Mall of America

Dear Jude,
While we were in Minneapolis we went to the Mall of America to celebrate Ava's 5th birthday. Your dad and I didn't know what you would think of the rides because of your history with motion sickness, but you LOVED going on the rides with your cousins and thought the day was super fun. Ava, we can't believe you are 5! Thanks for a fun birthday party!

 

Jon and Jude riding the Thomas Train....

 

Love this one, because you can barely see Jude and it looks like Jon is riding the magic bus by himself ..

 

 

Go Twins

Dear Jude,
You had a super fun weekend in Minneapolis with the Meendering clan in late July. We all had a great time seeing a Twins game in Target Field for the first time.  I would have to say some of your favorite parts of the weekend included  riding the train toand from the game with his cousins, eating hot dogs at the ball park and and yelling "GO TWINS" during the game.  More fun times were to be had at Ava's 5th birthday party celebration the next day, but we will share those pictures in another post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tee Time

I love the feel of being out on the golf course. Brings back such great memories of high school golf, collage golf, and the summers I spent working at Edgebrook. We played some great courses while we were in Rapid City and loved every minute. Jude even came along for a round. Hopefully he will love the game as much as his parents!

Connor and Jude sporting their golf hats...

Gpa, Julia, Ali and Jude taking a water break...

Love this photo of Julia and Jude. Julia you were so good with him!

Drivers License?

Jude had his first taste of driving when we were at the Meendering family reunion in July and couldn't get enough. Made mom a little scared considering I got in an accident the very first day I had my drivers licence, but Jude prevailed without any crashes.  We a great time with family at the reunion.  Jude couldn't get enough of his cousins and Jon and I enjoyed a few morning runs, good food, fishing, and fireworks with the family. 

Driving the gator with Addison and Jamison...

Blowing bubbles with Aunt Sam....

Riding in the gator with Eden...

Begging to drive....

 Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren with Grandma V...

 Jude loves Great Gma....

Who needs a vacation?

We went out to the black hills for a few days in July. Jude loved playing in the sand with his cousins and exploring storybook island for the first time.  Jon and I loved a few days away from our work routines and being surrounded by the trees and the beautiful landscapes of the black hills. 

Jude playing in the sand with his cousin Rita...

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Jude and Daddy relaxing on the beach in the same spot as last year... Wow things have changed since Jude's first trip to the black hills.....

 Riding the train at storybook island with cousin George...

 Welcome to storybook island... (We were only there a half hour before a huge thundstorm rolled in.  We tried to wait it out but the troops got restless and when there was a let up in the rain we made a break for it)...

Jude playing in the sand and water with Grammie.  He threw a fit about putting his swimming suit on and the walked right into the water with his clothes on (socks and shoes too)....

Jon and I after a fun day playing at lake Sheridan....

Jude and Rita dug a huge whole and filled it with lake water. Jude decided it was his own personal swilling pool....