Our Summer Vacation

Last week Ryley, Brytta, Karly, and I took the train from Williston to St. Cloud, MN, to visit Paula (Whitney) Sala and family. Jenny (Wolff) Kroetch was also at Paula's house for one day while we were there. We had a blast watching our kids get acquainted and catching up!

Our first stop at the Mall of America was lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. The thunderstorms freaked Brytta out and she asked to go home. Below: Elliot Sala, Brytta, James Kroetch, Whitney Sala, and Ryley.
Ryley was thrilled to meet the Transformer and Star Wars models at Lego Land.

Brytta cuddles a sea turtle at the Underwater Aquarium in the mall.

Ryley, Brytta, and Elliot loved the rides at Nickelodeon Universe in the mall. This was Elliot's first ride ever!

The last day of our trip took us into St. Paul to the Minnesota Children's Museum. We stopped for a late lunch before heading back to Paula's house.

Fourth of July Weekend

We celebrated the holiday weekend at Fort Peck Lake with my parents and sisters. It was the first time Bob and I had been back there since 2005, so it was long overdue. So many of my childhood memories are made up of weekend trips to the lake. It was fun to watch Ryley and Brytta begin building some of those memories during this trip. And, in true Fort Peck fashion, it stormed both nights we were there.
Brytta and Ryley had a blast tubing. Brytta liked it as long as things were nice and easy but any rough water, and she was done. After one rough patch, she told her dad that it was time for her to take a nap!Ryley could have tubed all day long. He loved the "big kahunas!"

Karly caught a 29-inch walleye on an evening fishing trip. Ryley asked if she wanted to trade poles.

The kids loved what Ryley referred to as "boat fishin'".