Three Birthdays

Collin turned eight on Aug. 1st. We celebrated with a party at the local bowling alley. He invited several friends from his class. Cami turned three on Aug. 23rd. We had a small party at home with family and a cake with special non-dairy frosting made by a local cake decorator. Finally, on Aug. 31st, I turned, um, well let's just say it's between 30 and 40 and leave it at that.

Craig and Collin made me a carrot cake with carrots they grew in our garden. Delicious!
What's in the bag?
Cami with her cake.
It's a rare treat for a lactose intolerant child to eat frosting. Jen D. did a fabulous job making this cake.
Collin made Cami a crown for her birthday. He thought this was a critical accessory.
Collin's bowling party.
The bowling alley has banned cake. We had a birthday pizza instead.
"So, do you think I can get this spare?"

Revisiting Nebraska

My grandparents lived their entire lives in northeast Nebraska. Consequently, I spend many childhood summers in the communities of Norfolk, Hadar and Pierce. The city park in Pierce was the site of many walks and playtime adventures. When my grandpa passed away this past July, I took my oldest son to revisit the areas where I had spent so much time as a child. I'm amazed at how much things change in 25 years.


Contemplation by Cox Lake, Pierce, NE.
Spire of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hadar, NE. My parents were married here in 1970.
Gazebo in Gilman Park, Pierce, NE.
Path through the birches.
Arboretum entrance.
Pathway through the cottonwoods.
Collin in a tree that has seen many seasons.
Boat launch on Cox Lake.
Pierce Museum.

Centennial Lakes Park

If you're on Facebook, this is basically a repeat of an album I have on there. Last year on a trip to Minneapolis/St. Paul, we accidentally stumbled upon Centennial Lakes Park. If you're ever in the Twin Cities area, take the France Avenue exit off I-494. Head north on France Ave. To your right, you'll see an office complex with a Macaroni Grill restaurant. Behind the restaurant is an urban oasis.

Summer So Far

Craig and the boys on their annual father/son campout with friends.
Cami with her only great grandparent.
My parents celebrated their 40th anniversary July 18th.
This is how I found Cami after her nap: underwear on head, shorts on arm, shirt around neck. I guess you have to have something to do while you're trying to go to sleep???
Fourth of July
Collin joins in the "polar bear" 7AM plunge at diabetes camp. He's in the middle wearing the plaid swimsuit.
Our camper at Lake Herman State Park.
Visiting Prairie Village in Madison, SD.

Just a spoonful of sugar . . .

does not help the medicine go down. Collin dislikes the taste of his liquid antibiotic. In order to make the medicine taking process more tolerable he came up with his own solution. He pinches his nose shut with a plastic clip. Apparently, this diminishes the unpleasant taste.

April Twin Cities Pics

Finally got around to posting pics of our most recent Twin Cities excursion. Wonderful trip (except for the hotel fiasco mentioned in the next post).

Collin and Evan in front of the waterfall at the Rainforest Cafe at the Mall of America.
The kids pony up to the bar for a photo. Evan holds the tail of his barstool.
Gorillas were our dining companions for the evening. We fit right in.

Giant tortoise at Underwater Adventures. Note the size of Cami's hands in comparison.
Entering the underwater tunnel.

This is as close as I'd care to get to a shark.
Or a ray, for that matter.
Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America.
The Jackson St. Roundhouse in St. Paul.
All the kids in our group plus two kids at heart.
The kids got to operate a signal.
Snowplow.
We boarded this caboose for a ride.
Some lucky little people got to ride in the engine.
The turntable.
Walking across the turntable.
Red roundhouse doors.
Car restoration in progress.
Two people can "drive" a fire truck.
Sometimes you need four people to drive a fire truck.
Passengers board fire truck for cruise around neighborhood.
Most of the time, however, one person can drive a fire truck.
Putting out fires.
College reunion plus one future college student.