Instead of going to the cottage for President's day weekend, I talked my parents into coming to visit us. I wanted them to try our ice rink before the season was over.  Theo and I really wanted to go to the cottage, but it was fun to have the in-laws check out the rink. As it was Valentine's day, the kids get spoiled with treats.  We got cake from the nearby Mexican market and the grandparents got the kiddos candies. We wanted to show my dad the Wirth Lake ice trail. Of course it started snowing heavily on our drive there. Meadow wasn't interested in coming. At least Theo was open to checking it out. 

After our stop in Dunbar for lunch, we drove the last hour to Three Lakes for Northwood New Year's Eve.  When we arrived we were greeted by Rudolph.  I love the addition to the Christmas decor this year. It was time for Second Christmas after all.   Grandpa must like playing with fire. Theo will not lose even if he lost. Deer pancakes for our first morning at the cottage. At least for Theo. The rest of us just got plain old pancakes. I'm not sure why, but they're always better when Grandpa makes them. I recently read that you should take a 30 minute walk after eating. Scott and I didn't bother getting dressed and headed outside. That was just my sister talking, but oddly I think it makes my reflux worse.    Another New Years with no snow. There was a tiny bit in the shade. Theo got to cut down the tree this year.

  As Theo would say, "The first time we're using our new car is on a road trip!" I can't believe how much cars have advanced in 10 years. So weird to have a built in screen with a back up camera.  Lane assist, traction control. Wait, I think our good old Honda Inisght was just really barebones. Plus it was actually 15 years old.  The fancy part of our new Ford Escape is that we've upgraded from a hybrid to a plug-in hybrid. About 40 miles all electric and then 40+ mpg gallon for a few hundred more miles.  The kids are loving the roomy backseat.  Driving through Cornell, we stopped at Sam's Place and Diner . We were surprised to see the interior had changed a lot since the last time we were here . I guess things change a lot after nearly ten years. Then we promised the kids ice cream at Dylan's Dairy.  Cute place but was hoping it was homemade ice cream. We had left in the morning instead of the night before so we could stop at Timm's Hill . The highest...

My parents came to visit this weekend. It's been over a year since they were here last. Naturally we took them to our favorite buffet Q. Cumbers. Then we walked around Centennial Lakes.  We are a bit obsessed with Q. Cumbers. An endless salad buffet and epic ice cream bar. What's not to like? My dad watched a YouTube video about the Coon Rapids Dam and wanted to see it in person. I had never been here before.  I'd biked up here a few times when we lived on the Northside of Minneapolis and then shot the dam for a client years back. The water was low enough it looked like you could walk to the island, but then it got deep fast.  Not quite, Brookie. If only my parents had e-bikes we could have went on a bike ride.  After the kids got out of school we debated on what to eat for dinner. Bryant Lake Bowl had been on my dad's bucket list for awhile.  We've eaten here but hadn't bowled yet.  This 1930's bowling alley stays true to it's original days. Meaning yo...

  On our drive to the cottage we stopped at our favorite ice cream shop: Klemish Creamery .  One of the farm cats wasn't looking so good and kept coming over by us so we finished our ice cream in the car.  He reeked.  That cat's gotta be put down.  Not a great endorsement, but ate our ice cream in the car and enjoyed it.  Meadow and Theo went straight to coloring outside when we got to the cottage. While waiting for breakfast we played a round of Cards Against Humanity family version.  Even baby Viola joined in. At least for a little while. Blake is always playing some sort of game with the kids. 

  This year we came up the night before the 4th. By the next morning it was already parade time.  I was excited for the parade, but feel like we missed out by arriving at the last second. (I'm always making this face when it's sunny. I blame my glasses). No Chelsea this year as she prepares to have a baby. Also I guess everyone is over the matching tie dyed shirts.  Or me since I was taking the picture.

On the road again. This time to Duluth for another one of Blake's graduations. Daniel wanted to show off the shed he had just built.  My parents were also here for Blake's grad party. We met up for dinner at The Shack in Superior. We were here for the fish fry, but of course we all had to get old fashioneds. Pardon my shitty food photography. The beers were quite large. We were all ready to go when my parents noticed the liquor store next door.  We waited, waited and waited some more for Gail and Mike to get some booze. They always have a buffet of booze whenever we see them at a hotel.