minnesota par-tay

even though the weekend started with a surprise flat tire on the side of the interstate less than 60 miles from home, we had a totally awesome time in minneapolis this weekend. i think the flat tire part (especially the part where the car containing myself and the kids slipped off the jack and i was certain david was a goner.....) was the absolute low point of the weekend.

everything else was awesome.

first off, james had his first birthday party of the year, complete with cake and crown and screams of excitement,


and a new marching band themed gift. this drum is probably the best thing that has happened to our marching band-obsessed child since, like, the discovery of candy. look at him, gazing, lost in pleasure and wonder, as he watches a marching band. never mind that it's ohio state's marching band. they use ipads and gps and stuff, so they're marching band cheaters, but he doesn't have to know that. he LOVES them.


the next day was a glorious sunny chilly perfect day for a family hike along the mississippi. while the kids tempted fate at the river's edge, we posed for new facebook profile pictures.



aren't julia and dana just the cutest?


our wooded hike was super fun, and the kids loved it.


james did an incredibly perfect job of solo chilling with his snack after the hike. i aspire to his level of coolness.


later, the adults had a cozy afternoon fire where actual wood was burned,


and the kids had a cozy afternoon fake fire glow gathered around a new space heater, which seemed to adequately satisfy them.