On vacation

Jake had the week off. It was great to have him home. Actually, we weren't home that much. We started off the week by visiting Mike & Jen in South Dakota. Everyone had a great time swimming, & spending time with cousins and seeing the animals.

The baby goats were at the Bramble Park Zoo, where they also had a fat coyote, albino peacocks, and Maya's favorite, the Lady Ross Turaco. She's really into birds right now.

After a day or two at home, we headed to Marissa's family cabin in Wisconsin. We had a great time fishing, swimming and relaxing.

I found the following pics on Dylan's camera. (Sara, maybe you can pass the lizard one on to Jimmy). This is Dylan's leopard gecko, Sesto. Named for a Lamborghini, I think.

 The week before our family vacation, Dylan went up north into the BWCACWA (or whatever) with his friend's family. Looks like he had a good time, there, too.

 Dylan's bunk must be the one with the blanket Grandma Olsen made for Jake which Dylan claimed as his own.

I've never thought of taking a picture in the Mpls tunnel, but it is a good feeling to know you're getting close to home.

While Dylan was away, Maya successfully completed swimming lessons. This was a daunting challenge for her, but she overcame her fears of the deep water and putting her face in. As a reward, she got to go to the U of M Raptor center. She's especially interested in birds of prey as of late. Her favorite was the turkey vulture. Here she is with other faves, the one eyed bald eagle and the peregrine falcon. She impressed the tour guide by already knowing all of the birds given names and details about each one. She'd been studying their website for weeks.

Dylan's band

For the 3rd year in a row, Dylan's guitar teacher formed a summer student band. This is one of the songs they performed at Mtka. Music in Excelsior. This one showcases Dylan's emerging rap skills. He's up north with his friend this week and I'm missing him a lot!

Outtakes

We had some extra tix, so we gave some to the 4 guys sitting next to Isaac, Dylan, & Harry. The blonde guy with glasses seemed to particularly enjoy being in our pictures. Isaac and Dylan, not so much. Jake says he will remember this as the birthday when Dylan didn't smile. He did, plenty, but like his cousin Violet does, he turned it off as soon as he saw the camera.

Dylan commented that this was the first birthday party he'd ever been to where no one cried. But he'll have to keep waiting for that because Maya wounded her knees and cried pretty hard. And I think Owen might have cried, too.

Blonde guy strikes again.

Check out the guys on either side of Becky and India in this one.

Now blonde guy's friend is smiling at my camera and my own son is still trying hard not to smile.

Jake says this is the closest Dylan came to smiling for a picture and Jack needs a speech bubble that says, "Dylan, quit spitting on my back!" 

July!

For my birthday, Maya asked for money and shopped at the Dollar Tree. She was assisted by a friendly cashier, who shooed me out of the way. Maya selected a coconut cup, giant flowers for my hair, parrot paper cups, Hulu dancer and flamingo sugar cookies tied with a ribbon, a coloring book and a spray bottle for me. I heard her asking the cashier, "Do you have any gift bags?"

On my birthday, I slept in. At 8 a.m., I ambled into the living room.

 Jake was at work, Dylan was at a friend's, Kayla and Anna were downstairs, but Maya was waiting for me. "Happy Birthday, Mom!" she exclaimed. "You're 42! And it's Bacon Fest today!"

 The First Annual Bacon Fest event was held at Michelle & Scott's house. It was a benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The event included the Bacon Trolley, Cold Stone Creamery Bacon flavored ice cream, Maple Bacon Long Johns from Yo Yo Donuts, bacon flavored powders by Jake, many other bacon dishes...

...and a reporter from Kare 11. Bacon Fest made the 45 second feel good piece at the end of the 5:00 news. Watch for Bacon Fest 2 next summer!

 

Minecrafting & pyromania

Photobombing

Stylin'

This week, Anna purchased her first vehicle and exhaled with relief and breathed in freedom, or something like that. Kayla traded in her Malibu and bought a GMC Jimmy, too, but I don't have a picture of that yet.

 Hanging with cousins at the playground. Dylan and Annie learning to swing:)

And, finally, Jake turns 40!

Sad time for Kayla

(Sara, Kayla, and Danielle)

It's been a year of painful losses and growth for Kayla. On President's Day, her close friend, Danielle, was killed in a car accident near Alexandria, MN. She and 3 friends were heading back to college in North Dakota. On Sunday, Kayla lost her friend Sara, too. Both girls graduated with Kayla and both were on the danceline at Minnetonka High School.

Working at Sunrise has helped Kayla learn how to handle loss and grief, but she commented that is so much easier there because the people at the nursing home have lived full lives. Sara's funeral will be held at Westwood Church on Saturday. Please keep Kayla and her friends in your thoughts and prayers. They've been through a lot lately.