A MN Visit

Last week, we packed up the car and headed for northern MN to visit our friends MG&J. This was the kid's first real car trip (aka more than one day in the car) and they did such a great job! I can't even imagine what it was like to travel with kids before portable DVD players and MobiGos and air conditioning LOL. Super thankful for our current techno world as far as travel goes. We stayed in Omaha the first night and we all got our silly wiggles out with a romp in the pool. The second day brought our arrival at MG&J's house. M and I were signed up for a tri the next morning, so we pretty much ate and crashed that first night :).

Saturday morning, M and I were up before dawn and ready to GO! We found a sweet little spot in the transition area and had fun getting all set up. This was M's first tri and my first MN tri (and open water swim). Yup, the nerves were mad little butterflies fluttering around our tummies lol.













DONE! We stuck together through the entire course and had fun with each leg. The 1/4 mile swim was a rewind of *ahem* several years, back to VG and RMHS days :). I was amazed at how quickly the swim went without counting laps! The bike was a very nice, easy 14 miles, and during the bike, I realized I had altitude working in my extreme favor. Easy to see why athletes train at higher altitudes. The 5k run was on a paved trail, pretty flat and fun to have a chance to see many of the participants coming and going on the last leg of the course. D met us at the end and held my hand as we ran across the finish line...super sweet ♥. Awesome job M, thanks for the invite to do that with you; I'd love to do it again sometime!!!














The kids quickly discovered J's play-zone and made themselves at home :). The Lightning McQueen couch was the icing on the cake for P.














Saturday afternoon, we made our way out to the lake to enjoy some outdoor water play. JP&D were ready to go!














J and P at the helm :)!














Rider-D was all smiles! This was their first time on the boat, so everyone was very excited!



















Even G was all smiles :)!















The crew!














It is easy to hear what D wanted :). Thumbs up boater-dude.


Then we broke out the tubes! G and D out for their first ride together.














Then I hit the water with P. The motion of the tube eventually put her to sleep LOL.














Then M did her best to tip G off the tube. He managed to stay on though :). Next time M, next time ;).














M and D in their attempt to dislodge G from the tube.













While P slept ♥. Yes, she is standing on her feet lol.














Playtime on their 'yellow island' :).














After water time, we took a walk around the neighborhood and D was super excited to have the opportunity to walk Grace.













P too :)!














We stopped to throw some rocks in a different lake. MN truly is the land of 10,000 lakes!














M pointed out an Osprey nest along the way.














Saturday afternoon we managed to squeeze in some more boating fun :). This time it was J's turn to snooze ♥.













D got to ride in a tube all by himself! I think this was probably the highlight of the trip for him :)!














Yep, the highlight!














The next evening, we caught fish with M's help since I am far too wimpy with worms etc. to handle it lol (thanks M!!!!!!!). Here P is catching her first ever fish!














Fishie, oooooooooooo!



















M shows the kids how to get the fish off the hook so it can be returned to the lake.














Then D snagged one!




























P had enough with the fishing and returned to the dirt play :).



















While MD&G further taunted the fish :).














M found the coolest bubble blower (no spill!) and the kids had a blast painting their deck with bubbles :).














J managed to paint himself with one of his favs, guac ♥.














Monday evening, we got to drive to dinner on the boat!!! Super fun first for all of us!

Driver-D



















I'm explaining what we are doing to P :).













M and J :)














G helped D drive...the kid can't wait until he's able to do this alone lol.














Again with the smiles G :D!!














MJ&G at dinner. Thanks to you all for making this such a fun and special trip for us!!!!













Tuesday AM, we hopped in the car and did it all in reverse :). Did I mention we were also grateful for the 75 mph speed limits? Can you imagine having to drive 55 the whole way?????!!!!?????