Vacation Instagrams

Images from my iPhone and edited via Instagram or BeautifulMess Camera App

Black and White Photos from the Park

Everything about summer seems pretty exquisite after 7 months of winter and weeks of non-stop rain, but a good park is top notch if you ask me.  Kids Coulee had a lot to offer between swings, teeter totters, slides, sand park, and numerous tunnels and towers of varying heights.  Since we went slightly before dusk, I was able to get some really great shots because we did not have to share the park with anyone. That was not the case when we returned later in the week, on a sunny afternoon.  If you are ever in the area I highly recommend taking an hour or two out of your time to let your kids run around here.

Photos of Kids Coulee

Cuckoo for Choo Choos!

While visiting Grandpa Dan and Grandma Chris we had the privilege of boarding a retired locomotive.  It was definitely a hit as far as W was concerned, and it was pretty interesting to hear how about the process of keeping a train running back in the day.

As if strolling through the train cars was not exciting enough, we also spent some time watching the water on the dock not to far from the train exhibit. 

W was lucky enough to witness the reeling in of a little fish.  The older gentleman who caught the fish must have noticed Little Man's excitement because he offered W the opportunity to hold said fish. 

Unfortunately, no one was able to see the expression on W's face, but the fact that he jumped about twenty feet in the air leads me to believe it would have been a pretty priceless moment to capture on film.  He did inform us that the fish was cold and wet in his recounting of events later that evening. 

Then There was a Swing Set

Grandpa Dan and Grandma Chris had more then a watering can up their sleeve this weekend.  If it had not been for all the rain, the new swing set would have been up and running by the time we arrived from Minneapolis.  Despite arriving during the construction phase, W has still managed to get a good deal of use out of the slide and could stay in the swing all afternoon as long as someone was pushing him.  We have made some nice strides in pumping our legs however. 

For those of you that may not know, the more land you have the less likely it is to be level.  It was quite the debacle to find the perfect spot for the swing set to go, but after digging out a few holes...  Viola!  It is level.  Victory is ours!

Thank you for all the hard work!  Hope you loosen up soon Grandpa Dan!

Ready... Set... GARDEN!

For those that may not be aware, W is quite the Mickey Mouse fanatic.  He also has a vast interest in water.  Bath tubs, water falls, lakes, babbling brooks, watering cans, water tables, pools, or pretty much any body of water that does not result in having shampoo/conditioner rinsed out of his hair is right up his tot sized alley.  So yesterday when Grandma Chris and Grandpa Dan surprised W with some Mickey Garden tools he just about burst with excitement. 

 

And because what good are garden tools without a garden to over water nurture, Grandpa filled up W's watering can at least 10 times and attempted to supervise as the water enthusiast reeked havoc cared for all the plants.

Thanks so much Grandma and Grandpa for all the new gear.  I know that little one had a blast putting his new tools to work.

My not-so-little little man!