"We're off to Minnesota for another safari.
I'm wearing my headband instead of my hat in the car."
"Gramma, do these earrings look cute on me?"
Minnehaha Falls.
You have to hear the Google navigator say that.
It sounds like she's laughing.
We all did, each time she said it.
Minnehaha means falling water.
We didn't need a stroller when there were so many people
eager to take a turn carrying Nolan.
We have visited the falls during a drought,
when there was no water flowing over the falls.
Daddy and Nolan are almost the same size.
I can't begin to count our trips to Minnesota.
I never imagined we would have to travel even farther
to keep our family together.
What a family portrait.
And this is only ten minutes from Becky's house!
"Look Aunt Becky, can you see the water?"
Daddy's turn for Nolan.
"Daddy, we need to take one of these home.
It's a stroller for the whole family."
Nolan is on top of the world.
We did a lot of card playing in Minnesota.
After one of the games, Matt told Amanda she'd been "Schwadied."
(This is a reflection on Uncle Bob Schwade's card playing.
It's not necessarily positive.)
You're really a famous card player, when you become a verb.
Matt said he had to practice up for the tournament at Aunt Linda's.
He'll have to practice more next time...
Kevin and Eric are the reigning champions at cards;
until next time.
Nolan enjoyed watching this guy cross Aunt Linda's driveway.
I guess he was looking for a good spot to watch the fireworks.
Bob's garden is in the backyard.
No wonder he has a fence around it.
We also made a trip to the Como Zoo.
The monkeys are Gramma's favorite.
It seems the monkeys are as entertained by us,
as we are by them.
Nolan was not at all sure he wanted to touch the animal's claw.
There were a lot of hands on opportunities at the zoo.
Nolan decided to pass on most of them.
Look, it's Aunt Linda's turtle!
Bears can sleep even longer than Grampa.
"I'm not sure I want to be so close to the bear."
The twins also enjoyed the model of the bear's lair
when they went to the Como Zoo.
Once they're inside, an adult is nearly too big to get them out.
Nolan would have been willing to stay in the lair all day.
The buffalo appears to be in need of grooming.
This is Nolan doing his sign for please.
Now he can also say it.
It's so exciting, he gets whatever he asks for
(except Grampa's remotes.)
I hope he never gets tonsillitis.
"Gramma, the giraffe's legs look a bit like yours."
"Are you sure they won't move?"
Nolan likes to make the sound of a wolf.
He must be very good at it.
The wolf came over to check him out.
Naptime at the zoo.
"If his coat is here, where did the rest of him go?"
"I will share my new cup from Aunt Linda with you,
if you're very good."
Another long car ride home.
Nolan goes through a lot of toys during the trip.
He really enjoyed his new cup.
And his kazoo.
We all enjoyed that.
Thanks Aunt Andrea and Uncle Jim.
Grampa was caught texting while hoarding three remotes.
He starts to tremble, if anyone gets too close to them.
No wonder, I can't watch anything on television,
play a DVD, or listen to Pandora without help.
News from Our California Crew
Years of camping at White PInes have supplied the skill
to teach skipping stones to the next generation.
Half the battle is in the selection of the rocks.
Quiet water is helpful, too.
The Guinness record throw is 51 skips.
