Floating Happy Hour - Apr 23

Happy Hour on Forest Lake...

we took the pontoon out for a spin...and met up with our friendly neighbors doing the same.


Hope was actually awake this time. She seemed pretty happy.
Millie came along...she seemed happy.
Joe was fishing...he was happy.

Abby was playing in the minnow bucket...she was happy.
Me?? I was happy too! See?
That makes it a happy hour...all around!

BONUS SHOT: I call this one "Sun's out...guns out."

the Science Museum: March 7

We spent the morning at the Science Museum in St. Paul.

Dinosaurs were the fan favorite for sure...

Abby with her friends Tyler & Hannah.

Abby & Tyler in a barrel the size of a dinosaur tummy.

Abby & Joe

'Nastics: Jan 14 & Jan 21

Jan 14th was Beach Week at gymnastics. The kids got to wear their swimsuits instead of leotards and all the circuits were "accessorized" with beach themed decor.

Ta-Da!
Abby was asked to demonstrate for the class on beams

And on the jumping circuit.

(you can almost see the "tada" coming out of her mouth.)

Then on Jan 21, it was Bring-a-Friend Week. Abby invited her friend Tyler.

Here they are warming up & stretching.

Abby was "showing off" a little for her friend.

Abby & Tyler.
They blew up the big bouncer.

And Abby bounced non-stop for about 10 minutes.
Abby & Tyler "shimmy-ing" on the bars.
Here Abby reached over and asked Tyler, "Are you having fun Ty-Ty?"

Trick or Treat - Oct 31

We went trick-or-treating in our neighborhood on Friday.

Abby's "practice" house was at our neighbor's door. Once the candy hit the bag...she caught on pretty quickly.


Abby (Elmo) was joined by Jack (Luke Skywalker) and Charlie (Yoda)...a pretty good pair to hit the 'hood with.

Tub for Two - Oct 30

You know you have a TRUE friend when you can share bathwater.

Abby & Haley splish-splashed together the other night.

Pumpkin Patch Oct 12

We spent Sunday morning with our friends the DesJardins and the Steffensmeirs picking out pumpkins.

Abby wanted to find a little pumpkin.

There was a little village of Halloween cutouts that Abby got to cruise around in. Here she is attending "Ghoul School".
Abby with her friends Haley & Hannah.

Party Girls - Sep 13

It was Abby's BFF Haley's 1st Birthday Party this weekend.
Not sure what was sweeter...the cake, or the birthday girl herself!

the County Fair - Aug 2

Abby & I spent an afternoon at the county fair.
We had a FANTASTIC time...I mean, how can you not?


We started off with a couple rides...
Here is Abby on the motorcycle ride. After MUCH deliberation she went with the pink sparkly one. I think it was a great choice.



Then, we progressed to everyone's favorite...the merry-go-round.
Abby selected an able-bodied white with black mane mare.
She was very well-mannered and the ride was pleasant indeed.

We wandered through a couple of the exhibit buildings and the county watershed dept was there with info and a game for kids. Abby tried her luck in the kiddie fishing hole and actually landed a BIG big muskie...I was so PROUD, I was speechless! (Okay...I know it is a plastic fish with a magnet for a mouth...but there were a LOT of panfish & bass in there...and she came up with the MUSKIE...it was really quite a moment!) Her prize was a red & white bobber.

We then spent the rest of the afternoon going through all the animal barns. The turkey/chicken/duck/rabbit barn kind of freaked Abby out a little. (she must belong to her Uncle Chad's lot...those that are freaked out by birds.) Check out her expression in this photo.
The sheep were much cooler. There were some baby lambs too. And goats that you could feed.

We also got to watch some pig racing. They were FAST...and the announcer was hilarious. All the race contestants had very funny/punny pig names.

We also got to watch some horse competitions...in this one, kids held an egg on a spoon while their horses trotted and gallopped and came to a complete stop. Pretty impressive.
We had such a great time...and will for sure make plans to go again next year!

A day on the lake: June 1

Some friends dropped in while passing through and we were able to talk them into going for a cruise with us...we had a grea ttime visiting and catching up...all while catching some rays!

The Klepperich family... Breanna's first boat ride!

Aaron & Justin

Later that day we met up with our neighbors and went across the lake to the new restaurant on the lake. Very nice!

Here's Jack smiling sweetly....don't let him fool you!

Abby with her shades on.

Me with the three rugrats.