Minnesota

It seems to have become a tradition now to spend the 4th of July in Minnesota with Joseph's family. We usually have a BBQ at Lora and Jeff's house complete with firework displays in the driveway and even Jeff's home made variety. We follow that up with the official fireworks near their home in Jordan. We pile in the vans and find a good spot to set up camp in the crowds. While waiting, we enjoy snacks and sparklers along with good old-fashioned conversation and laughs. The fireworks are always a highlight for the kids and it is fun to create such memories each year on the 4th of July.




The day after the 4th, we gathered at a park in Apple Valley for a fun day of family activities and play. The kids made patriotic hats, played in the sand and swam in the lake.







We had lots of good food and games--relays, balloon tossing, and races.

And a family picture.

We spent a day enjoying the Kraft family and their home out in Minnetrista. What a great bunch of kids: 9 girls and 2 boys almost all perfectly aligned in terms of age.

On our final day in Minnesota, we spent a perfect Midwest summer evening outside. Ella and Jane became fast friends during our stay at Jennifer's house. They spent a long time walking Daisy and Duke.

Xander, not pictured here, had fun with Adam climbing around the boulders. Abigail and Maggie, along with Lora's girls, found their way to the garden where they picked berries for dessert.