We are keeping the trend of Echo (well all the kids) experiencing firsts going. Today it was ECHO’S chance to see her very first in theatre movie! This was a lesser known one called – Flushed Away. We had a few thrown binkies and had to pass her back and forth between Ken and myself a few times but all in all she did quite well! 

Snuggled in the theatre

Of course with the popcorn during the movie the consensus after was that NO ONE was hungry. So we postponed our dinner out and went back to the Novak’s to do a combo kids run and adults visit… oh and Ken napped in the middle of it all. Seriously I LOVE these kids… not only are they sweet and hilarious but Anthony and Andrew are total gems (when they want to be helpful or in Anthony’s case any time Echo is involved). We had a magic show and watched the kids run back and forth and in and out. 

Anthony and Echo

Andrew in the trash???

There is some thing so refreshing for the mind and soul when you visit with a good friend. I always feel better after an afternoon with Darcy. There is always something to talk about and humourous anecdotes to share. Seriously, her kids crack me up and I am rather sure the antics of mine do the same to her. 

Well after around 2 hours of visiting and kids running the tummies started growling. So after a leisurely rousing of Ken, Anthony getting kicked in a most pain creating place (accidentally) and a rather painful head collision we were ready to collect the shoes and head out. But not before taking a group shot! I cannot believe how our group of 9 look together… they seriously look like they fit together! 2 families… 9 kids… all varying shades of blonde and the majority boys… I think we’ve done good!

All 9! (Zander left)

Where to take 9 hungry kids and not break the budget? Well apparently McDonald’s has better prices here in Minnesota than they did in Canada. AND  they still have the 2 cheeseburger meal! Oh and chicken nuggets 20 for 5.00! So all 7 of us came to 20.oo and we all were full. I love the any size pop 1.00 deal during the summer! 

McDonald’s

As we were leaving Darcy commented that we must have looked like the show Sister Wives. One husband with his two wives. Especially since through the first half of the meal Ken sat on my side of the table with Trinity between us and then the other half next to Darcy (he moved so Emanuel could see the tv that was playing Rio) add to that all of our kids looking like they could be related and… well it was a funny thought!

The day looked to be on the verge of raining until we made our way to a park. Then it got hot and sunny. Which worked perfectly with our plan to wear out the kiddos. Actually I would have to say this was about THE BEST park we have come across locally in Minnesota. Though it is closing down on the 20th so they can begin construction on what they call a splash pad here (splash park)… so NEXT summer… I am pretty sure everyone can guess where we will be meeting the Novaks!

Swinging

TRAIN

Trinity the pirate

Ken declared our time at the park at an end and then promptly began a soccer scrimmage on the green behind it. It was wonderful to watch him go all out playing with the kids though! And they made sure EVERYONE got to kick the ball around a little… Echo included.

Dog pile on Ken

Seriously though, Echo has found her perfect man in Anthony… she has him completely wrapped around her little finger. I would love to bring him home! 

Echo and her man

We said good bye after that and headed back home, light supper and then tv before bed… no butterfly yet but Zander did a quick draw of our chrysalis that is now at the bottom of our cup. It wiggled its way off its hanging thread. Ken has his gaming night tonight so of course I am solo. Which means early bed for the kids and then stitching up a storm! I feel a lot better having time with a friend and letting the kids get their time in with the Novak boys. We are already making plans for Saturday. Yup we are in for the long haul!!! 

Another Kohl’s clearance! With shoes I found in a bag we brought south

July 18

Of course I took TONS of pictures on Jimmie’s special day… here is more to enjoy!

Just the girls waiting outside Karyn’s house

The world’s largest dinosaur from below

Information plaque

Pre lunch photo

Post church meandering

Educational fun

Karyn and Ken

Authoritative pointing finger

Me and my brother

Apparently pollinating flowers?

My brother

Bones

Mammoth under attack

How much do we weigh?

Water

And yet another dinosaur

Cousins

Us girls

Echo and Cousin Veronika

July 18

Ok ok I taunt and taunt and… you have to wait ONE MORE ENTRY to read our biggest adventure… I be evil! Anyway Wednesday… well it is a very SPECIAL Wednesday… this is the day we celebrate my nephew Jimmie’s 7th birthday!

Waiting for Daddy so we could all leave for the museum

But first Karyn, Veronika, Ken and myself with kids in tow had some before party plans. We started off at the Little Church. I think Veronika, Karyn and I all remember times we had visited this place in our childhoods. I was definite… we HAD TO take the kids there. It actually is meant to seat 6 adults but our little ones fit in quite nicely. Emanuel was quick to  take the pulpit and Echo LOVED the small scale seating. 

Gotta love the rebuild story AND the amateur attempt at making it read dirty

Little Church

Future minister?

Just her size

I absolutely love the landscape in Drumheller and valley. There is something very timeless about it. 

The Badlands

Me

Gavin and Emanuel

After the church it was time for lunch at A&W where we took up half the seating in the restaurant. 

We do fill a restaurant

After lunch we split the kids between all 3 cars for novelty sake and then headed down the road for the main attraction – Tyrell Museum and Jimmie’s birthday. I remember many trips to this particular museum, my brother was a total dinosaur encyclopedia growing up! We met right up with the birthday boy, my brother, sister in law and Gammie. With the hurried phone calls confirming that Grandma and Grandpa Mike were running late and the boys running wild we opted to head into the museum and let them catch up (thank you Ted for the free pass in by the way!!).

Outside the museum

We saw dinosaurs, dinosaurs and… well other stuff… all on fast forward and with the same chaotic feel as herding kittens. BUT everyone had a blast!

ROAR

Fishy

Echo spent the majority of her time with Aunty Holly as Trinity monopolized Aunty Karyn.

Aunty Holly and Echo

We measured kids against a giant dinosaur leg…

All 6 kids

And of course had a family photo taken…

Extended family

Just the Reinsch-Johnsons

And then it was onto the gift shop where each of the kids got free reign (within reason) to pick a present… There was quite the variety… a plush dinosaur (pink), a geology set… etc etc and yours truly got herself a monogrammed blanket with a carrying strap (with Canada on it) since there was no plushy critters with the museum’s info emblazoned on it.

Shopping

After that it was back into the cars (or in the birthday boy’s case the cab they rented for the day) and onto the giant dinosaur statue that overlooks the splash park (slippery) and the fountain (safer). So that we could… SPLASH… seriously any town we can we splash!

Dinosaur themed of course

Miss Echo (who also biffed it and bit her lip!)

Fountain

Splashy

Don’t forget present time! There were some special gifts to the boys and girls from their cousin as well…

Gift time

Echo with her special Strawberry Shortcake set

And then… ICE CREAM! Just across the street and everything!

In the parlor

The partakers

With ice cream and heat and a long day with an early start it was time to say good bye… tearful and huggy but it was done and off we started on our next big adventure… check back for our next entry where I will finally divulge it!!! 

Sleepy