Minnesota Arboretum

Now that we only have a few days left I've been trying to see more of Minnesota. I've really loved living here! We've met so many new friends, the weather has been pretty perfect for being outside almost constantly with Bracken, and it is so green and beautiful. Yesterday Bracken and I went to the Arboretum with Ligia and her little kids. It has over 1000 acres of trees, lakes, trails, and specialty gardens. We spent all afternoon there and just saw a small corner of it. We saw the Japanese gardens, herb gardens, a sensory garden, and a good old regular garden with vegetables growing. I wish I'd discovered this place earlier in the summer. I would have gone several times.

Chrysalis is only 3 weeks older than Bracken. Aren't they adorable?

Bracken loved touching the flowers (and eating them and ripping them to shreds if I wasn't careful, he's such a boy).

I love our little guy!

Giving Mama kisses...

I love his slobbery, open mouthed "attack" kisses.

The rose garden.
I thought of my Mom a lot while I was here. She's always loved flowers and gardens and tried to help her kids appreciate Heavenly Father's creations. I remember one trip in particular where she talked Dad into taking the scenic route on a family trip. I don't think any of us noticed the scenery but her. My Dad started getting nervous because we were pulling my Grandpa's 5th wheel and we were on narrow, curvy roads. Us kids were too busy complaining about the extra two hours in the car. But Mom thought the trees and mountains were beautiful. Just so you know Mom, I love the landscape and nature too now. These garden's were amazing.

Ligia and Chrysalis -- I've loved becoming better friends with the Huntington's this summer.

Orion couldn't have cared less about the flowers. But I bet he spotted every ant in the park!

Bracken getting his feet wet.

Some of the flowers.

A waterfall in the Japanese Gardens. Being in nature, hearing water running, the breeze rustling the leaves, and the bugs humming (as long as they aren't mosquitos) always makes me feel very reflective and grateful. A good opportunity to ask myself "okay, how am I doing with life and how can I improve?" The Japanese gardens had lots of these good reflecting spots.

Don't you know how tiring it gets riding in a stroller?

So the arboretum was beautiful. Thank you Ligia for taking pictures of Bracken and I, it's fun to have pictures of us together.

Pro Kart Racing, Giggles, and Tiny Frogs

There are tons of tiny little frogs around here. Sunday evening we went on a walk and they were hopping all over the place. I got the camera out and Brian and I caught some frogs to show Bracken but he was completely oblivious. He just looked at me and smiled for the camera and never noticed the frogs. Bracken loves his bumbo chair. I think he just likes being upright so he can see what's going on. Right before I took this picture I sat him in his chair and gave him a toy, but he just dropped it and kept looking intently at all his other toys. So I handed him each of his toys one by one until he had all of his toys scattered around him. Then he was content and just played for a while, going from one toy to the next.

Brian's office won an incentive so we got to Pro Kart Racing last week. We had a blast! The carts went about 40 mph. It brought out the competitive side of me. I love the speed and the adrenalin rush that comes with racing. (It's a good thing our little car doesn't go very fast!) Anyway, we both had a great time and did pretty well in the races. I somehow got covered in some pretty good bruises while Brian came out unscathed. I didn't even get bumped that much, but my back, knees, and sides were black and blue. Oh well, it was worth it. Brian tells me they have indoor go-cart racing close to his family's home in Phoenix, so we'll have to go again sometime. (Don't you love our helmet hair in the above picture?)