Horseback Riding

 Hailey and Taylor received some riding lessons for their birthdays from their dear friends, Jaclyn & Julia

 The first lessons are all bareback riding to learn the art of balance

 Clearly they loved every minute!

Skol Vikings!!!!!

 We enjoyed a beautiful, sunny, afternoon watching the Vikings take on the Detroit Lions

 We were all smiles with the Vikings winning the home opener of the 2015 season at TCF Stadium

1st day of school--2015/2016

 Carter Dean--2nd Grade with Mrs Olson

 Hailey Joy--7th Grade with Mrs Koppendryer

 Taylor Ann--4th Grade with Mrs Busacker

 Ready to Go!!!!

 We love Calvin Christian School!

The State Fair

 It is no secret that Mike and I hate the MN State Fair, however, the kids have not developed the same distaste for the fair.  So bless Miss Michelle's heart for taking her girls and mine to the fair!!

88 degree, last day of summer vacation, thousands of people, greasy food

 Already onto treat #2

 Jaclyn and Taylor

 Julia and Hailey

 They found their group art show drawings submitted from school.

Up North

 In order to squeeze the very last drop out of summer, we decided to take the kids, along with Grandma and Grandpa up to the north shore.

 We only have ever been as far north as Duluth and this time we made it all the way up to Grand Marias.

 We stayed at the Bluefin resort with a deck that looked out directly over Lake Superior.  It was simply beautiful.

 We enjoyed a full moon over the water

 The hiking was absolutely fantastic.  These next couple of pictures were taken at the Cascade River

 We started our adventure climbing Oberg Mountain

 We got to celebrate Mom's 63rd birthday out at the Grille

 The kids' favorite activity involves playing along the river

 We ate at the famous "Angry Trout Cafe" up in Grand Marais

 Hiking with Taylor is always an adventure; she is very hard to keep up with.

 We took a bike trip from our resort up to the Temperance River.  It was stunning and so very dangerous!

Odds and Ends

 A visit to the Minnesota Science Museum with Taylor and Jaclyn

 Rollerblading around Lake Harriet

 A visit to Valley Fair with friends

 Kick ball with the neighborhood boys

 Minnehaha Falls bike trip with the Syrjamakis

 Climbing along the trail