Toothless

At 5 years, 10 months and 25 days, Miss EJB lost her first tooth!  The Tooth Fairy, whom Evie told us she "knows is just parents" left her a handmade card and $3... restoring the faith, or giving new reason to "believe".  Either way...

Bluefin Bay

This year's annual Northwoods weekend with the McNerneys and Furbers was the coldest one yet, with temps 10-30 degrees below zero much of the trip.  So, instead of XC skiing, snowshoeing, and strolling around Grand Marais and soaking in the outdoor hot tub for countless hours, we took in the North Shore surround through a pane of glass and next to a cozy fire in our lake side cabin.

Pit stops at Lake Superior Brewing Company and Castle Danger Brewery on the way up, and late night laughs over Heads Up, Wits & Wagers and the like were this year's highlights.  Oh, and the fewer and farther between hot tub dips, of course.  

Alexander Finn

E & S are pleased to announce the birth of their new cousin, Alexander Finn (8 lbs, 5 oz, 21"... give or take).  

Both Alex and mom (Tisha) are doing well.  Dad and sister (Lucy, pictured) don't know what hit them yet!

Thumbnail

Home Depot's Kids Workshop was a hit with the girls, especially Rose... as she was coming off "Tools Week" at school.  

As for Dad, there's nothing better than blue collar projects with the girls... but after playing nail-holder for my little carpenters-in-training, let's just say the event hurt so good!

He's ba-ack!

Long story short, Big G had a back/disc issue and was to avoid walks, fetch, furniture and steps for the a month.  Torture for our playful, active young-at-heart pup.

On the day the activity ban was lifted, we took him to Camp Bow Wow for a day of play with his long lost buddies.  Griff cried (joyfully) the entire ride to doggy daycare, and give Linds a million kisses en route.  The pic above is a selfie L snapped at a stop light. 

Happy boy (and girl)! 

Minnetonka Kids' Fest

The City of Minnetonka hosts an annual day of fun for kids at the Civic Center, not far from J & T's place.  We bundled the girls and made an afternoon of it.  Their favorites were the dog sledding, the magic show... and, of course, the Elsa and Kristoff characters.

Easy Money

Texas Hold 'Em.

Just for kicks

It's been fun to see the girls unique skills emerge through organized sports.  On the soccer field, E's got great defensive instincts and loves protecting the net... while S, on the other hand, is like a miniature rocket on the field, and darts through the tiniest of spaces to break up a "scrum" (or whatever you soccer people call it) or chase down a free ball.  I've literally been trying to get a crisp picture of her for four weeks, and she's a blur every time!

Side note: Soccer didn't even exist as a school sport where I grew up... yet E & S, at ages 4 & 5, are playing a couple hours a week, in a dome, on AstroTurf.