More Summer Fun

It's been a crazy last few weeks packed with fun events for the Caseys. First, Paul's cousins came to town from North Dakota. We had a get together at Mark and Karena's.

Here's Paul's aunt and cousin with her husband and youngest daughter.
These are the Caseys who could make it to the gathering.

Just the Minnesota connection.
We've had some weird weather this summer. This was taken off our deck one night.
This one was out the front. Those rays were really something!

I met Jenna, Charlie and Jane at the Minnesota Zoo one day. It's surprising what a two month old will be interested in. He really liked the fish and bright colors.

We went in the butterfly garden, and my batteries died. Of course, the charged up ones were in the car. I took some pictures on my camera phone, but they are impossible to get out of there!

New mama - NOT Jenna!

These are the weirdest seahorses I have ever seen!


Last weekend we took a quick roadtrip to Illinois for a surprise 40th birthday for my nephew Tom (who turns 40 next February). On the way we got in a few holes of golf, of course. We were at Mt. Frontenac down by Lake Pepin on the Mississippi River. I skied there way back in college with the Augsburg Ski Club. It is now a golf course, but they kept a chair lift for old times sake.
It just doesn't feel the same in the summer.


We stopped at Lock and Dam #9 to watch a tug boat push a load of 15 barges through the locks. It was really fascinating - and took about two hours! We were in no hurry on Friday, since Ted and Pat didn't want us to get to the motel TOO early and maybe run into Tom before the party on Saturday.

They had to split the barges because only 9 will fit in at a time. I was amazed that the driver could steer them in without crashing into the walls.
On Saturday morning, we visited this authentic Dutch windmill in Fulton where Tom and Kim live. It really grinds wheat, and you get a tour and can buy five different kinds of ground products there.

Then we headed over to watch Amariah while Kim went to pick up some things for the party. Tom was off shopping with Ted, Pat and Griffin. Amariah was napping when we got there, but she sure made friends quickly when she woke up and mom was gone!

Here's the birthday boy with plenty of candles on his cake. He was truly surprised!

Brothers Teddy and Tom, and...


...their boys. (Matthew belongs to Teddy, and Griffin belongs to Tom.)


Matthew had a blast at the party. Look, mom, I can fly!

Superman!

Can I do it again?

We played 9 holes of golf in Rochester on our way home Sunday night - our last chance to relax before ... VBS!!! I was directing, so we spent most of the next 4 days at church or preparing for things. We had a rainforest theme, and it was as steamy as the rainforest all four days!

The kids had a blast - especially on Wednesday night when we set up the waterslides on the jungle gym.
Now, one more week to relax - finally - and then back to school. Where did the summer go?