Fourth of July Festivities with Mom & Dad

This past week, my mom and dad had the opportunity to visit over my vacation week.  We had such a great time together... it is certainly a week to remember.  Here's how the week played out:

Thursday: Mom and Dad arrived shortly after Pat and I got home from work.  We had a dinner, wine, and catch up time.  

Friday: Upon finishing up with work, Mom, Dad, Pat, & I headed to the cabin.  We were greeted by the Schneeman clan and Fourth of July firework festivities.  From there we headed to our lodgings, the Super 8 (which was really super)!  

Saturday:  The day began with Yoga on the Dougherty deck taught by Eric, major props to Mom & Dad for participating in the group fitness!  After some luncheon prep, Pat and I participated in the fourth annual Splash and Dash as well as the Schneeman Family Photo.  Pat and I hustled to the lake to open 'Soggy Bottoms... Swim Up Bar' offering cocktail hour bevies to the crew. The evening was topped off with the Pig Roast, dance party, and other cabin shenanigans before our return to the Super 8.  

  

Sunday:  Beaching with the Boucher's and a relaxing day as well as evening.  After an amazing dinner hosted by Lu and Anthony, campfire songs (oui, oui, oui, no, no, no), and putting the parents to bed in the Dougherty Guest Cabin, Pat and I paddleboated around Lower Bottle with Schneeman Ladies, Shanny and Ali.... & we did see little Northern Lights!!

Monday: Mom, Dad, Pat, and I toured a portion of Lake Itasca on bikes and dipped in the headwaters of the Mississippi.  Mom and Dad treated us to a great lunch at Camp Douglass, returning to the lake for some beach time where Mom tried her hand a kayaking.  The evening come to a close with cocktails, cooking out, games, and a campfire.

Tuesday: We started the day with a campfire breakfast and headed back to the cities for a quiet evening.  We walked to CatManDo for Mom and Dad's first Nepali/Indian food experience (a success?!?!) and a Summit Ave stroll.  

Wednesday: After researching the differences between flank steak and London broil, we headed to Windmer's and the Minneapolis Farmer's Market.  We toured the area a bit and made a pit stop a Menards to which Mom purchased a ceiling fan for our dining room (way awesome, way too generous) and Dad purchased some clippers (the easiest clippers ever- also very generous).  From there, we returned home to our yard and garden, clipping, weeding, and learning the most everything in our yard was a weed!  When Pat returned from work we grilled out flank steak/London broil and feasted.  Pat and Dad got right to work installing the ceiling fan while Mom and I headed out for a PM walk.  

Thursday: We convinced Mom and Dad to stay an extra day!!  Mom, Dad, and I had a total tour de Saint Paul, visiting the Cathedral, Mounds Park, and a variety of other Saint Paul locations.  Mom and Dad then took me out for Neapolitan pizza, which was more than appreciated (as it was amazing).  We returned home to have a quite evening, listening to Mom selected records and cribbage (we won't say who won).

Many, many thanks to Mom and Dad for making the trip and being wonderful company.  Thanks to the Schneeman's as well for the cabin hospitality and general shenanigans... so fun!!