4th of July at Canal Park in Duluth

We were watching Evan, Luke, & J.T. over the 4th of July this year so we decided to take them to Duluth for the fireworks.  We spent a couple of nights at the Canal Park Lodge.  We all had a fun time!

Todd picked up his mom & we all walked down by the bridge to watch the fireworks.

We rented one of the double surreys from Wheel Fun Rentals & rode along the lakefront.

J.T. & Evan

Water fun at the Great Lakes Aquarium.

Throwing rocks in Lake Superior is always fun!

Free Indeed 2013

Maddie, J.T., Brenden, Tyler, & Nicholas joined us for the Free Indeed Celebration this year.  It was the last weekend in June.

J.T. really enjoyed his watermelon.  :)

J.D. is 16!

J.D. turned 16 on May 13th........so of course we gave him a car.................

...........and a gas card.  ;)

Up North for Our 7th Anniversary

We spent 2 nights in Grand Marais & 2 nights at the Grand Superior Lodge for our 7th Anniversary.

Todd on the shore in Grand Marais.

We stopped at the Temperance River on our way down to Grand Superior Lodge and walked down towards the lake.

Todd building a stone tower.

Sonja by Lake Superior

It is tradition to eat our anniversary dinner at Betty's Pies.  We always like to get chili cheese fries for an appetizer.  Yum!  :)

Maddie's 5th Birthday

Maddie turned 5 on April 27th.  Brenden, Tyler, & Maddie were spending the weekend at our house because Jeremy & Kim were out of town for a basketball tournament for J.D.

Jeremy sent Maddie some birthday flowers.

  She was very excited when they came.  :)

Maddie & I made a chocolate birthday cake with purple cream cheese frosting.

Grandma A, Angela, Evan, Luke, Anthony, Heather, Andrew, & Alex met us at Perkins for dinner & then came back to our house for cake & ice cream.  I surprised Maddie by putting pink marshmallow flowers on her cake.  :)

Maddie blowing out her candles.

Then Maddie opened a couple of presents.  I think she had a pretty fun birthday.  :)

Big Snow in April

We had a lot of snow storms in March & April.  Tyler & Maddie had fun playing in the snow after one of the snow falls in mid-April.

Tyler & Maddie playing on the "snow plow" hill.

Tyler's action shot.

We even made a tiny snowman.

Tyler, J.T., & Maddie watching a movie & having a snack before bed.

J.T.'s impersonation of "Men in Black".

Easter Sunday 2013

J.T. in his Easter suit.

Maddie

Luke

Tyler & Maddie colored a beautiful picture on my collar.  :)