Fulton Farmer's Market

Despite the new temporary (and future 'permanent') suburban locale, we still try to zip into the City for some nostalgic SW Minneapolis fun.  This past weekend, we took in the Fulton Farmer's Market for some brick-oven 'za, live music... and dancing. 

Padres

Last summer, her first playing the sport, YMCA t-ball was love-at-first-bat for E.  She was giddy to play each week, and actually cried when the season ended.

This "summer", Ev's relationship with t-ball was a little more... complex.  But, when the conditions were just right (temps between 65 and 75, no rain, wind < 5 mph, overcast enough to keep the sun out of her eyes), she returned to her summer of 2012 form and love for the game.

Oh, and the mid-season purchase of a pink glove and pink bat seemed to help too (as did the support of her #1 fan, SRB)!  

TCF Minions

General Mills celebrated the 40th anniversary of their Employee Network Club by renting out "the Bank" and hosting a family friendly party, "headlined" by the showing of 'Despicable Me' on the stadium's jumbotron.

Fun idea.  Gorgeous night.

Gentle giant

E & S took turns feeding Zawadi during a quick Father's Day trip to the MN Zoo.

(Not pictured: the other 16 feet of the giraffe!)

Monkey Cheeks

Trademark, Foss Swim School

AMI, collaged

A few of the week's best sights and scenes (L>R, T>B)… 

• Our rental's private pool
• Sandcastles
• Star Fish Company (try the blackened Grouper!)
• J&T's Old Bay shrimp boil
• Post-bedtime cocktails
• A note to Tropical Storm Andrea
• Dip's Ice Cream
• Dolphins (I hope!)
• Great Blue Heron
• The sun setting on the Gulf Coast
• Made-to-Order Donuts
• Ghost Crabs

Fun in the (occasional) sun

 

Aside from lovin’ on Lucy, Evie & Sawyer’s faves from the week were (as stated during their post-trip interview):

• “ma-king cas-tles in-the-sand, in the sand..."
• "eating ice cream"
• "splashing the waves”
• "eating donuts"
• "playing hit the ball with Laura"
• “swimming in the hot tub”
• "playing mini golf"
• "seeing rainbows"

Cousins!

But, the ultimate highlight of the trip was meeting and bonding with our new niece (and cousin), "Baby Lucy".  E & S just couldn't get enough, racing all week to be the first on scene to help hold, bottle-feed, bathe, soothe, cuddle or play. 

We miss you already, Lucy!

"Nana" Maria Island

Nana’s “milestone” birthday wish had Joe, La & I, and our families spending a week together with her on a beach, gulf-side in Florida (Anna Maria Island). 

Tropical Storm Andrea’s uglier-than-desired weather had us cooped up a little more than we had hoped for, but we still got in a healthy dose of sun/pool/beach time… and, surprisingly, seemed to all get along better than we did the last time we all lived under the same roof (1995, at ages 18,15 & 8!)