. Training has paid off and it is amazing watching him run his hardest and play his best game after game!

Then home to spend the evening with Sean. The best of both worlds – outside fun and a friend to sit around at home and catch up with!!

April 10-11

Thursday was a rather special day. Family field trip! The first on our Spring/Summer odyssey. We packed everyone up and went downtown to the Mill City Museum. Did you know that Minneapolis was once the Mill Capital of the world? In fact, the one we were in… well the remains of it… was the largest briefly (4 months) until they built a bigger one across the lake. We also learned that the waterfall that ran the mills was gotten from the Native Americans, the flow changed and often even dirtied up. What a history!

We did have a blast. We came at the perfect time and were able to watch the video and take the elevator tour pretty much alone. Though the elevator scared the crud out of the kids.

Waiting for the movie to start

Ken went all the way to the top of the building and took some amazing pictures.

I think they had the most fun at the water lab… but then who doesn’t when you can play with water and wood.

Of course, I made sure to stop and take pictures of the kids in their Aunty Holly finery. An early Easter present. She does have some great taste.

The day was breezy but lovely so we spent some more time outside afterwards.

Friday was a special half day of school… after all, Nana and Baba came home! So spelling tests and then fun in the sun.

Emanuel even helped out with snacks and lunch for his Scout achievement! FRUIT SALAD!!

We ended the day with a family walk. Just the 7 of us, down the street to the walking path. Maybe not a lot of green but it was a lovely walk. At one point the frogs were so loud that when a friend called Ken he had to walk back the path to hear the call!

It always feels absolutely amazing to have so much family outing time. Healthy Kenny is a FUN Kenny and he is stepping right up and willing to go to these events I line up. So pleased.

Enjoy the picture overflow from our Mill City Museum trip!!! Check out their site HERE.

WARNING TONS OF IMAGES!!

Let’s skip forward in time to today – our very special and relatively new tradition, going to the downtown Minneapolis Macy’s and seeing Santa. We had to alter this new tradition from last year and go without Baba who is on contract work until he leaves for his next big adventure – Roatan… but we managed.

Ready for Santa and the debut of the matching Christmas dresses!

We shot for around noon to miss the rush of potential school trips and the evening or weekend visitors. There was no line up to get in and a minimal line up at the actual wait for Santa.

Santaland entrance

There was lots to see… elves and singing trees… penguins and squirrels. Echo was crazy excited about it all and the kids (even though this is the same display as the year previous) still had eyes wide open spying things they had missed last year. The twins taking great joy in reading the signs and messages themselves.

I love the candlelight setting on my camera

Santa was AMAZING… his outfit was spectacular, his white gloves pristine. The kids all climbed up… well except Echo who was TOTALLY unsure about the whole thing. The pictures were varied and the expressions wild…

But we picked the one that was the most… well… them…

The official copy

After they chatted and covered all the main Santa related topics: behaviour, wishes, whether or not school was going well (they instantly answered YES!). It was time for buttons.

Once Echo got her buttons she was totally ready for Santa… she gave him a huge hug when he asked. It was ADORABLE. I am so glad I managed to snap a quick picture of that!

Echo and her after hug

After Santa we went over to the giftshop and wrote short letters for Santa.

I actually think is this is my favourite that Ken took of me

That left family photos…

I love the really candid ones

And a chance to snap pictures of some off the old fashioned Christmas card styled wall hangings on the way out.

We also took the ESCALATOR on the way down to the elevator to get us to our parking lot level. Trinity was able to get off solo but needed help getting on. The big surprise was Miss Echo being willing to STAND and ride on a couple escalators (there were like 4 or so).

After such a busy visit with Santa we went over to Calver’s for a delicious and absolutely filling lunch! Amazingly enough we came out with FIVE clean kids!! I am not sure how that happened. Nana took us on an amazing Christmas themed adventure. I am so glad I was able to get pictures through it all!!!

So Merry Almost Christmas!!! and enjoy the rest of the massive number of images!!!

With angel bear

Action hair shot!

Even elves go to school

Bitty chicks

Yes yes on the phone with Trinity doing a selfie

Mood lighting on the phone

Squirrel!

YAY TOGETHER

…and done!!!