The Big 3-0

Dan had a birthday!  Shout HOORAY!

He turned 30- he's been dreading it for a while now.  WHY?  30 is great!  It's just like 29, or 28, or any age, but I guess everything for sports goes downhill from here on out.  ok, ok...

So- we decided to REALLY celebrate!

Dan flew in from Seattle on his birthday night.  We were going to go get him from the airport, but Jack wanted to hide and say surprise!  So we got him a different ride home and we were ready for him!  Birthday cake, ice cream, presents, and one happy boy to be hiding under a blanket and ready to jump out when it was time!

 We also had a party with some of our friends to celebrate.  Just your usual backyard barbeque PLUS brownies and ice cream, the bounce house, and good friends to enjoy it all with!

Let's go fly a kite

 

Jack woke up and wanted to fly a kite.  We have never taken him to fly a kite, so the idea was kind of random.  Knowing only one kite flier, we called Papa Russ to see if he was up for it.  

The weather was perfect for kite flying, and Papa had a special Buzz Lightyear kite just for Jack!

Nora wanted to be part of the action

 But settled for a snack

Jack loved it!  Every time we drive past the park where we played he says "that's the park for flying kites."  Sometimes I am glad i give into his random requests.  It was really fun to watch him experience this and figure it out little by little. 

Minnesota Vacation

 We took a weekend trip to go visit Manda, Ben, and Baby Easton.  They were in Minnesota this summer for an internship, and with only a 5 1/2 hour drive we knew we would have to go!  (Going along for the ride with Grandma & Papa made it a no brainer.)

We had a great time!  The boys went to a Twins game, we swam at the pool, played at Manda's house, Dan & Ben went frisbee golfing, and we all went to the Mall of America-ate lunch at the Rainforest Cafe.  Our family stayed at a hotel, so we enjoyed a five star continental breakfast every morning which was AWESOME!  Not so awesome, the flu Nora and Dan had the week before spread to Jack and we had a barfing kid in a hotel room.  Added bonus: I didn't have to do any of the bedding/towels that got a little dirty.  (really, we were very lucky.)

Thank you for the awesome weekend Manda & Ben!  We loved visiting you and are hoping you end up in the midwest after graduation!  

Jack's cardboard box house we made at Manda's house.

Nora loved Baby Easton (with supervision!)

Heading into Mall of America

The Jumpers

Swimming with Papa Russ

Easton loved the water

The Bostons

The Lego Store

Papa Russ with Easton & Nora

Jack and Auntie Manda