Day 17- Minneapolis Mayham

Today was a long and busy day. We started out early at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. It was really neat to see the kids (we brought Reese along also) study the art and try to figure out what everything was supposed to be. I think their ideas were actually a lot better than ours in many cases. The highlight of the Garden was definitely the Spoon and Cherry Sculpture. It is very vivid and the kids just thought it was neat. It sprays water from the top too, so the kids got to get a little wet and have some fun.

From the Sculpture Gardens, we went down the the riverfront on the Mississippi to look at the river and some of the old mill factories. It was very pretty scenery, but once again we forgot the camera. We are going to have to work on this. We don't want to get back to Charlotte and realize we took all these great pictures the first half of the trip and then slacked off.

The next stop was absolutely insane. For those of you who have not been to the Mall of America in Minneapolis, you will have no real way of understanding what this place is like. It actually has a large amusement park in the center of the mall. I thought it would all be kid rides, but it actually has a lot crazy adult rides. I can truly say I have never seen a log flume in a mall. We started out with lunch at the Rain Forest Cafe and then did some shopping. After that it was off to the arcade to win some prizes. (Brian
- you will be happy to know we won almost 1000 tickets on only $10-  performance.) Finally we wandered the center section and took pictures with some of the park characters, including the Backyardigans and Dora the Explorer.

Jen's favorite stop of the trip so far would have to be the flagship Target store in Minneapolis. It is a two store Target with one of the coolest escalators I have ever scene. There is an escalator for the people and a funky lift on the side that carries your shopping cart up and down beside you.

We wrapped up the Minneapolis stage of the trip with another great evening at the park and band shell listening to the U.S. Air Force Band with Betsy, Brandon and the kids. We cannot thank them enough for their hospitality. I just don't want to wait another fifteen years before we decide to hang out again.


Link to Today's Pictures:

June 29

Day 16--Como Zoo

We got a bit of a slow start today as the kids didn't wake up until 9:30!! 

We headed out to the Como Zoo in St. Paul, after a quick stop to grab some breakfast.  As soon as we walked through the gates, we heard that the sea lion show was about to start, so we went to find a seat.  The show was good, but it was very similar to the one we saw in St. Louis.  We checked out all the usual animals: lions, tigers, monkeys, polar bears, flamingos, etc... 

Attached to the zoo is Como Town, a small amusement park for kids.  Emma and Jake went on every ride their height allowed.  They had a ball.  Jake was a little loopy after the spinning tea cup ride...  I have to admit that I was a little dizzy just watching them!

We left Como Town and grabbed lunch at McDonald's. 

We decided to check out the University of Minnesota.  We had no idea that the campus was split between the river.  They have a great pedestrian bridge that connects the two campuses.  We parked the van and walked over the bridge with the kids.  Emma and Jake would probably say that it was more of a forced march...  They were not as impressed as we were!  As we were walking, we noticed a tree that had at least a hundred pairs of shoes dangling on it!

Dane and Brandon went to the Minnesota Twins/Detroit Tigers game tonight, so Betsy and I took the kids for ice cream.  It took us about 20 minutes to walk 3 blocks with Emma on the bike, Reese on the scooter, Jake and Kate in strollers, and Case (the golden retriever) on a leash.  There were a few hectic moments!!  The ice cream was delicious!  It was so nice out, we decided to go across the street to the playground.  We happened upon a great little band playing in the field next to the playground.  The four kids had a great time dancing and romping around!

We headed back to the house for bath time and bed!

Link to Today's Pictures:

June 28

Day 15- Minneapolis

Minneapolis is one of the coolest cities I have visited. It is such a great family place and has to be one of the fittest places I have ever seen. Everyone is riding a bike or jogging. I guess they just want to take advantage of the warm months they have.

Today, we went to a public pool that was amazing. They had two full size water slides and several smaller kids slides, in addition to a huge area with fountains and water play that never got deeper than three feet. I hate that we forgot the camera, because these would have been some excellent pictures. Jake and Emma were so taken with the large slides (requiring tubes and took about a 30 sec. ride down), that we will be returning with the pool passes on Tuesday. I will make sure that we bring the camera, because Jake giggled the whole way down and I want a picture of his face as he finishes.

After a long day at the pool it was time for some rest.

For dinner we headed to a local park that houses what is said to be the second oldest rose garden in the United States. The interesting thing is that it is maintained completely by volunteers. We had a great picnic as the kids romped and checked out the fountains. Special props to Emma who rode Reese's bike (Reese was on the scooter), the whole way- 1/2 mile each way.

Brandon and Betsy have to work tomorrow so we are off to explore the zoo and the sites of downtown solo. They will be missed as we wander, as they have been awesome hosts.

Link to Today's Pictures:

June 27

Day 14- Relaxing in Minnesota

Yesterday day was a great day with friends. We got going around 10:00 and headed to Lake Calhoun for some swimming and kayaking. The kids had a great time on the playground and swimming in the lake. Brandon even brought the kayak along and the kids got to enjoy several trips up and down the lake. It is a lot of fun watching the friendship process evolving in Reese and Emma as they feel each other out and decide how to interact with each other. They are doing great and I am sure Wednesday will be a tough day when we have to leave. Jake is having a great time with Kate, as I think he is excited to be the leader for once.

