Nelson Summer Vacation 2013 part 1 -Duluth

This year's family summer vacation was MN bound. We decided to stay within the state but to necessarily a "staycation".

Minnesota's prime season is short so we wanted to fully enjoy it without leaving. We left on Saturday 7/13 after a lovely morning I service with Ben and Daphne Strawn and Jaklynn.  We drove up to Duluth after finishing some errands (Not without stopping at Toby's in Hinkley on the way up- "tradition").

We had our first night reserved at The Edgewater in Duluth. A place we had not stayed at before but looked fun for Nosh too. It has an indoor water park as well as lots of activities including mini golf etc. we had a water park view room. Nicely redone rooms. 

Noah and I played at the water park for the evening. It isn't huge but had a lazy river that made me happy and water slides and activities that made Noah happy too. 

we got a new camera that goes underwater too... ;-)

We all had pizza down there for supper then outside pool swimming for the rest of the night, including them showing The Lion King movie projected on the outside wall of the hotel over the pool. How fun! And roasted marshmallows over the open fire pit. Yum! Poor Noah  scrubbed his chin on the bottom of the pool while swimming underwater this night...you will see it in the upcoming days on pics...oops.

In the morning we had their included continental breakfast and got ready to check out and then played mini golf outside before we left for the next leg of our adventure farther north.

To be continued... (part 1 of 4)

(We had 2 cameras this trip... Full set of Pix will eventually all be uploaded to https://nelsonpix.shutterfly.com/)

Summer! Part 1

We had such a cold wet snowy spring (snow in May??!) that summer is much appreciated this year. We kind of got some spring like weather in summer too, but we will take what we can get for warmth. School is out and Noah has been enjoying a more relaxed pace. Not our typical summer, no beach days yet even. 

Sam is moving, so the boys spent some time together at the start while they could still ride bikes between houses etc. they are still in town (staying at a friends' house) til Aug so I am sure there will be more fun days. 

Noah had his first #3 talk on 6/18. Another nice spiritual milestone. He did do well. Lots of beaming faces in the audience. 

We are gearing up for a vacation week next week, so that will be refreshing. Staying in MN but not exactly a "staycation" either. After service Saturday  we are driving to Duluth for an overnight at The Edge water park/hotel, then onto Lutsen for 4 nights to chillax in the "mountains" by Lake Superior. We stayed there a couple if years ago and loved it. I am sure there will be lots of pics to post from there. Then 2 days at ValleyFair so we can take our time and do what we want without cramming. It will go fast I am sure, but looking forward to family time. 

Some random shots of fun times so far. Stay tuned for more...

Mini golf

Cottonwood "snow" after the real snow went away

The boys waiting for a wedding to start

The Strawns

Hirdlers (with Jane "photo bombing")

Donna Kim and Florence

Happy family!

3 amigos

Michael & Elena

Kate and Angelique

Lazy pup!

Noah's first #3 talk

Brent's cousin Seth's (and new wife Kristen) wedding

Us at the wedding

Aria -lovely venue!

Summer evening sky

Nina and Pinta replica ships visiting Hudson

ICe cream at Selma's with Grammy

Waiting for Rockin' Hollywoods at Walton Park

Concert in the park

Lots of people but good family friendly crowd

Enjoying quiet after work on Friday

Hospitality at Lewis'...fun stuff for the kids too!

Bubbles!

Today it rains!

More to come!!

5th Grade Graduation

Yesterday (6/5/13) our school held the 5th Grade graduation ceremony. We never had that growing up in the district, but it was a fun event and marked a major milestone In the kids' lives (parents too). It brought a record crowd of over 200+ in attendance in the gym. It was a procession, speech by our Principal, songs from all the kids, 6 kids (including Noah) read memoirs they had written about a special school memory. Then they all got presented with certificates that they graduated 5th Grade from their teachers. Then everyone went to the cafe for cake and visiting and pictures etc. We could only invite a few people but were happy that Grandma Kathy, Michelle & Steph, and Cheniu could join us there as we cheered Noah on. One more day of elementary school then next Fall we will be onto new adventures in Middle School!!  

Younger grades decorated the whole sidewalk with messages to the 5th Graders...

Their shirts they all had:

Noah reading his story:

Getting his certificate:

Brent and one of the other dads who had gone on the Deep Portage trip this year. 

Noah and Sam - they have been together in this big journey. 

Noah with the 2 5th Grade Teachers

Noah with their principal. 

Their annual plaque 

Last day of 5th Grade!!

Time flies! I went up to school for lunch today for the last day of 5th Grade and last day of elementary school. It has been a mostly good run at this school and I may miss it more than him. End of an era. So many staff impacted his life there we will miss everyone. We were supposed to have an outside lunch, but MN weather wasn't so cooperating. We are in the classroom instead after recess.  A couple of group shots:

A night at the theater

On May 30th we had tickets to Children's Theater Company to see "Alice in Wonderland". Everything we see there is always top quality and this was no exception. What a great introduction to theater that place is for kids and adults alike. We even had front row seats. Neither grandma had a memory of going there before, do it was fun to share the experience with them too.