A weekend of fun

Last weekend, we were HOME in DULUTH....which is such a rare thing these days. You know, the summer is kind of supposed to be a relaxing thing, I usually picture a Grain Belt Premium in a can koozie, a grill, some lounging in the sun, and lots of time to do "the stuff that needs to get done..." In all actuality, I think we're twice as busy in the summer with family get-togethers, weddings, etc....especially on the weekends. It's nice to have a whole weekend at home where we don't have to pack up everything we own into little bags and laundry baskets, pack non-perishable food items, and load everything into the minivan.

This past Saturday, we went to Carleton Days, a little town festival just outside of Duluth. It was very small, but we had a great time. There was a craft sale for mommy to explore, a used book sale for papa to explore, a "portable zoo visit" and lots of yummy foods for Julia, and shade for Mary so she could eat in peace. All in all a good time. I bought some homemade wash cloths from a lady, Mike bought a bunch of used books for five bucks from the library fundraiser (which was being hosted by the same lady who made the crafts.....these small towners know how to multi-task.) Julia ate some corn on the cob and a candy necklace, she also commandeered our root beer float and walking taco.

The highlight of the day was when Julia heard the TRAIN coming. She LOVES trains. And like most MN small towns, there's a train track running through the center of town, just past the grain elevator and just behind the storefronts of downtown. So we took off running toward the tracks and Julia got to see the train first hand. The engine guy....(is that the engineer?) tooted his horn at her and it was so loud she cried...but then laughed, I think... She tried to jump up and down in excitement, but she hasn't figured out jumping yet...one leg goes up and the other stays on the ground. She also does this "happy dance" that looks like an injured gazellle....you have to see it, I guess. Anyways, we saw the train and headed home after a busy afternoon and NO NAP. Mommy and Papa were happy to put her highness to bed at 7:30. Ahhhhhhh.

On Sunday, while the girls was napping, I left Mike at home and went boating on Lake Superior with a buddy. So, fortunately, there WAS some Grain Belt Premium, a can koozie, and lounging in the sun. What a lovely relaxing way to spend a beautiful day!

Here's Mary, looking shocked to hear that we were planning to make her sit in her carseat while we drove to Target. (She hates the carseat....this look could also be called, Not Acceptable!)Here's my seafaring buddy, Jeff, who was the captain of our Lake-dwelling vessel
Here's Mary tolerating her car seat on the way to Carleton Days
Julia and the train. She looks like she's posing for a musical number...don't you think she looks like she's about to turn around and start singing the chorus?

Here's the tortoise from the portable zoo.

Mary was happy to be home that night....notice the change of outfits during the day. Mayday Mary struck again.