I had a job back up in Park Rapids, Minnesota, so we made a weekend out of it. As we tend to do we stopped at Revel Brewing for beer, kombucha, root beer and pizza. We got the small pizza on accident, but it would do. Looking back from previous times we've been here the pizzas used to be bigger.  I think we just ordered the larges in the past. My bad. This year Theo has suddenly discovered he likes reading. When he finds a book he wants at the bookstore we have to say yes. 

While Scott was exploring ( I was working...) California the kids and I were back home. Porch breakfast and planning for our upcoming Washington road trip. Today we had plans to go apple picking and hiking. I packed us a picnic lunch for our day. Meadow had earned some money recently and with her money bought herself a music stand. It arrived today. Then the kids and I drove to Whistling Well Farms to go apple picking. We had been here a couple times in the past few years. 

Scott had a job in Rochester so we decided to make a weekend of it and go camping. Was nice to finally get out of town with Brooke and the kids for the first time since the 4th of July.    Before we left on our little trip, Scott and I scored a deal for a porch swing on Facebook Marketplace. Our porch is my favorite room and now it looks even better with the swing. I'd like it better if it didn't have storm windows and was open air like it's meant to be. After Scott's quick shoot in Rochester we were ready for lunch. Every time I go to Rochester, I eat at Al Madina . Apparently if a Middle Eastern restaurant has that name it's good.  You also know a restaurant is good if you're the only white people there.  It was fun to share this place with the family. These kids can be super picky but are also little foodies.  You just have to know their favorites. They absolutely love gyros and falafel. We stopped at the local library quick so Scott could use the wifi. This ...

On my visit to Wisconsin last week I accidentally left behind my rain coat. I wasn't going to see my parents until Labor Day. With this rainy summer and a Boundary Waters trip coming up I was going to need it back. They happened to be in Duluth this weekend so we agreed to meet halfway. To make the drive a little easier I booked a campsite at Banning State Park. This is our first camping trip with our new car. No box needed. I was in Cincinnati, so couldn't tag along. Mac and cheese for dinner. I was worried with all the rain this summer the bugs would be terrible, but it wasn't bad at all. We played a few rounds of catch-em stick-em. Then popcorn before it got dark. Meadow helped me with breakfast.

This year is my 40th birthday. We originally thought we'd go to Mackinac Island and also played with the idea of going to Montreal. With a spring break trip coming up we settled on a cabin on the Gunflint Trail. The Gunflint Trail is one of our favorite spots in Minnesota. So, why not? We'd also decided to go on another campervan/RV relocation adventure at the end of the month. So don't act like I don't treat my honey. On our drive up we stopped at Tobie's to get cinnamon bread for french toast.  Just like a few years back we stopped at Hungry Hippie Tacos in Duluth. I feel like we have to document whenever these kids get along as it's a rarity these days. 

Every morning must start with Nintendo Switch time.  Every morning must always start with porch breakfast.  Theo told me he wants to start learning how to cook and bake. We started our first lesson with making scrambled eggs.  Also Theo decided earlier this week he wanted his haircut. He was sick of his hair blowing in his eyes and touching his neck. He also mentioned that a couple kids at school asked if he was a boy or girl. 

It was Brooke's birthday cabin weekend. We were going to the brand new camper cabins at Soudan Mine-Lake Vermillion State Park, but decided to break up our drive in Duluth. Remnants of Boubville still stand in Blake's backyard. Scott and I wanted to get breakfast at Duluth Grill but the kids won with their request for Superior Waffles . The place is pretty good to be honest. Blake has made progress since we were here last. He said he was trying to get it all done before Easter and was then disappointed to learn we wouldn't be coming for Easter this year. Sorry Blake and Daniel. If we had more room in our Roadsufer campervan rental , we'd bring you along next month. This years birthday cabin brought us to Lake Vermilion State Park . My original plan was to go to Winnipeg, but knowing this mild winter, we didn't think that would work. We even talked about going to Arkansas. With a spring break trip coming up we decided to stay close by. The Minnesota State Park camp...

I  woke up to a nice birthday note from Meadow.  I had some PTO to use, it was Scott's birthday, the weather was supposed to be unusually warm and Blake and Daniel were in town. Since our ice rink was melting we thought we'd go for a bike ride.  

We came home from the cottage for a few days before it was time to leave again. We drove through the prairies and farm fields of Minnesota to go to South Dakota. First hotel shoot workcation of the impending summer. We were in a bit of a rush after Brooke finished work to get to Sioux Falls.. I had to shoot twilight shots of the hotel. After I finished shooting some exteriors, we got our much needed dinner at Gilliberto's near downtown Sioux Falls.   You know we love a good hole in the wall taco joint, especially if it's in a former Hardee's. This place was a weird mishmash of classic American tacos and authentic Mexican.   The hotel we were staying at had a mini indoor waterpark. When we got there after breakfast we had the place to ourselves. Theo loved the waterslide. I think we went down at least 20 times. A few more families came in after us but it was never very busy.  Lucky dogs, I was busy shooting hotel rooms and amenities. After swimming for a few hours the...

Another year around the sun means another birthday cabin trip. I originally thought going to Canada would be fun. We also looked at a few Hipcamps in Wisconsin and Minnesota. I was worried a few weeks ago with the warm up that we'd have to find somewhere north to find snow. Then we had the huge snowstorm. Long story short, we found ourselves heading back to Tettegouche Camp.  I spent a whole day looking for the perfect rustic AirBNB or Hipcamp, but then Brooke brought up Tettegouche Camp. I always forget about the long hikes or wood fired stoves.  When we got to Duluth we decided to try out the new Duluth location of Grand Marais' Hungry Hippie Tacos. As usual our eyes are bigger than our stomachs.  We shared a chimichanga and nachos, but should've went with there signature fry bread tacos. Daniel was really excited for us to play games on the VR headset.  So, that's what they did the rest of the night.   Meadow and I shared a bed. I just couldn't get over how b...