Farmers Park

Yesterday, Katie, Genelle and all the kids went to Farmer's Park! I hadn't been there since the flood, it looks great. There's multiple play structures placed through it and lots of shelters/picnic tables. And of course, the great little creek that runs through it. The kids had fun going from rock to rock and walking through the cold water. Katie happened to have a little green boat so they took turns throwing it in and catching it on the other end. On some super hot day, we'll have to bring swimsuits. It's really clean, but really cold. There were a few guys with metal detecters and they showed us their loot, some silver coins and coins dated back to the 1800s. Before we left, the kids tried their luck at digging for coins.

Deer Park

Yesterday afternoon, the kids and I saw Toy Story 3. It's so cute, and a little dramatic for little ones at times. Suspenseful anyways. The ending is so sweet. Then we went over to Deer Park and played at the playground for a little bit. We were quickly invaded by a handful of dirty kids, so we left. It's not the cleanest park in Winona, that's for sure.

Camp!

Here is Luke Friday after his last morning of camp this week. He was so proud of that thing in his left hand. A hardened ball of clay, painted. Most of the other kids attempted to make caterpillers or butterflies with theirs, but Luke insisted his was a "rock flower." Good enough. They grew some grass and some sort of plant in an old shoe spray painted silver. Not sure what will come of that, but we put it on the ledge in the porch and will water it. They went on lots of hikes, learned some songs, painted stuff, played at the little playground, drew with sidewalk chalk, and there may or may not have been worm races. He started telling me a very believable story about them, but then it turned awfully silly. So the verdicts still out on that. He had alot of fun, which is great, because he goes back late July for another week! It will be camping themed though.

Saturday with Stella

Actually, these were taken yesterday, but either way. Stella is 14 weeks old today! Yesterday, Emily says to me "She's being sweet, take a picture!" Ha! That definitely is her sweet time, when she's a little bit tired. She's growing like a weed, those long legs are starting to scare me! It'll be fun seeing how big she gets.

Whitewater Beach

Katie and the girls came and picked up Emily yesterday morning while Luke was at camp and they went over to Whitewater State Park, Luke and I met them after camp. Before we got there, they all hiked up Chimney Rock trail. Emily said there was a cave at the top! When Luke and I got there, they were having fun at the beach. A Whitewater worker came over around Noon and gathered up the kids to find water creatures in the river with nets! They had fun scooping up tadpoles. One kid even found a crayfish. After the beach, the kids and I went over to the campground and found our site for when we camp there the end of July. It looks pretty nice. Shaded is definitely a plus! We would have explored it more, but there were campers in it. They happened to be the ones we saw earlier at the beach with an old Golden Retriever named Margaret!

Farm Night!

Last night was Family Fun Night at the Farm! Every June, Winona County picks a farm to host. This year it was at Tews Farm in the Rollingstone/Lewiston area. They are the ones with the big corn maze in the fall. The kids had so much fun! Luke was totally in his element being able to sit on all sorts of tractors, skid steers, loaders, you name it. And Emily couldn't get enough of the kittens and puppies. If we couldn't find her, there is where she was! There were bounce houses, the famous blue barrel train ride, lots of games, baby farm animals, hot dogs and brats with the fixings, root beer floats, the big cow barn and a big pile of dirt. Luke was too busy by the equipment, he didn't even notice it! I'm thinking if we make it up to the State Fair this year, we'll be spending a considerable amout of time at Machinery Hill.