A Summer Vacation in Minnesota

A WONDERFUL vacation to Minneapolis that included: Campfires. Movie night. Bowling. Petting Buddy (the guinea pig) and feeding Crystal and Liz (the geckos). Ice cream truck. Watching cousins play hockey. Swimming. Zoo. Trampoline. American Girl doll. Sleeping through a hardy-midwest thunderstorm. FISHING!!! Bowling. Painting bird houses & decorating flip flops.

What didn't we do??!?

Loved every moment and I know Maggie misses it something terrible. We were spoiled like crazy by Aunt Red, Uncle Dave, and cousin Grace & Claire.

Petting Buddy the guinea pig with Grace.



Indulging in Aunt Red's fantastic arts and craft projects!!!



A moment with the kids at a fountain in Edina that I actually have fond memories of growing up.



Aunt Red, Grace, and Claire in a balloon ride at Mall of America. You should have seen Aunt Red's face coming out of the flume with the girls - PRICELESS!!!



Maggie in a chicken costume, which is of course ironic because I call these guys chicken all the time. I was with Aunt Red when we purchased this costume 5-6 years ago in wine country.



SSSSSSSSSSSSnnnnnaaaakkkke! Grace is a champ. She spots these gardener snakes in the yard and doesn't have a worry about picking them up. Maggie and Charlie didn't really know what to do, especially because Sarah and I are SCREAMING in the background a mile away! Oh lordy. And another one graced our presence at the zoo on our picnic.



Meet Anna, Maggie's first ever American Girl Doll. She was named Anna because that's what we almost named Maggie. Maggie is sooooo smitten with her new doll, and quiet frankly - so am I!!!!



Swinging with cousins Grace & Claire.




4513 Woodale Avenue, Edina, MN 55424. The house I grew up in, from birth til I headed off to college...



An incredibly loving and wonderful visit!!! A must for next summer's vacation list. HUGE thanks to the Kuipers!!!