After the lake Dane and Brandon headed off to a great local bar (330 different beers) to watch the USA/Ghana game. This was the only real disappointment of the day as our boys struggled to find their form and were bounced from the World Cup 2-1 in OT.

The highlight of the day was definitely Brandon and Betsy's planning ahead and hiring a babysitter for the kids. I can't remember the last time we actually went out for the night with another couple and no kids. We went to a great Italian restaurant and just enjoyed adult conversation for a few hours. This section of the trip really makes you wonder why you wait so long to reconnect with good friends.

Link to Today's Pictures:

June 26

Day 13- Lincoln to Minneapolis

Today was mostly a driving day. We left Lincoln around 8:00 and made a quick stop in Omaha to check out the site for the NCAA College World Series. Jen and Emma were not impressed, but Jake and Dane had fun looking at all the souvenirs and junk. From there, it was a long haul though Iowa. We did have a very nice stop in Ames, Iowa- home of Iowa State University. We enjoyed an excellent lunch at a little dive called The Pizza Pit and then headed to the Student Union for a visit. Emma looked bored enough to draw the attention of the head of the visitors center, who once hearing about the trip, gave each of the kids a free ISU t-shirt and coloring book ( I guess I will pull for them now from time to time).

We arrived at Brandon and Betsy's house in Minneapolis around 6:30 in the midst of a pretty wicked thunderstorm. As it turns out, they lost power about 10 minutes before our arrival so we spent the evening hanging out and catching up as Jake and Emma got to know Reese and Kate. It was actually quite nice to not have all the technology and noise to distract the conversation.

Fortunately, the power is now back on and we are ready for some Minnesota fun.

Day 12--Lincoln, Nebraska

We started off with a trip to Lincoln's Children's Zoo.  We weren't too sure about it because we couldn't find very much information on it.  We were thrilled when we pulled up to find that it was actually very nice!  And to top it off, it was free since we're members of the NC Zoo!  There was a lot of shade which made it extremely pleasant.  Emma and Jake enjoyed looking at all the animals (as usual). It was a small zoo, so we were done in about 1 1/2 hours (which was also very nice!)

Then it was off to find some lunch.  We ate in downtown Lincoln at Gourmet Gyros.  It was delicious...and cheap!

After lunch, we walked around the corner to the Lincoln Children's Museum.  The kids had a ball--Emma especially enjoyed the Performing Arts Stage.  Lots of dress up and dancing.  Jake enjoyed the firetruck and the pizza restaurant.

There was a concert at the museum at 6:00, so we stayed to watch.  We only stayed for a half hour since the kids were exhausted, and it was extremely crowded!

Link to Today's Pictures:

June 24

Day 11- Driving to Nebraska

The day began with an 8:00 am viewing of the USA v. Algeria World Cup Game at the Fowl Line Bar and Grill in Castle Rock, CO. If you missed this game you missed an instant classic as the men won their group and advanced to the Round of 16 with a last minute goal by Landon Donovan. A special thank you to Jen for delaying our departure and letting me view the game.

Not a whole lot can be said about the rest of today. We left Denver and did not see another city, or town for that matter for over 400 miles. The only highlights of the day before arriving in Lincoln, NB, involved random sightings while stopping to pee. These included the strange little dinosaur at a roadside gas station and the Sod House Museum, complete with fake buffalo and Indian.

We finally arrived in Lincoln around 7:00 to our lovely little hotel, The Settle Inn. The kids enjoyed a quick game of putt-putt and some giant burgers at King Kongs (decorated entirely with stuffed monkeys), before heading in for the evening. Much to explore in Lincoln tomorrow as we hit the zoo and childrens museum.


Link To Today's Pictures:

June 23

Day 10--Movie, Baseball, and the Lake

Today started out nice and mellow, as much rest was needed from yesterday's excursions. After a quick oil change (by the way, if you have a 2010 KIA you have to bring your own filter), we took the kids to see Toy Story 3. Not a bad movie, but if you have seen the first two, you have basically seen the plot. The get lost in a place they don't want to be and have to get back to Andy.

In the afternoon, Jake and Dane headed out to the Colorado Rockies/Boston Red Sox game. Emma was definitely not happy to be left out, but her fun came later. Jake was beside himself with joy at the ball park. We had some tense moments as we waited in line, but all was well once we got inside and he got his mini-bat and baseball. After a little bit of t-ball, pictures with the mascot (Dinger), and the Coors Field Playground we actually got to watch a little bit of baseball. The Sox were not on their game tonight and sadly fell 2-1. However, Jake had a great time watching batting practice and the outfield warm-up. Dane thought it was great that David Ortiz was in the outfield shagging flies and had his son (maybe six years old) in the outfield with him and let him throw each of balls into the fans.

Emma and Jen got to make a surprise return trip to the lake with Erika and Steve tonight. They headed out around 6 pm and had a great time.  Emma especially enjoyed hanging her hand out of the boat to feel the water rushing by.  After about an hour, the kids got out of the boat and went for a little swim at the beach.

Link to Today's Pictures:

June 22