Minnehaha falls

Spur of the moment this morning we ( the kids and I) decided to go for an adventure hiking. I've been wanting to add more fun things to the summer as it dwindles away and my buddy will head to school. I thought minnehaha would be perfect and it was! We had so much fun! 

Of course, we didn't head out of the house until the crack of 11am. So we basically got there at lunch time. We had a potty break, decide to just eat lunch at sea salt, yummy but boy did it take forever! Surprise Max likes shrimp and Grace ate fish! Finally we headed out for some hiking! We had been there for pictures once and I'd been there with my cousin but I realized I'd never been past the 2nd bridge. The kids were up for it and Georgia, bless her, fell asleep in the hiking back back! So we ventured down the river after a bath in the creek at bridge 2, in our clothes! 

 They all did great with all the hiking and swimming! No complaining! We found sea glass down where the creek meets the Mississppi. It's so beautiful down there. Fun seeing the lock and Ford bridge. On a funny note, we got back to the car which was parked near the play ground. I was worried because I didn't realized we'd be there so long so I paid for 2 hours, 3.5 hrs later I was nervous to get back. We got there, the car was streaming hot so we opened the doors. I checked in with robb and he had a few errands to do so I said we could play at the park. It must be a new park and there is new sod surrounding it so they had sprinklers everywhere. All the kids wanted to do was run through them! So funny! I am so glad we have a dirty duds bag! The kids striped at the car quick and all rode home naked! They were worried people would see them!   

This just happened...

We discovered (tried to) that Gia's hair fits in pig trails! 

Also, Grace just asked what "in love" means. I said it's when you love someone/thing very much. She said " I'm in love my pants" and held up her new pajamas pants. 

Yep that just happened here

Camper cabin

The weekend of July 18-20th we went camping! Robb's birthday was on the 20th and that was what he wanted to do.  We just went to Elm Creek park reserve. It was an easy bike ride there. We also brought a car just in case. 

I'll admit I was nervous to bring the kids camping but this was a good compromise! Not in tents and not a long haul. But we really had fun! Plus we are getting the foundation set for future camping adventures. 

Friday we biked in and got our bearings. The cabin was great. It had a little deck and a screened in front porch then another door lead into the cabin. The cabin was simple but better than I expected. 2 Full size beds on the bottom bunks and twins on the top. And a nice picnic table all inside. Then the standard picnic table and fire ring outside. There was a latrine about a block away. But there was one! And on the way to the latrine there was a drinking fountain. Robb made sandwich pies and we tried to sleep.

 It was rough sleeping the first night. Really both nights. We just aren't used to all sleeping in the same room or in a strange place. The cabin was great through. 

Saturday we woke up, robb made breakfast and we went for a bike ride to the elm creek beach, the little man made lake in the park reserve. We swam and played n the sand. 

 By noon it started to get overcast. So we hopped on the bikes and headed to the nature center. Gia had a small nap while we ate our packed lunch. Then we looked around the nature center. 

Then we headed back to the cabin for some trail mix, duh we were camping!, and some soccer/softball. Robb made packs on the fire and we made hobo packs robb found on Pinterest. He also made bread in the Dutch oven! 

Oh! I almost forgot to mention outside the cabin the grounds were infiltrated with teeny tiny frogs. We had to walk gingerly and Gracie took one as a pet. For about an hour. Meet froggy akerson. There were multiple froggy Akerson's! She was very brave trying to hold them!

We hung out at the cabin living the sweet life until bedtime. We played some games we brought with and read some books then tried the whole sleeping thing again. I think the second night was better. 

Sunday morning

Robb was up early and walked the dogs, made oatmeal and we were packed up and home by 9am! We wasted no time! It was Robb's birthday and I wanted to make him a cake but he wasn't far behind us girls in the car. We got home all showered up and went to the new punch pizza in maple grove! A nap to follow all this excitement just made sense. Happy birthday, robby! We are excited to camp again.