Chef Adriana

Adriana was trying really hard to be a BIG helper.
She got dressed without being asked.
She started breakfast.
Then it was time for prayer and scripture reading.
Oops!
Guess who forgot to stop the Toaster Oven?

There were flames shooting up and out of the Toaster Oven.
It took 3 full glasses of water to put the fire out.

YUMMY!

Adriana was soooo sad, scared, and sorry.
After it was all over and we decided that we could either cry or laugh.
Adriana couldn't stop crying while she was laughing.
She insisted on buying Alexis and herself breakfast at school.

Mickey D's Playdate

Adriana and Alexis were excited about a Saturday play date at McDonalds.
We went for ice cream and F-U-N!

Adriana invited her friend, Mokua.

Alexis invited her friend, Emily.

"What is the meaning of this contraption?"

"You are supposed to run, jump and karate-KICK a button."

"Na-uh, you are supposed to run, jump and karate-CHOP a button."

After 2 hours of F-U-N, Alexis and Emily had made another friend, Jasmine.

Fun with Grandma Pat

When we spend time with Grandma Pat,
things are NEVER boring!

Adriana and Alexis loved being "Sparkler Cheerleaders".
A little fire here... A little fire there!
NOBODY GOT HURT, THIS IS ALL AN ILLUSION!

"Grandma Pat, light mine!"

"No, Grandma Pat, light mine!"

Is there anything David can't do?

You can't distinguish the flame of...
Fun with Grandma Pat!

Game #1

Adriana had her first soccer game last Monday.

Lexi has her shirt on from last year,
and Adriana has her shirt on from this year.
We paid $50 for Lexi's shirt,
and $50 for Adriana to wear a shirt while she
actually played soccer.

Grandma Pat made it, and...they WON!

Gone Much?

"Project: Clean Up Mangled Tree"

The girls grabbed clippers and saws and helped the best they could.

Like Mother...

Like Son!

Lumberjack David

David had too much fun with his Dad's bigger chainsaw.

We enjoyed our "mangled" tree and will miss it deeply.
It has gone on to a better place...
our campfire wood pile.

Happy Birthday

Lori's 30th Birthday!

There really are 30 candles in this delicious
Strawberry Cheesecake!

Happy Anniversary

Happy 10 Year Wedding Anniversary!

In the morning, there was an exchange of our new rings.
Bling-Bling!

After work, there were 15 roses waiting on the table.
Aren't they BEAUTIFUL?

Then we headed off to Stillwater, MN to take a 3 hour ride on the Minnesota Zephyr.

There was a 5 course dinner served:
1) Shrimp and rolls
2) Minnesota Wild Rice Soup
3) Feta and Vinaigrette Salad
4) Lori- Prime Rib
4) David- Salmon
5) New York Cheesecake

Then we went to the Holiday Inn Express.
We stayed in one of their hot tub Suites.
It had cable too!

We walked around historic Stillwater, MN.

We saw MANY Antique Shops.
This lovely chair was priced at $1,195.00.
David's mom owns one of these "money makers";
and she didn't even know the value of it.

We took a walk along the St. Croix River before heading back to our Little house.

Mess Much?

These are pictures of the first day of
"Project: Clean Up Mangled Tree".

This is a picture of our mangled tree, from the bottom view looking upward.

This is a picture of the same mangled tree, from the corner of the yard looking over.

Guess What?
The tree is still mangled, even from the driveway looking across the yard.

Minnehaha Falls

We took a trip to Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis.

We started our adventure at the waterfall.

As we followed the trail, it led us to some "hiking" fun.
Adriana and Emily are in mid-hike.

Alexis is taking a rest after her hike.

Then we followed the trail farther down across a bridge and right into the water... for a swim. Adriana and Emily are fighting their way against the current made by the waterfall.
Alexis is wisely observing if it is safe to move ahead.

We ended our adventure with: smiles on our faces, wet swimming suits, and a piece of wood with a hole in it.
The girls are thrilled with the souvenir they took home.

David's Trip

The day finally arrived for David's Motorcycle Trip!
He left on Thursday, July 3rd and arrived home on Friday, July 11th.

Adriana hopped on and said, "Let's go, Dad!".

Alexis hopped on and said, "Do you have to go, Dad?".

The Men and their Motorcycles at Uncle Mark's house, all ready to ride.

Destination... Glacier National Park in northern Montana.

There really was this much snow, in July!

Nature at its best!

Storm Much?

There was peace in a place called
"The Little House in Lakeville".

Before the Storm

After the Storm

In the front yard

In the backyard.
Anyone need campfire wood?

Soccer

This is Adriana's 4th year playing soccer.

She started her "soccer career" at Skyhawks when she was 6 years old. She has finally grown into the T-shirt.

With her knees together, she is ready to kick the ball and score a GOAL!

Alexis played at the park next to the field. We invited her friend, Bethany, to join her at the next practice, so she wasn't so lonely.