I'm loving summer in Minnesota! I forgot how cool Menards is. We scored this little kid's patio set for only $22! I'm still in shock from coming off of Alaska prices. However we do miss our friends in Alaska very much and after taking the girls for their vaccinations and going to church this week, I really miss my little Catholic Church in Alaska and our Public Health Nurses. Our nurse in Alaska, always checked out the kids herself to test their milestones by asking them to pick up a ball, or stack the blocks etc, rather than simply waiting for the parents to fill out paperwork, simply taking a very biased parent's word for it. All those Sunday masses in Alaska, at a Catholic Church and my ultra liberal moral code, produced not one day of feeling alienated or angry about something Father Jack said. I always left feeling a sense of community and felt like I wanted to go again each week because I got something out of it, not because of guilt. As usual, the very first time I go here they bash in vitro fertilization and stem cell research instilling nothing but a feeling that not all are welcome. On the up side, it was not the church in the town I live in, so I hope that one is better.
The girls completely sacked out after another busy day of playing with cousins.
Amber and Christa enjoying the summer day.
Bell and her "cousin" Addy take a short break from the swimming pool to have a snack.
My cousin Jolene and her family come to MN for a visit. We had fun getting our kids together again.
We closed on our house in late July, and got right to work painting nearly every room. Scott's mom and Dave helped us immensely with painting, power washing, plant pruning, cupboard washing, carpet shampooing, and perhaps most importantly, entertaining the kids!
The kids try out their new picnic table during a break from painting.
With the paint nearly dry, Jenny can't wait to replace the light covers for that finished look.
Isabel is in full imitation mode at 22 months. It was all we could do to keep that brush out of the paint. Poor kid just wants to help.
Is that Karen slacking? Of course not, she is doing the dreaded lower trim work trying to preserve the molding.
View from our sliding glass door. A double rainbow.
Isabel learning to "be gentle" with critters. This was taken at the A Maze n' Barnyard near Eden Valley Minnesota.
Little miss independent Isabel insists on walking rather than riding in the stroller, in Afton with Auntie Christa.
Isabel finds water whenever she can. She has been in many pools and puddles this summer.
The girls completely sacked out after another busy day of playing with cousins.
Amber and Christa enjoying the summer day.
Bell and her "cousin" Addy take a short break from the swimming pool to have a snack.
My cousin Jolene and her family come to MN for a visit. We had fun getting our kids together again.
The kids try out their new picnic table during a break from painting.
With the paint nearly dry, Jenny can't wait to replace the light covers for that finished look.
Isabel is in full imitation mode at 22 months. It was all we could do to keep that brush out of the paint. Poor kid just wants to help.
Is that Karen slacking? Of course not, she is doing the dreaded lower trim work trying to preserve the molding. 
