Day trip to Duluth

 We took a quick trip to Duluth this past weekend and were joined by our neighbors and their kids.  

First, went on a train "adventure" called A Day Out Thomas.

Here is the one and only picture I got of Thomas.   We were running late so we didn't have a chance to take pictures before we boarded, then when we disembarked at the end of the ride we were shuttled straight into the railroad museum--so the kiddos didn't get to "meet" him.

 

I think Oliver and Henry thought it was pretty cool.  Henry even dressed up like a train conductor!

 

The girls were less impressed with the train and were just having fun together.

The $90(!) train ride also included admission to the train museum and various kiddo-oriented activities.  I love this picture of Oliver and Emelia--if only they were always this nice to each other!

 

Emelia really got into posing in front of the trains.  

Exhibit A: 

 

 Exhibit B:

 

Yep.  Definitely over the camera-shy phase.

After the train outing we went down to canal park for a picnic and let the kids run around for a while.  Then we walked down to the pebble beach and threw rocks in the "big lake."

Emelia thought that just standing next to the lake was dumb, she wanted to go *in* the lake.  I took this picture just before she ditched her dress so she could sit in the water.  I love her spunkiness.

 

A day at the lake

We spent the day visiting my cousin and her family who live on a lake in central MN.  The kids had a blast!

Emelia went for her first kayak ride with my cousin Jenny.  They went to look at the lily pads--I think she liked it.

 

 

Despite having a life jacket on, Oliver didn't quite get the concept of "floating"--he insisted on hanging on to anyone that was close.  It didn't take him long to decide that he'd had enough of the water and wanted to fish.

 

He caught lots of little sunnies!

 

 

Emelia, on the other hand, thought floating with a life jacket on was pretty awesome.  She even learned a modified doggie paddle by the end of the day.

 

Camera shy?

Thankfully, I think this girl has finally gotten over her aversion to cameras.  She used to yell "NO" and put her hand in front of her face when I pulled out the camera!  I got these cute shots the other night at Oliver's t-ball game.

 

 

T-baller!

I tagged along to t-ball this week and had so much fun watching Oliver.

Here is a play-by-play of the highlights.

FIELDING

Ready position.

First Baseman, just like his favorite, Joe Mauer.

Throwing the ball home.

Ollie's turn to bat.

I love the look of concentration on his face.

And his tongue sticking out. 

Good hit!

 

Rounding 2nd...

 

 Tagging 3rd...

Heading home...

I think the kid is having fun!