82, sunny – not bad for the end of Sept.

[Photos at bottom of the post. As always, remember to click on each photo to enlarge]

We went to the hospital on Wednesday night last week. Two of our boys, Roman and Ezra, needed to get stitches for small cuts. Ezra cut his ear on the slide with dad in Minnetonka and Roman was at an ECFE class with Mom and he fell off a chair and cut his lip. Combined we had 10 stitches, Ezra had 8.

It was crazy when we went to the ER at children's - how familiar it all was for me. Even triage nurse remembered us.. cause I'd been there once with each of these boys. Then after we were done, 3+ hours later, the discharge nurse jokingly asked if we wanted a punch card.

Other highlights of the weekend included Daddy being the room helper and reading books at Levi's 1st Grade Class on Friday. (I read Bark George and Zoomer's Summer Snowstorm). Then Friday night Daddy and Levi wen to Twins Game thanks to the generosity of our friends, Cabot and Jacob. The Twins won ... it was their last victory at Target Field this year. Ezra and mama stayed up late and had an hour-long game of UNO.


On Saturday, after he had gymnastics, Ezra gpt a new 2-wheeler at Toys R Us; I ran over his old one a month ago with the van, and we couldn't seem to make the training wheels work on the other bikes we had in the garage. So now he has something that's greenish and says rattlesnake and he seems quite happy with it.

Then on Saturday evening, we all went down to Minnehaha Park and we rented one of those 6 person bikes where 4 big people can pedal. It was fun, but a lot of work, cause 2 of our big guys can't reach the pedals yet. The autumn leaves were wonderful. The Minnehaha Falls waterfall was a drip, I assume because of the dry summer.

Today, Sunday, we went to church as a family. We spent some time doing homework and working on raking leaves on side of the house.

It was a good weekend and I think we took the best advantage we could of the nice weather.

Here are some photos.

A funky photo of the slide where minutes later Ezra hurt his ear.

Roman and Ezra at the ER.

He's a brave little guy.

The Twins beat Detroit Tigers 4-2.

What awesome helpers!

Ezra's new bike.

Taken during our family bike ride Sunday.

We took this photo last weekend when we went to the lock and dam at the Mississippi River.

I took a series of photos of Ivy playing on the neighbors swing set.

She learned to swing on her tummy by herslef, or by following her brothers - not from me.

Ezra and Dad went to a kid play and learn class at community ed.

Yabba Dadda Doo!

Sam Out.

In a treehouse

Rally Day at church a few weeks ago. 

Silly Ezra and the bears.

We use this box as a gate to the upstairs. It is surprisingly effective.

Wayzata Beach with Roman, Ivy and Mommy when the boys were both at school. Dad was at work.

You won't see anyone in here you recognize. Sam took this right before he ran a 5K (about 3.1 miles) race Sept. 14.  Sam got 2nd place behind the guy in the yellow shirt and black shorts at the starting line. Sam's time was 19:46. 

Ezra

A late-summer trip to DQ.

Our local Dairy Queen in Minnetonka. Notice its a classic style store, not a Grill & Chill or Brazier.

Ezra = happy.

So I went for a run last week and took a photo of the MN viking mascot "Thor?" and the Target mascot "Bullseye"

I had to figure out how to use my phone to follow @vikingsfootball on Twitter and then sprint 8 blocks to go to their second location in downtown; but eventually I won two tickets to an upcoming Vikings game. Fun. 

Friday night date night: Just the two of us at the big water park by the Mall of America.

On Sept. 22, Levi ran the mile and then ran the half-mile at a cross country race for elementary kids.
We were very proud of him for running so hard. He looks so natural!
Levi's time in the mile was 8:56; about 7 seconds faster than the same race a week earlier. 

Levi's friend Sky (from church and preschool) ran the half-mile race. They finished at about the same time.

Ridgedale Library in Minnetonka in the autumn afternoon sunshine. Love that blue sky.

Levi had a big homework assignment this week to do this poster since he's going to be star of the week.
The project took all day Sunday.

Click to enlarge.

Highlight: When Levi grows up he wants to be a track star.

Highlight #2: If Levi had one wish, he would wish for a treehouse with a puppy in it.

Daddy is home.

This is the happy scene I get almost every day when I get home from work. Roman and Ivy running over to say hi and laugh. Christina making dinner.

I'm a very lucky guy  :)

Here are three other photos I meant to upload. The first two are our canoe adventure last week and the third is our anniversary dinner.

Recent Pictures

Wow, time is so limited. I can't believe how long it's been since I've written a post. ARGH

I thought I'd at least post a few pics of the last few weeks (not in order). First day of school pics will have to come soon. I will need to get back on this so things stay in order and get recorded!

 Ivy very excited that she and Dotty have the same hat.

Roman playing in the big sand box at the State Fair.

Funny hair.

Ivy playing dress up with beads at Ezra's preschool visit day.

Sam, Levi and Ezra out on the canoe at the Target book festival. They got stuck on the other side of the lake at the island because of the wind. They had to be rescued by the motor boat.

Mama and Roman in the maze at the arboretum. 

Ezra painting flowers at the arboretum.

Levi painting flowers at the arboretum.

A bench on some trails in Minnetonka. Same bench we took Levi's 2-year old pictures on when he wouldn't smile at Target portrait studio.

Mama and Levi both got a hole in 1 at the same hole (I got two holes in one that day) at a course in Richfield. Thank you crowdcut.

Silliness at the State Fair.

More sand play at the State Fair.

Roman and Ivy on the skateboard at Tanglen. (Coincidentally, I didn't even see this picture until right now. Now wonder they have had a new interest in getting the skateboard out.)

Ezra drawing a sunshine to welcome the walkers back to school.

Basket of Ivy.

Ivy lost in the maze.

Levi and Ezra running through the maze.

Levi giving Ivy a ride.

Most current family photo.

OK, thought I'd just take care of it now. Levi on the first day of school - September 4 in outfit
number 1.

After realizing how hot it was going to be that day, Levi in outfit number 2.

Levi unpacking and getting settled in at his seat.

Ezra peeling cucumbers for a salad.

Ezra on the first day of preschool - Sept. 10.