Fall Weekend

Last weekend (or at least Saturday) was some lovely fall weather. We are so glad we took advantage of it as it rained for what felt like months - but was really a week - on either end of it. It's snowing today ... so I'm working hard to convince the children that last Saturday wasn't the entire fall season. Not sure any of us are buying it.

Anyhoo ... last Saturday, Mike proposed a trip to Shoreview. Both to see Auntie and so Mike could "look at" (buy) a second snowmobile and two-up trailer. The kids had lots of stored up energy after a week of rain (and mom being away), so we headed to a park by Auntie's house. We all had the best time running around, spinning, and bumping our way down the slides.

The highlight of the park, hands down, was the bouncy balance team. We were practicing our walking, meeting in the middle and going around each other (or falling off), and trick moves. Suddenly, I had a scathingly brilliant idea [see if Auntie catches the movie reference] to do a family picture on the balance beam.

Let me tell you - getting five people situated and balanced is no small feat. There were several outtake moments that Auntie captured that are way funnier than the actual picture. But we did it - and all still giggle about what a mess it was. Moments like those make the best memories!

Then on Sunday, we wandered down to Minnesota's Largest Candy Store - about 20 minutes south of our house. They aren't exaggerating. It is SO massive and overwhelming. But we didn't let the volume choices get to us, which made it a successful trip. We checked out the superhero statues (both Marvel and DC universes, by the way) and Dec held court with a couple of older gentlemen on the Who's Who of the Avengers. He was a bit scandalized that they didn't know who Ironman was - so felt it worth his time to set them straight.

We managed to get out of there with some amazing licorice and a pile of gummi options (including gummi dinos, rattlesnakes, cupcakes, and cherries). By the time we left, the rain had started. Again.

The kids still had so much energy, so we stopped at the field on the way home for them to run in the rain (their request). Even better, Ev and Jonah were out walking their dog - so we added a couple more friends to the rainy field run. We got home with wet pants and VERY wet shoes (that were still too wet for school on Monday morning), but were better versions of ourselves because of the stop.

We may need to make a repeat trip as Q and Dec are currently using up their energy by [not] quietly bouncing bouncy balls down the stairs. And I just heard them start brainstorming how to set up their own Double Dare obstacle course. That doesn't sound alarming at all ...

Outtake #1

Outtake #2