Gall Drone It

Seth received a drone for Christmas and has been waiting to show me how well he flies it in an effort to bring it to his dad's house for the weekend. He was hovering it a few inches from my head and I told him to go land it on his own head. He did what he rarely does... follow directions.



He then let me fly it and I decided to fly it outside in the dark. Not a good decision on my part. I crashed it a handful of times and messed up one of the gears. Seth fixed it and the next day he sent it outside for a test flight. It went straight up and didn't respond to the remote. Then wedged itself at the top of our neighbor's tree approximately 80 feet up in the air. The camera caught a good view at least. The following day Nick was able to get it down using a bow and arrow tied to a long rope.



The next test flight outside was accompanied with a string attached to the drone. Lesson learned.

Paw Patrol Date Night

Noah and I had a little date night tonight. He has been looking forward to tonight’s surprise for a few days now. We recently discovered that Noah loves crab meat. What does that mean? This momma has a seafood buddy!

We started heading to Rochester and I suggested to Noah that he rest his eyes. Don’t fall asleep, just rest your eyes so you can stay up for all of the fun. Fifteen minutes later the car was quiet. Success!!

Our first stop was Red Lobster. I’m pretty sure this could have been the full date and he would have loved it!

I on the other hand learned the hard way that crab legs are only for those who can crack on their own. By the time I started cracking mine it was cold and he was done. Not to mention his crab legs were considerably larger than mine.

Our next stop was to go watch Paw Patrol Live. Noah thought it was just at a movie theatre. As we walked across the skyway a fire truck drive by with the sirens on. Noah’s eyes popped open as he realized they were actually here in person, or in dog.

We found our seats and loaded up on goodies, including a light up sword. 

Other kids were wearing Paw Patrol costumes while Noah spotted “Brave All The Way” shirt with his favorite, Marshall, on it. Every time Marshall came onto the stage he’s light up his shirt in hopes that Marshall would see. 

On the way home he said he only had a little fun.

Why? “I would have had fun if...

...dad was here.”

...I met Marshall.”

...I got to have a snow cone.” (Let’s not forget to mention I spent $20 for a picture of him next to a plastic dog. Or that I spent $25 on a light up sword.)

...you would have let me get a drink at Caribou too.”

...if we didn’t have to drive forever.” (Hey kid, you slept both ways.)

Stinker!

Moose Hunts

Nick and I were looking all over the Gunflint Trail for any sign of moose. No luck but beautiful scenery. 

Mn Wild Ice Time

The Hastings u10 A/B teams earned a free hour of ice at the Xcel Centre. The girls were thrilled! Although a bit sad they couldn't use the Wild's locker room to get dressed. Instead they used the visitors which was still better than any locker room I've been in. There was even carpet to cut out all the high pitched voices and echoing that is experienced by the locker moms.

They took turns posing outside the Wild's locker room. 

Another picture under Herb Brooks quote on the way to the ice. 

Followed by tons of pictures on the ice. Sam played center and was at face-off of the first puck drop for the night.

It was such a large place that the parents had a hard time hearing their voices echo. I hollared "Go Sam Brown" before the puck drop. Later I was given a talkin to about how she hates when I pressure her with saying score a goal or skate hard. I guess my words on encouragement is taken more of pressure. Good to know.

They divided up the A and B team to make two new teams. It was so fun watching them play.

Sam's wearing her grumpy face wearing the white jersey in front left row.

At least she smiled when hugging Zack Parise. 

Earlier in the day, Sam joined me at work where she was given her own private office. 

Do you wanna build a snowman?

Adelynn and Noah stayed with their Great Aunt Julie for a weekend. They love spending time with her. There is always fun things they do together. This weekend they went to a birthday party and built a snowman. 

Excuse me, can you little girl sleep over?

Sam had a hockey tournament in Stillwater this weekend. On Saturday there was a nine hour gap between games so we decided to go visit my Aunt Laura and Uncle Keith in Somerset. My cousin's wife, Quinn, and kids, Leyton and Isla were there, as well as my cousin Katie's daughter Riley. They stated in playing together right away. We went camping with them July 2015 so it had been months since they saw each other last.

Sam needed to get back to the rink so we were packing up to leave when Leyton came up to me ever so quietly and whispered "excuse me, can your little girl sleep over?"

She stayed and came to watch Sam's hockey game. After the game we all went to Culver's to eat. Adelynn ride with them and once inside she saw me walk in.

"Umm, what are you doing here?!" She exclaimed. Worried that I was taking her home. Or, maybe that I was impeding on her fun night away.

The next morning Keith, Laura, Leyton, Riley and Adelynn came to watch Sam's consolation championship game.

More get togethers like this will be happening. They all had a great time. 

Left, Right, or Straight

On out ride home from dinner I told Adelynn that she could guide us home. Which way? Left, Right, or Straight.

She quickly learned that three lefts bring you right back to where you just were. She's doing pretty good mixing up her lefts.

We wiggled our way out of Northfield onto the country roads. 

The headlights on the plow point too close in front of us which makes driving at a decent speed a little unsafe.

She brought us along side the cliff just south of Stanton. Once she saw Syngenta glowing in the dark she had to turn right on Hwy 19, and left on Hwy 56. From here she needed to guide us home by recognizing landmarks. 

Ya, we're almost home! As we drive right by Woody's. "Straight!" She says. As we pass the church she said "Daddy, you passed the house!" Chuckling away. She turned around and told her siblings "I'm getting us lost!"