Mall of America

We came to the MoA so the kids could ride the rides.  They chose the log flume for the first ride and Todd went down with them

Looks like they might have gotten a little wet.

Love the smiles on the guys' faces.

This ride got a thumbs up.

We were pleased they decided to ride in a double swing together.

Our stomachs churned a bit watching them up so high and swirling around so fast.  But the kids liked the ride.  :)

They did bumper cars together.

Owen drove and Chloe supervised.

Can you tell Chloe really liked running into other cars on this ride?

They went on a ride together that went through the dark and they had to shoot targets.

Then Kelley went on the orange roller coaster with the kids, taking up the last two rows.

This roller coaster went up higher than any of the other rides.

Chloe liked this ride!

They took a hot air balloon ride.

But the excitement didn't last long.  Apparently this was a rather boring ride.

This was another stomach churning ride to watch for us, but the kids loved it and rode it multiple times.

On the way out of the amusement park, we stopped for hugs with this movie character.  Owen was shy and wouldn't give hugs or shake hands.

We ate lunch in a Mexican restaurant in the mall that looked out over the amusement park.  The kids were captivated with the view.

Playing in Rochester

On our second day in Minnesota, we picked up a bicycle for Chloe at Play It Again Sports for twenty bucks.  It didn't have any training wheels and she was all over (FINALLY!) learning how to ride a bike.  There was no holding the seat or running along behind her this time around, she got the hang of it immediately and was off and biking like a pro!  

But first, she had to stop and blow some dandelions.  :)

When she tired of biking around the school parking lot while the boys were playing catch with the football, Chloe headed to the playground and climbed to the highest point.

I think she even roared.

The little monkey wasn't done climbing and was thrilled the trees were perfect for climbing.

The boy had to get into it, too.  So then we had two monkeys up in trees.

Driving to Minnesota - Day 1

We started the day early, leaving the house before 8am.  We came prepared with music and headphones.

We saw many lakes.  This one is Lake Nickajack in Tennessee.

And many cool bridges.

Spinning tires.

And cool horses going for a ride.

We saw farmland.

And the Gateway to the Midwest.

Not long after passing this bridge, we drove across it in the opposite direction when we realized we made a wrong turn (someone was not holding up her navigational duties....sorry, honeys!).

Loved this cool blue bridge!

We also saw plenty of wildflowers.

Can you hear me now?

A big rainstorm welcomed us through Iowa before we called it a day and found a hotel room in Iowa City for the night.

Ice Cream Afternoon

We went out for a dollar movie (Megamind) with Martin and Luke before having lunch at Dagwood's (pizza). 

Afterwards, we walked over to Publix and bought some sugar free ice cream.

Life is good when you can share ice cream with friends!

Field Trip to Centennial Park - Owen

I had fun going on the same field trip with both kids.  But it was much easier with Owen's group as the kids were older and not as likely to run off.  With Chloe's group, I felt like I was constantly counting heads to make sure everyone was accounted for every two minutes.  I didn't count as much with Owen's group and got more pics as a result.  :)

He had so much fun dancing in the fountains.

And like his sister, letting the fountain blow his shirt up and out.

Owen didn't play in the fountains for as long as I expected.  He wanted to sit up on a perch with his friend Alec to watch the other kids play in the fountains.

Then their friend Lou joined to scope out the water play below.

Owen and Alec sat together while we were waiting for picnic lunches to be handed out.

After lunches were consumed, Owen was turning cartwheels everywhere.

There was a musician singing and playing his Jamaican drums for us while we ate.

On our way to the playground and bathrooms after lunch, the DoubleTree free cookie mobile was out and handing out cookies.

Owen played hide and seek at the playground.

It was so hot out the kids begged to go back to the fountains to cool off.  More cartwheels needed to be turned.

I loved watching him dance in the water.  He had so much fun.