Redneck Rondevu

     Each year I plan a camping trip with "The Guys,"  it is always a blast and everyone has fun.  This years trip was a little different.  We went to the Superior National Forest with many comforts, we brought a camper, lawn chairs coolers, 2 large barrels of firewood, and.....most importantly several potato cannons.
     The canoeing was great, we paddled 8 miles, and portaged 1.5miles in a day.  Many fish were caught, some were eaten.  A few guys jumped in the lake, some of us laughed at them, others snored loud enough to scare the most burly bear away.  The Minnesota State bird was out in force,  the mosquito dope was more of a speed bump than a deterrent to them.  They bite one guys hand so much it swelled up to almost twice its normal size.  I got three bites in a row in my left arm pit.

     The trip had some rain, some sun, and lots of laughs, here is a few pics and a video, sorry no sound.

King Tut and other Science fun

A couple of weeks ago we went to the Twin Cities and enjoyed the day with our "adopted daughter" Sophia.  She made the trip extra fun adding in plenty of punches for the Slug Bug and Cruiser Bruiser game we only play on road trips.

 After Hawkeye's first youth Temple Trip we headed over to the St. Paul Harley Store where David did a little dreaming. He sat on a few bikes and left with a nice T shirt.  We fueled up at lunchtime on Buffalo Wild Wings and tasty fries then off we went to the Minnesota Science Museum.  Everyone really enjoyed seeing all of the Egyptian artifacts, and Sophie and I cringed at the HUGE earring on display. Orion seemed to enjoy all the hieroglyphics. Hawkeye was extremely impressed with the Gold, and Dave knew a lot about  the history and enjoyed seeing it in person. We all kinda wanted a Pharaoh's Beard that hooks around your ears, but alas none to be found.  If you get the chance to go see it We highly recommend it, especially if you have read the Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan.

Hawkeye being cool 

Orion just can't stay away from a piano...

Sophie found the perfect resting spot

Oh know the Dinosaurs are coming!! 

 We were actually there on the day the world was supposed to end so at 6 pm we thought  if it happened that in all reality we were in a good place- near the snack bar- with people we loved- so what more could we ask for??   It didn't end,  so we went to Taco Bell for some of Sophie's favorite food.  It was A GREAT DAY!!! 

Orion's Spring Piano Recital

Orion had 2 piano recitals this spring since he is working with 2 piano teachers.  We hope you enjoy watching as much as he loves playing! The first song is Sword Dance and the second is Fur Elise.

Hawkeye at his school's Talent Show

Hawkeye is in 6th Grade and had the opportunity to be in the school talent show.  He was so glad that he got to demonstrate his Bo Staff and then the 21 movement along with breaking board several different ways.  His wonderful instructor Master Chris Correia  from North Shore Taekwondo was even willing to come assist him.

Hope you enjoy the show!!

Snapper

     Yesterday I was driving by Fish Lake when I almost hit a descent sized snapping turtle.  I pulled over to the side of the road, grabbed a big stick out of the ditch, and proceeded to assist the turtle off of the road.  He or she took several snaps at my stick breaking the end off each time.  It wasn't to happy being moved from it's warm location.   I finally got it moved over to the ditch where I was able  to take a picture or two.  i grabbed it by the tail and place a hand under its shell, then I was able to walk it back into the woods toward the lake.
     I received several funny looks from the cars passing by, so of you were one of them, Yes that really was a snapping turtle being carried.  It must have been a funny sight.

Dave

Blue and Gold Celebration- by Orion

The blue and gold celebration

On Friday April 29^th their was a celebration. It was for a thing called cub scouts. I got two belt loops for music and photography. Some people know the TV show called Minuet to Win in it.

One game you had to stack 5 apples on top of each other and my mom won that in about 15 seconds. Another game you had to get 3 cookies in your mouth from your forehead without using your hands. The game that I played was when you have to try to roll marbles across a table and get 5 to stick to tape .

At the end everyone played with streamers.

That is a blue and gold celebration.

A nice way to start the day..........

 The boys are counting down the last quarter of school, and when I go to wake them up in the morning I hear..." just 5 more minutes..." But when I told them I had some warm homemade Cinnamon Bread and Hot Cocoa waiting for them, well lets just say that encouraged them to get out of bed.

I am the Master Chef not the Master Baker in our household- that title belongs to David- so when I do create something that turns out wonderful I get pretty excited.

Instead of getting out the normal plastic dishes I got out the pretty ones and it did make a difference.

Come on admit it- you can almost smell the cinnamon and melted butter- you want to take a bite, and yes that really is whipped cream on the cocoa, with the juicy red strawberries it was a meal fit for a king!







 This is the book I got the recipe out of.   YUM YUM YUM!