Catching Up Post - August (Dance Camp, Fair, Detroit Lakes)!

Back for some more updates!! August 2018 was probably one of the busiest summer months I can remember!  We packed in a lot of stuff!

The first week of August, Ella had JFK dance camp!  She had a friend join her this year so that made it more fun I think!  She had a great time dancing jazz, kick and hip hop (her favorite)!

I made refrigerator pickles for the first time ever!

And they were actually pretty delicious!

We made a trip to the Dakota County Fair on a week night to watch some lawnmower races...but due to the wet weather, they were extremely delayed in setting up the track, so we didn't end up watching any races!  It was a so-so fair....kind of felt like "been there done that"

 MOOOOOOOO!

Frappe on a weeknight - say what?!  (Coffee-less, of course!)

 Mid-August we headed out for our 2nd vacation of the summer to Detroit Lakes, MN

We had never been...

 

 HAHAHAHAH! Another Abbas family selfie for the win!

 Someone noticed us failing at the family selfie and offered to take our picture! :)

Doesn't seeing the lake just make you want to stop what you're doing and head there right now!?

Ella and Jay did some fishing (Ella's first time!)

And we spent time floating in the lake...

While others were catching little fish...

We did some paddle boating too, but I was too busy paddling that I didn't get any photos!

The sunsets from our hotel were pretty fantastic!

 So great!

Catching Up Post - July!

After we returned from our trip to the North Shore, I wanted to remember these few things.

One - I saw this sign online and I really loved the message

Two - Ella and I went for walks and every few times she would bring her American Girl doll along, which I just think it so cute!

Even pushing her in the swing! (Don't worry she still guilts us with wondering when she's going to get a REAL baby sister)….

Three - we wrapped up the month of July celebrating Jay's birthday.  He chose this birthday cake.  So funny!  I offered to make something but he wanted to get a cake.  He chose this one.  Okay then!  Clowns and balloons it is!

Catching Up Post - July (4th, North Shore Trip)!

I would like to point out that I am on a roll with the blog updates.  Granted, they are sparse on detail and heavy on just picture uploads, but I've checked off five months!  We're looking to July now people.  You bet!

Fourth of July!  Ella headed to Worthington (without Jay and I) to spend a few days with Grandma (and cousin Chase) before the 4th. She had SO MUCH FUN!  She's still talking about it and expects to do this every summer for a long time (or so Ella says).  Ha ha!  I hope my mom is ready for it! They did all kinds of fun stuff!  Meanwhile, at home, we worked those days and then on the 3rd of July we watched the fireworks in Shakopee, which was fun but took forever to start!  We're old people.  We want things to start on time and end at a decent hour.  LOL!

 A selfie while we wait for dusk and the fireworks to start!

4th of July morning breakfast courtesy of the new location in St. Peter - YES PLEASE!

My dad and his wife had a 4th of July lunch gathering so we showed up after lunch (typical) and just hung out for a while with everyone who was still there.  I think it was really hot out!

Later, we did some pop-its in the driveway...

And I have no idea what happened here...but it makes me laugh so I'm sharing.

 Family 4th of July selfie! Not too bad!!

A few random July pictures...

Pre-braces picture

First braces picture!

Day 2 - a better picture

National Ice Cream Sundae day!

LAKE SUPERIOR!!  

We headed up to the North Shore for a short vacation and it was glorious! 

Night one we stayed in Duluth

Walked the lake walk....

 Probably the best family selfie to date.  HAHA!!!!  It was so windy....

 Even the guy who offered to take our picture couldn't get a good shot!

Just headed out to grab some coffees...need to bring the kitty purse (obvi)

Day 2 we headed up the North Shore, stopping at Betty's Pies for takeout.  PIE only!!

Then, we spent some time at Gooseberry Falls, which was so fun.  This was Ella's first time since she was a baby, and also the first time Jay and I have been there since Ella was a baby.  It was fun for all of us!

We ended the day in Tofte but ate dinner on Lutsen Mountain!

Day 3 - we headed to Grand Marais bright and early!

First stop - World's Best Donuts!

Then we enjoyed some time on the beach.  It's so relaxing!!

 Trying to skip rocks...

Later in the day, we headed to do a family friendly hike at Sugarloaf Cove - it was perfect and Ella was awesome! She loved it as much as we do!

SO FUN!

On our last morning, we walked through the Tofte Park and Ella wanted to take all kinds of pictures...

Making wishes in the wishing well!

We love the North Shore and can't wait to go back!