Pre-Trip to Minnesota

By Dan Aukes
    Pre-Trip to Minnesota

    Monday June 26th

    Headed to Minneapolis from Phoenix with Dan, Ben, Sam, and Max. Mom finished up picking up the house, cleaning, and washing the walls, while we headed to Aunt Alison and Nick’s.

    flying to MN flying to MN flying to MN

    Tuesday June 27th

    We went to Lucy lake, did some paddle boarding. stayed with max for the second round of paddle boarding while he played in the sand and we share an ice cream sandwich met up with Mike Stern and Katrina and family at a local brewery, had empanadas and tacos.

    Max slept in with his borrowed doggy sleeping bag playing at the lake goggles are important at the lake Max got cold quickly and mostly played in the sand I actually thought he was sleeping. He made a little bed for himself! The rewards of staying on shore with Dad There was some construction going on With Mike and Katrina and Co. With Mike and Katrina and Co.

    Wednesday June 28th

    I caught up on a little work, reading Yuhao’s thesis in the morning. took the kids to the park. Sammy had to come home early. Kids had an attempted water fight but it was a fractious affair. I cooked sausages and corn on the grill.

    Funny Kids Typical Sleeping Arrangement

    Thursday June 29th

    We went to lake Minnewashta in the morning, walked around a little bit by myself, pushed the kids in the swing, walked around, came back home for lunch, had a proper water fight with more and better water blasters, then had burgers and watched big hero six.

    Swings Swings At the lake Max dressed himself

    Friday, June 30

    Spent the morning at home, walked to the park, had a water blaster fight, did the slip and slide, read about the Marauders map, had tacos and a fire after dinner with s’mores and ghost stories.

    Recovery Day Recovery Day Recovery Day Color-changing tree-frog Ben and Astrid sitting in the water squirter refill station

    Saturday July 1st

    started the morning off with pancakes. headed to the lake around 11:00 and stayed most of the afternoon. came home, let the kids play in the basement, began a new book, had pizza and finished Big hero 6. Sara got in late.

    Fire and Smores Sam snuggled with Alison quite a bit on our trip Peace

    Sunday July 2nd

    We went to the pancake house for breakfast, came home, relaxed, and went to family night a)t the carnival.

    Roller Coaster Roller Coaster Sam and August making do with height limits Max going solo Big kids have all the fun Waiting in line for the carousel We bought two large lemonades for like 30 dollars each…and finished them both! Look in later photos to see them reappear. Using up the final ride tickets

    Monday, July 3rd

    We went to the lake all day, came home for a break, and went on an evening cruise on lake Minnetonka.

    Turkey Turkey Playground by the lake Pontoon pilot training Wind! Pontoon pilot training Jumbo Tanker rides again Watermelon monster Pontoon pilot training

    Tuesday, July 4

    We went to the fourth of July parade. We lit fireworks at home, and while captain nuclear was underwhelming, the flaming frog was great. We went to the fireworks overlooking Lake Minnetonka in Excelsior, and made it home quite late.

    At the parade Sammy reliving independence days past Good idea?? Setting off fireworks

    Wednesday, July 5

    Today was a recovery day; everyone slept in. Sara and I worked, the kids played and watched some “octonauts” so we could begin preparing for our trip, and we endured a rough patch with Sam & August because they were so tired. Made some major headway on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban though! Ate BBQ from Buddy Boy. Sara taught the kids how to blow bubbles with bubble gum.

    Relaxing with Alison Relaxing with Alison Sam loves flags :/ This project took several days to finish Gum chewing practice Gum chewing practice Gum chewing practice Best buds playing

    Thursday, July 6

    Last day in Minnesota. Final Packing, final syncing of computers (took longer than I would have hoped). The kids played well most of the day, we ate leftovers, and generally took it easy. Blew bubbles.

    Headed to the airport around 3pm. It was rough for the kids, especially Astrid.

    Checkin, security, and boarding went relatively smoothly. Our carrier was Condor, and there was a bit of a panic as to whether we would actually be fed on the plane or if we would need to buy our own overpriced snacks. Fortunately, dinner and breakfast was included!

    Expelliarmus! Kid portrait Chilling around the fire ring In the airport In the airport