weekend away

Since Corey has a couple weeks of job hiatus before his new job, he planned an extended weekend in Minnesota with our friends, the Sandens. 'Grandma and Grandpa' Sanden have a beautiful log cabin on Otter Tail Lake, about an hour drive from Fargo, ND. Corey's sister Maria (who goes to school in Fargo) joined us for the weekend.

I didn't take near enough photos at the cabin ... I guess we were a little distracted with sun and fun (and maybe it had something to do with having five kiddos running around).


Sanden Beach






Sea shells ... er ... lake shells?



On Monday we headed to Alexandria, MN to visit Josh and Renee and see their new house/farm.


We spent the day in downtown Alexandria and made a fun stop at the City Park.



Josh and Renee have a beautiful piece of Minnesota lake country - complete with barns, apple trees, ponds and gardens.



Kya loved their super cool play room


Lucy and Ryan, picking (and eating) apples






Kya enjoying an ice cream treat with the Sanden kids ... in age order from 18 months to second grade:
Lucy, Kya, Ryan, John, Ella






What is it about kids and ice cream?! Love it.





On Tuesday we headed home with a long stopover in Fargo, ND


I was very excited to visit Unglued, a new store in downtown Fargo ... that just so happens to carry Bison Booties.  If you think this Bison Booties display is cool, you've to to see the rest of the store. Wowie, this is possibly the coolest store I've ever been in. All handmade - what could be better?! Plus, they have cupcakes and a super cool kid's corner. Love it.
If you're in Fargo, this store is a must: Unglued, 408 Broadway North, Downtown Fargo, North Dakota


Kya loved this large painted bison in downtown Fargo


We had a few hours to spare - before Maria got out of class - so we went to the Children's Museum in Fargo. Neither Corey or I had ever heard of this place ... I found it with a google search. I can't even begin to say how great this place is. I wish we had one in Bismarck. For only $5 (each) we roamed and explored the 50+ exhibits. Kya loved it!













We met up with Maria (after class) and took her out to an early dinner at Drunken Noodle. I'm now officially VERY excited for this restaurant to arrive in Bismarck. Yum. Kya liked it too!

the 'greats'

Kya adores her great grandparents. She is blessed to have five in her life:
On my side - Katy Zundel (in Montana), Irene and Darwin Vander Vorst (in Mandan, ND)
On Corey's side - Angie Hager (in Linton, ND) and Andy Schumacher (in Linton, ND)

Last week we made a day trip to Linton to visit the 'greats' ... and what a great day it was.

laughing it up with grandpa andy:

cuddling with grandma angie:

Kya eats corn

Sunday evening at the river cabin.






I love how she kicked back for full enjoyment of the year's BEST North Dakota sweet corn.

Kapla Baby

My very good (and very pregnant) friend Tiffany called me last week in a bit of a panic, looking for someone to take a few maternity photos of her and her husband Mike ... before the baby arrives ... any day now. If course, I was delighted to be included in anything baby related, especially with these two special friends. So last night - while Corey was in Fargo helping Maria move to college - Kya and I, and Mike and Tiffany, ventured out into the back yard (fields) for photos.

Kya was a trooper and the best assistant I could ask for. I just sat her down in the hay field and she was content for an hour or so. Can't ask for more!

Tiffany and Mike are going to be wonderful parents to their little guy, I'm so excited I was able to document this special time for them. Thanks for inviting me to photograph you two three!