Minnesota

I have been a lot of places.  We grew up going to resorts in Mexico, Dominican Republic and Costa Rica.  We have traveled to Florida, California, Colorado, Arizona and more recently  New York and North Carolina. I have memories of family time in each of these locations.  But for me, moving away from my parents home in Minnesota to Iowa, made Minnesota a vacation destination too.  I always love our week vacation in Minnesota.  You can't beat daily boat rides, swims, walks, and plenty of ice cream! And you can't beat making memories with your kids in the same location I have memories of being a kid at.  My parents have moved out of my childhood home but it was a welcomed change that came with a lake view and a boat.  

I ran into an old high school friend and basketball teammate of mine, Jessica Donovan/Matheson, at the excelsior commons.  It is always fun to bump into old friends and catch up a moment.

First time tubing.  Leighton,McCabe , and Brooks were so apprehensive.  They didn't want be the first ones to go and it wasn't looking promising that they would go at all.  Immediately, Wynnlee literally jumped off the boat into the water with no fear at all and was the first one to go with daddy!  I will never forget that moment!

Minnesota Vacation

Minnesota was memory filled and just as wonderful as it always is.  We loved walking (or scootering), swimming, fishing, relaxing and boating daily.

The POOL

At 87 degrees, this pool was refreshing! My kids advanced more in their swimming bravery and skills than during any other time.  Leighton swam across the short length all by himself and dove for rings. McCabe swam around everywhere with his life jacket and on the last day was even brave enough to jump in and go underwater!  Brooks jumped in a lot, went under a lot, and even floated on his back!  Wynnlee hated being held and wanted to be on her own the whole time, loved being dunked, and loved jumping in and going under water.

FISHING

The boys fished most day.  Leighton fished every single day for hours.  He knows how to put the worm on the hook, cast, and even get the fish off the hook to throw back in.  Without needing much assistance, we let him go fishing almost whenever he wanted.  He even woke up early one morning to go fishing on the boat with dad and grandpa.  Meanwhile, Wynnlee and I would watch from the deck!

BOATING

I love taking boat rides on Lake Minnetonka.  It is fun to house hunt and boat watch!  Im fairly certain that Luke feel asleep on every boat ride!

BONFIRE
Although my sister and family (who always have dark chocolate, cinnamon graham cracker s'mores on every vacation) were there, we definitely took advantage of the bonfire pit and enjoy s'mores!  All while the sunset on the water.

 HOT ROD NIGHT at the DRIVE-IN
As usual, we walked to the drive in on thursday night and enjoyed watching the hot rods!  We didn't stay for ice cream so we could race off to a restaurant for dinner, but we did get to sit in some guys camera hot wheels replica!