"Can't You Just Stay Until the End of the Week?"

We just got back from a fabulous weekend with our dear friends, the Eide Four, in Minnesota. While there were some decidedly hot temperatures, there were no 109 degree days and plenty of breezy, cool nights. Nicholas enjoyed running with the kids in the backyard after dinner.

Friday afternoon, we headed to the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul. Nicholas graciously sat in the backseat with the cool kids.

The museum was fun for both kids and adults!

There was a camera obscura outside that was exciting to explore with the kiddos.

The "picture" inside the room.

We did lots of hanging out. There was some couch painting...

Big kid bike riding...

Scooter/chalk drawing...

Saturday morning, when the weather was cool, we explored the Como Zoo (for free!). The best part for me was the butterfly exhibit. More pictures in a coming post.

Sunday morning we enjoy a bagillion pancakes courtesy of Chef Eide before enjoying a sermon courtesy of Pastor Eide. After a little midday rest, we headed to Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater.

There was a lot of exploration by children of all ages.

And lots of observing...

On the way home, the closest thing to a blanket was Daddy's shorts!

Sunday night, the big kids headed out for dinner in Minneapolis for some rooftop dining.

Our first dinner location had great appetizers.

Our second dinner location had great desserts and opened many pallets to the wonders of pistachio sweets!

It was great to connect with our friends and wake up to mini-Nick and mini-Liz acting like an old married couple. "Do not get in my bed...Just say hi then...[pause] HI {mini-Liz}." "Mommy can we go with you to the airport?" "Daddy would you like to color with me? Sure. Your coloring book is over there [read far away from where mini-Liz is coloring]."

Mini-Nick and Mini-Liz had just turned two when we first started spending time with the Eide's and now they are big kids! Next time we see them they will probably be in kindergarten! Maybe if I bribe them with more gifts from Dana and Nit they will stop growing so fast!