Minnesota Vacation

We left Friday morning at 5 AM and headed to Minneapolis. Alice slept in the car for the first couple hours, which made the trip go fast. We got into the city by about 8:00 and stopped for breakfast at The Colossal Cafe, a tiny little neighborhood cafe.

Jameson had Apple Walnut Flappers (pancakes made w/ yeast). They were good but were way to much food and too sweet.

I ordered an Omelet which was stuffed w/ cream cheese, which made it rich and VERY tasty! The bread was also obviously homemade and quite tasty, though we were to full from the flappers to enjoy it.

After breakfast we headed to the Como Park Zoo and arrived just as it was opening.

Polar Bear

Fish

Seal

Posing on a Giraffe

Zebras

Monkeys

Gorilla

Flamingo

We had lunch in the zoo (hamburger, hot dog, and fries) and then headed to the Botanical Gardens. I was getting quite tired by then so we walked through fairly quickly. I think we found the Bonsi Trees the most amazing.

After looking at the gardens, we left Como Park and headed to our hotel. This gave Alice a chance to nap in the car for awhile. After checking in at the hotel we went swimming for awhile. Alice hadn't been swimming at a pool since last summer when my mom and I took her a couple times, so Jameson and I enjoyed getting to swim with her. We had the pool to ourselves and the water wasn't to cold, so Alice seemed to enjoy it, though she definitely wanted to hang on close to mom or dad.

We ate supper at 'The Tin Fish' an outdoor restaurant on a lake. We forgot to take pictures of our food, but Jameson order the Fried Catfish dinner which came with waffle fries and coleslaw and I ordered the mini-tin sandwich (three pieces of cod on a bun). It was all very tasty, though the catfish was the best!

Outdoor seating at 'The Tin Fish'

After eating supper, we walked down the path that goes around the lake to a park. Alice had a wonderful time playing!

Alice had fun with the cart.

Saturday we had a late lunch at 'The Nook', another small restaurant which is known for tasty burgers, homemade fries, and homemade buns made by a bakery just down the street.

Alice enjoyed her 'big girl' cup and straw!

Jameson ordered the 'Juicy Nookie', a cheese stuffed hamburger.

I ordered the 'Lodge Burger', a burger w/ BLT, smoked cheddar cheese, and chipotle mayo. It was SUPER tasty!!!

After lunch we headed out of town. We stopped at an Amish Furniture store just south of the cities and then continued the rest of the way home, arriving home about 8. Even though it was just 2 days, it was a wonderful vacation and great last getaway before we become a family of 4 in just 4 more weeks!

Roose Camping Trip '11 (4th Annual)

We camped at Palisades Park in Cedar Rapids. We arrived Thursday evening and Jordan, Joy, and family arrived soon after us. Jenessa joined us Friday night - Saturday night and Dad and Mom Roose came for the day on Saturday. Austin was down in Alabama helping with tornado relief so he wasn't able to join us this year.

Here is our camp.



Timothy helping Alice on her tricycle

Alice & Lydia sitting by the fire.


There were a lot of nice hiking trails in the park. Friday morning we headed out on our first hike. Jameson carried Alice in our hiking backpack.

Overlooking the river.

Hiking bridge

Alice sleeping on hike.

She'd gotten to bed lake the night before and was up early, so it was good that she was able to get a little sleep. Later that afternoon we discovered it was far to hot for her to nap in the tent, so this nap proved even more necessary.

Friday afternoon we drove down to Lake McBride and spent time at the Beach.

After we got back from the beach, we began making supper. The girls kept busy playing in water, getting themselves and each other wet as they waited.

Jameson making Mountain Man Breakfast. It was a beautiful morning to relax around the fire.

Alice playing with dollies in her stroller.

Saturday morning hike with everyone.

Watermelon... a great snack to cool off with after a hike!

Saturday afternoon we headed to the spillway between Lake McBride and Coralville Lake. This allowed the girls to get a brief nap in the cars and it was refreshing to walk around in the spillway.

Family picture!

Stopping for ice cream has become another camping trip tradition. This time we stopped at DQ and split a tasty snickers / reeses peanut butter cup blizzard.



Hiking down to the river for our Sunday morning family 'worship service'.

Alice got tired on the way back and fell asleep on Jameson's back!

We packed up and left after lunch Sunday afternoon. Alice slept the whole way home and we all slept for a couple hours after getting home to make up for short nights / earlier mornings.

That's all... It was another great camping trip!

May '11

Happy May Day! Our tree was in full bloom and Alice is just a few weeks older than 18 months.

Tulip TIme Baby Parade

Alice enjoyed eating grapes more than watching the parade!

Alice was on a mission to walk around the bricks around the tulips and thus had no interested in possing for a picture.

Jordan and Joys

Camping

Climbing

Garden

Alice & Watering Can