back from vacation, safe and sound

Well, we have been back from our 3 week vacation for a week and are finally caught up on the laundry, though the house is still a mess. Our Honda van needed a new transmission right before we left (a recall issue, fortunately for our bank account), and our whole vacation was in jeopardy. But we ended up flying out, the four kids and me, thanks to Uncle Steve. Jon drove out two weeks later and we drove home together.

The kids had a terrific time, swimming in the channel of the Mississippi that goes past Steve and Rhonda's new house, playing video games and computer games in their tech-heavy house. We went to Como Zoo, the Science Museum of MN twice, Fort Snelling, and more. We had the boys' joint birthday party at Steve's, and Luanne and her kids and Theresa and her kids came down for that. Their patio is probably still colored from the silly string!

Since getting home we've gone to our community pool almost every day and to the shore last weekend. The ocean water is a lot warmer than a month ago, when we were there last. Rosie has learned to swim, though she still can't take a breath without standing up. We are impressed. Bug is fearless in the water. He lets the waves knock him down and just rolls over, with his face going under. (The water is only up to his waist and I am right there, so it isn't dangerous, but most 3 year olds would be alarmed. He laughs.) It is a much better summer than last year, in our own place and with AIR CONDITIONING!

Here is one of the professional pictures from Rosie's dance recital. I'll get some of our vacation up soon. My camera went missing during vacation...