the righteous rhizome

I didn't have to ask the boys twice to help with preparing the rhubarb for a special beverage.



Our new favorite summer drink: rhubarb soda. It's also smooth and refreshing as "The Ruby June" (for those over age 21).

still crazy after 15 years

magnetic monday

father's day 2009

Geoff and I awoke the morning after our half-marathon and were promptly given donuts and mochas for dad's day. Logan gave me two wooden knick-knacks he had glued, painted, and decorated earlier in the week. Owen gave me a balloon. Breakfast on the deck completed the perfect morning.

post race activities

After lunch we hopped in the Sienna and headed down to Leif Erickson Park. After a walk through the rose garden, the kids (and Tony) performed on the stage before playing at the water's edge. The girls screamed at the discovery of a giant water bug on the rock where they were sitting.

half marathon 2009

The Goellner's visited us this weekend so Geoff and I could participate in the Gary Bjorklund Half Marathon. The temperature was excruciatingly hot but at least the race started early and we weren't running the full marathon. We both finished near our goals and enjoyed the post-race festivities with the Myers brothers. I also enjoyed the first plunge of the season into mighty Lake Superior - always refreshing to say the least.

Our support crew awaits our arrival while munching on scones from Great Harvest.



Tony passes by at approximately the 10.5 mile mark.



Two handsome actors (SNL skit from the 1990s) celebrate after the race.



Owen watches the activities.



The boys show off at the playground.

guitar man

"Who draws the crowd and plays so loud,
Baby its the guitar man.
Whos gonna steal the show, you know,
Baby its the guitar man." - Bread 1972

beach day

We spent the day at the beach. There were ore boats to captain, jungle gyms to explore, spider webs to amaze us, flowers to smell, rocks to skip, and warm sand to wiggle our toes in. Worth every minute stuck in traffic battling the annual Park Point rummage sale.

weather station

Logan took birthday money from his great-grandma and bought himself a SmartLab weather station. Early the next morning he was out collecting wind and temperature data. By the afternoon he had already taught Owen how to identify different types of clouds.

carnival thrillz

The birthday hijinx continued at Carnival Thrillz, the local amusement center. The boys played a few games, rode the carousel, and traded in their tickets for candy.

Logan prepares to roll a big score.



Nothing says family fun like whacking rubber sharks with a hammer.

Everyone spent a bit of time posing by the funny mirrors.

Round and round on the carousel.

logan turns 7

Happy Birthday Logan!!

After a covert run to cub foods for morning donuts, Logan opened his presents from Owen - a bright red tape dispenser and different colored ink pens. After mom returned from work, Logan opened his other gifts and then we visited Carnival Thrillz for games and rides. Logan selected a birthday dinner of cheddarwursts, baked beans, green beans, and banana splits. We ended the day by watching the conclusion of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" which we had started watching on a previous family movie night.

Logan demonstrates his new projector with a Dr. Seuss book.



The amazing whirligig thing-a-ma-bob.



Banana splits prepared exactly per the birthday boy's precise instructions.

More fun with the projector.

heavy metal drummers

Today's jam session featured the boys on drums and dad on electric bass guitar. Afterwards, we all took turns on the Moog Etherwave Theremin.

dad's little helper

While I was mowing the lawn, Owen came out of the garage and said, "I'm going to help you cut the grass with my ride-on mower. See how I drive in front and it mows in back?"

swim time

Our friendly neighborhood Econo Lodge started offering a swim pass that is a great deal compared to paying for one visit at a time. Logan has been working hard in between his YMCA lessons and has graduated to the Minnow class. Owen asked, "How come I don't get to go swimming too?" So the whole family headed over for some chlorine-enhanced fun.



Playing the red light, yellow light, green light game to practice kicking and get our splash on.



Logan prepares for an award-winning jump.

transportation night 2009

The first Monday in June means it's time for another ECFE Transportation Night. Overall, there seemed to be less vehicles this year but still plenty to explore.

Logan stands outside the Bookmobile.



Both boys check out the garbage truck.



I wanna drive the zamboni.

Logan drives the school bus.

Owen mans the controls of a Bobcat.