fourth of july

The fourth of July was hot, hot, hot this year!  The best way to cool off was to just get down to business and get wet!  Adults and kids alike enjoyed the baby pool and sprinkler to cool off.  Miles had a lot of fun meeting some friends of ours and spending time at Kelly and Mark's place.  He also enjoyed a little pool time with Mabel.  We went to two back yard parties and thought we would just keep going.  We put Miles in the bike trailer as soon as we got home and headed out to Powderhorn Park to see the fireworks.  Miles loved seeing all the people an the excitement of running around at night, but as soon as the large fireworks started it was another story.  Mike and I caught a few of the fireworks through the trees on our bike ride home, and Miles solidified his discomfort with loud noises that started in Duluth!

similarities

In case you were wondering just who Miles looks like...

Duluth

During our camping trip we took a day adventure to Duluth.  We spent our time in Canal Park.  There were no big ships coming in but plenty of boats using the canal.  We watch the bridge go up and Miles was shocked by the loud blow horn that sounds when it goes up.  He talked about it for weeks.  Saying "Boat, Loud!"  over and over.  This also lead to an association that all boats are loud.  We are working on that.  Talking about how some boats are quiet like a row boat and some boats just have a quiet motor noise, like the Nagel's pontoon.  But there were many other highlights while we spent the day in Duluth.  Miles enjoyed throwing rock in the water at the beach, chasing seaguls, seeing many boats and even the old train that runs along the lake shore to Two Harbors. 

This is Miles' response to the blow horn as the lift bridge went up.  A little concerned.

Banning State Park

We took a family vacation up North.  We started our trip with a stop in Sandstone, MN at Banning State Park.  We stayed in a state park camper cabin.  This was our second time staying in one and it is fast becoming a favorite way to camp! Miles loved the cabin, especially the deck leading up to the front door.  Miles also learned about misquitos on this trip and tried his best to swat the bugs as they landed or buzzed around him.  Poor guy just basically slapped himself in the head alot and then laughed about it.  We did a good amount of hiking as well, taking in awesome views and historical mining sites along the Kettle River.  Another first for Miles was his first smores.  Yum!

Giggle ABC's

Nothing better than baby giggles!

May Day Parade

One of the best events in our neighborhood is the May Day Parade.  Which is a walking puppet parade in Powderhorn Park.  We brought Miles to it last year when he was 5 months old and it was freezing out.  He had to wear his winter snow suit.  This year it was HOT!  This year Miles also seemed to be a bit more captivated by the colorful and lifelike puppets.

Fishing opener

We headed up to lake country to spend fishing opener with our family.  Mike took off in the motor home with Grandpa Clay to spend the weekend with the Nagel men fishing at Uncle Lee's cabin on Lake Lida.  Miles and I took the opportunity to spend the weekend at the farm hanging out with Grandma Lori and the Nagel cousins.  Abby, Jake, and Cade enjoyed showing Miles all the ways of the farm in the warm spring weather.  We also enjoyed checking out uncle Lee's cabin and having a little breakfast with the guys after their very successful fishing opener.