Our lake

Well, it's not really just ours...but we live just across the street from it. It's Cobblestone Lake and it's a little over a mile around it. I'm really beginning to love this lake and the path around it. We have gone around it many, many times now since we've lived here. We've walked, scootered, ran, and biked, around it. It is so pretty and just a little slice of nature right in the middle of the 'burbs.

Yesterday the girls and I went on a milkweed search around the lake so we could feed our new catapillar. We finally found it over 3/4 of the way around. Now, we know which way to go next time! I took my camara with on our jaunt around the lake and here are some of the pictures.

My mom's visit

My mom and her husband Charles came to town from Washington this past week.

We took them to Underwater Adventure at the MOA. I love having the year pass to it. It is so ridiculously expensive normally but a few months back I just happen to be there when they were offering a year pass at 1/2 price.

I'm so glad I did it.

The new Seahorse exhibit is pretty cool. I love these Seadragons. Who else has thingies growing out of their heads that look exactly like seaweed? It's amazing. They get a WOW out of me everytime I see them.

"Oh no...Summer just got eaten by a...great white shark, great white shark swimming in the waaater....."

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Next we took them on a hike along the bluffs of the Mississippi River at Spring Lake Park Reserve.

It was gorgeous and it was right about here we saw a bald eagle fly by really close.

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Later on that day we took a quick trip to Stillwater. We hopped on a trolly that took us on a really cool tour of the town. We learned lots of history about the city and saw alot of the gorgeous mansions.

Surprisingly, the kids did great on the 45 minute trolly tour. Maybe that's because there was a trip to Teddy Bear Park looming over their heads... They earned it and had a great time. I have to admit I was glad they earned it because that park is so cool!

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Lastly we went to the Minnesota zoo (another great place to have a membership!) and the butterfly garden. The animals were especially active today. It was great, the bears were playing in the water, the leopard came right up to the glass and the warthogs were extra stinky. Summer's favorite was the giraffe. She could've stood there for hours watching that guy eat. And look at that tongue!

We all had a really great time. Thanks for coming!

me, two girls and a field of daisies...

Duluth part 3

The Amotts left Duluth early so Ande could get back for work. We stuck around and saw some of the sights down by the lift bridge. We ate lunch outside at Grandma's Saloon and Grill.

Look at our great view of the lift bridge!

Duluth part 2

After the guys rested up from their race we took off to see Gooseberry Falls in Two Harbors. The water felt great on our feet and the kids had a blast splashing around.

Duluth

This was the big race weekend for us and the Amott family. Ainsley, Kenzie and Lizzie ran the whipper snapper races for kids Friday afternoon. Then Ande and I ran the William A. Irvin 5K that evening. Bart and Rob ran the Garry Bjorklund 1/2 marathon Saturday morning. Everyone survived and did well.

Before the race.

Getting ready to run.

All winners!

Ande & I before our race.

Racing to the finish line.

The kids cheered us on.

Greeting the family after the race.

Ande has run alot of races. Since this was my first she wanted to run with me the whole way. (She's a great friend!) She encouraged and paced us the whole way. I ran the 3.2 miles in 33 minutes and 18 seconds. Ande got in 1 second before me. I was really proud of my time. I just wanted to do better than 40 minutes.

Here is Bart at about mile 13 on the 1/2 marathon. Somehow he had enough energy to wave hello to us cheering him on. He did a great job and we're all proud of him!!

I don't know if Rob wants me to post his picture or not but just to mention he ran his best time yet in the 1/2 marathon. Way to go Rob!

Ainsley's Talent Show

Ainsley perfomed in the school wide talent show today. She performed the song "Largo." I was so impressed with her poise and ability to do that in front of 600 students. She said she wasn't even nervous! Oh-and please excuse the little fight between Summer and Kenzie near the end of the video. No, I did not slap anyone I think someone started clapping too soon and it sounds like I'm abusing my children. I'm not I promise!