Sightseeing - What's a Scenic View?

Atop the bluffs overlooking Winona.
Showing Grandma the city.

David got to get out to see the view after he competed his fit about what shoes he was going to wear. Something in common with his cousin Greta : )

Stop to look at Lake Pepin on our way home.

David wanted us to explain again what a scenic route and a scenic view are.

Mikko's rosy red cheeks on a hot day.

I wanted to get a cute picture of Mikko w/ the bluffs in the background, but an ant was crawling on the rock which made our photo-op a challenge.

There was a hand water pump at the overlook - a huge hit with the kids, it was HOT HOT HOT.

Grandma workin' hard.

Mikko dancing again - he was so funny this weekend, shaking his booty any time he got the chance.

Grandma Extraordinaire

We are going to the Twins game tonight so I asked if Carol could watch the boys. She was already watching Leah, but didn't flinch for a second about taking all 3 of them on. Even after I told her I could try and work something else out, she still insisted.

Seriously the best Grandma! She loves her grandkids so so much and loves spending time with them. Couldn't have a better mother-in-law : )

Williams Family Get-Together

Most of the kids - mine were actually fully cooperating for a picture! Yeah Me!!

Homemade Ice Cream - a Williams family tradition.

Diane and Joe even brought the bouncie. They kids were all so sweaty - it was a hot one.

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After getting back from our drive and them swim lessons, we headed over to Sarah and Randy's for a get together with all of Carol's family. There were lots of people there, good food, and lots of back yard fun. Now I'm ready for bed!
And so are the boys.

Another trip to the Falls!

Books with Grandpa.
Still playing with the minnows.

Digging for worms to go fishing.

David caught the tiniest perch you've ever seen!

He also got a trout.

At Sha Sha in the bird cage.

Dinner w/ Grandma and Grandpa at Sha Sha.

The famous chipmunk.

The boys feeding chipmunks.
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I headed up to Int'l Falls on Friday with David. Mikko had spent the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa and had the best week. He was just perfect the whole time for them, except having a fever (we are calling it Minnow Fever) one night. They kept him so busy all week.I don't think he missed the rest of us at all because he had so much fun. He got lots of mosquito bites but lots of love. David had a super fun weekend with Grandpa - driving the lawnmower, fishing and playing. I got to go and meet little Wendel and got a training walk in. We missed Daddy though.

4th of July!

We all made tie-dyed t-shirts the day before. I kinda thought Carrie was crazy when she told me the idea. 4 kids with permanent dye made me nervous. But, the only person who stained their good clothes was Carrie : ) They turned out SO cute and we all wore them on the 4th. I had even bought the boys cute red/white/blue clothes that I skipped putting on them. We posed in front of the Sauna.

Jim and Fox in the spirit!

Damon and I walked all the kids to the beach to take the dogs swimming.

At the beach.

Carrie spiked Mikker's cute hair.

Little Blondie!

The kids were obsessed with minnows. Mikko even learned to say the word Minnow. Those poor minnows were manhandled all day. Greta even had them swimming in the swimming pool.

At the parade. It was HOT HOT HOT!

Rosy red cheeks. Mikko loved watching the parade and sat still the whole time.

Damon and Charles were good sports to wear their rainbow tie-dyed shirts to the parade : )

Waiting for the parade.

We had a fun-filled week up in Int'l Falls with Grandma and Grandpa. The kids were all so good all weekend. Grandpa said it was the best 4th of July weekend ever (but I think he said that last year too!) We had such fun! I even got some good training walks in.

Mikko stayed with Grandma and Grandpa because daycare is closed this week. I will go up on Friday with David to get him and stay up there again through Sunday.

4th of July Weekend - Day 3

We spent Sunday afternoon at Peterson's cabin. All the kids swam, had popsicles, sauna'd, paddleboated etc.
There they all go!

Wheeee! Mikko wasn't afraid of the water at all! That's my boy!

Mikko went in the sauna with Win and Viv just as it was getting heated up. He is a true FINN and didn't want to get out of the sauna!

Smores around the fire! Carrie has a funny picture of Mikko roasting a marshmellow I hope she shares!

All the guys watching the Star Wars marathon.

Bobby lined up all the fireworks in the order we would set them off. Of course David wanted to get in there and help.

The crowd gathered to watch. Notice all our body tracings all over the driveway. CSI International Falls.

Mikko peeking at the fireworks. He wasn't scared, but didn't want to look directly at them either.

4th of July weekend - Day 2

Windy day at the Ranier Dock

The girls escaped for a little shopping and a pitcher of beer at Woody's.

Frying Walleye - 4th of July weekend tradition!

Dinner Time!

David on Greta's princess bike and with a princess helmet.

Bobby drew a race track onto the driveway. Then Carrie came up with the idea of outlining the kids. Super huge hit that entertained them for a long time.

Mikko's turn. He just kept moving from place to place having his big cousins trace him.

Daddy's elaborate positions!

My TWO little dare devils.

Sparkler time.