Happy Independence Day!

In the 100 degree 4th of July heat, we escaped to Prior Lake for some fun in the water, with an occasional break for a snack of two. All in all, they had a great day, and even celebrated by staying up late to discover fireworks are really, really loud. (And then going inside and watching My Little Pony instead of fireworks).

Daddy taking a shot.

Anna's Revenge

Ready! Fire! Aim!

Jumps!

Swimming

Laura is a little Mermaid

Lake Chip, 2012

With Logan and Mandi already at Lake Chip, and Laura and Anna were excited as ever to visit. We didn't even leave Savage when Anna told us it was taking too long to get there. But once we got there, everyone has had a good time.

The Loons came for a visit.

The Cousins

Logan Crawling Around

Anna driving the boat with Mimi

Anna enjoying the captain's chair

Laura gets her turn... look out for other boats!

Wonder what this lever does?

I got this all figured out.

Trinona 2012

This past weekend was the Trinona race in Emily's hometown of Winona, Minnesota. The day before the race, they have a kids triathlon ans Laura's now old enough to participate.

Swim!

Bike!

Run!

Laura had a blast, and she did great.

After a race, a well deserved rest.

In 2 years, I am sure Anna will be ready to race. She even made her own Trinona. Even though it was 90 degrees, she insisted on keeping the swim cap on.

It is a hometown family affair for Emily's extended family. 4 relay teams, 1 short course, and 2 long course participants.

I'm done & Emily's ready to head out for her leg of the relay.

Who's that guy?

Lake Chip, Kites, and Training

Over the Memorial Day weekend we visited Mimi & Bumpa at Lake Chip. The kids had a blast, even if the water was a chilly 60 degrees.

It was breezy, so kite flying was a popular activity.

Anna loved running around the yard with her kite.

I was tiring just watching them.

Laura got to fly her kite too.

I didn't know a tutu was party of the kite flying attire, but clearly it is.

Anna made dinner for herself - spinach she picked from the garden, blackberries, strawberries, and peach yogurt. She made the recipe herself! I tried it, and it was very good. Good work Anna!

Next weekend is the Trinona triathlon, so Laura's been practicing. She did her first bike/run brick yesterday.

Eclipse 2012

Despite a mostly cloudy day, the clouds parted for the partial eclipse. We took the kids to a park with a good view of the northwest sky and I showed them the sun was being eaten by the Moon.

Near the peak.

A sunset eclipse is probably a once in a lifetime experience.

The kids were do excited... to be on the swings.

A celestial alignment of the sun, moon, and Laura's hair.

The li'l Devil

The girls love to play dress up. Usually they are princesses, but occasionally they change things up. This morning, Anna found her li'l devil dress. Of course it occurs to me that maybe she didn't dress up, and just forgot to take off her real clothes.

No, they aren't Prada.

She ambushed be behind the rocking chair.

The li'l devil is sneaking off with Laura's clay thingy.

Nothing to see here daddy.

Not sure what this expression is, but it fits her. (Red-eye left in for effect)

She know's she's the cutest little devil.

Puddles & Braids

Spring is here, and so are puddles in the street (and in the basement)!

Anna was very excited to get her rain boots on and go puddle hopping.

Nothing like some ice cold puddle water to get all over your clothes. Just like the honey badger, 'Anna don't care'.

Darn cute.

Born to puddle jump.

One day, Emily gave Laura some nice tight braids in her hair.

Laura hamming it up, as always.

She looks all grown up.