All aboard.....

Steve got a fishing boat this summer after about 2 years of looking for what he wanted for the right price. It is big enough for the whole family to ride in comfortably. He took it down the Rum River for the first time while Mom and Dad were here. The Rum River runs through our neighborhood and it is so peaceful when you are on the river. You don't even know there are houses around you. We love it!

Valley Fair

Every year Medtronic has it's company picnic at Valley Fair. This was the first year we were able to go and the first amusement park Natalie has been too. Mom and Dad went with us too which was a huge help and a ton of fun. All the girls stuck together for the smaller rides and the boys went on all the roller coasters. Nate found someone who liked the wild rides as much as he does - Papa! They rode The Wild Thing thirty times! We had a great time!

Happy 2nd Birthday Natalie!

Friday, June 26th was Natalie's 2nd birthday. After a day of exploring Minneapolis with Nana and Papa, we had cake and ice cream at home with a few close friends. Natalie enjoyed the cake this year (last year she screamed when it got on her fingers). She picked out chocolate frosting with a rainbow on it for decoration. She got a lot of great gifts including a tricycle so that she can ride bikes like the big kids!

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and the Wienery

June 26th - On Friday we left the house and headed into Minneapolis to do some exploring. Our first stop was the Farmer's Market where we picked up some fruit and vegetables for the weekend. Then we headed to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The garden is home to the famous "Spoonbridge and Cherry" sculpture. It is a beautiful, 11 acre garden in the city with many amazing sculptures and wonderful landscaping. After wandering through the garden we were on a mission to find a restaurant (diner/dive) that Dad had heard about on the Food Network. There's a show called "Diners and Dives" that featured a place in Minneapolis called The Wienery. They are known for their hotdogs, brats and homemade fries. It is definately a dive and very small, but their fries were very good!

Lunch & Fiddle Camp Concert

Mom & Dad came at the end of June to spend some time with us and to celebrate Natalie's birthday. Nate had Fiddle Camp all week in Anoka, so on Thursday we dropped him off at camp, went to lunch and then went back to hear the concert. Nate spent 8 days at Fiddle camp and learned some of the most difficult music he's had so far. It was amazing to hear what the kids could play after only 8 days together. We were very impressed!

Picking Strawberries

June 24 - Strawberry season has arrived in Minnesota! We have been anxiously waiting to pick strawberries because we are out of jam and have been for a while! Mom & Dad were here for a visit so they got to help out too. I loaded up the girls - Sarah, her friend Abby and Natalie - and mom and I took them to the berry farm. We got there bright and early and managed to pick 25 lbs before 9:00 am. Later that morning we made jam and strawberry pie and of couse ate quite a few. Strawberries are my favorite fruit - especially fresh picked!