Duluth

This weekend we had the wonderful opportunity to make a road trip up to Duluth to visit my sister Katelyn at college.  It was a picture perfect weather weekend, filled with unique experiences, yummy food, time with family, and lots of fun.  What could be any better?

While Katelyn was at class, Pat, the kids and I made a trip to the Railroad Museum.  We climbed all over the trains on display, and also enjoyed several other events they had planned for Halloween.  Face painting, a juggler, magician, and craft were all added bonuses.  We also stopped by the Children's Museum while we were there.  We could have spent another two hours there easily!



In the Children's Museum there was a projection of butterflies on the wall.  When you stood with your shadow against the wall the butterflies would land on your shadow.  Pretty cool!

Olivia's face painting request:  A pink kitty.

Our wonderful friends, Nate and Veronica, live in Duluth.  When we were planning the trip I contacted them in hopes that we could meet up.  They mentioned that they were actually leaving town for that weekend, but that we could stay at their house while they were gone!  Score!  Not only a free stay, but way more comfortable than a hotel, and a full kitchen so we could cook food and save even more money!  We are so thankful for their generosity, and the kids were thankful for "new" fun toys to play with!

Our visit to the north shore was by far my favorite part of the trip.  I could spend hours there, just listening to the water, digging for cool rocks, exploring...  We made a few stops from driving to go down to the waterfront.  Pat impressed us all with his rock-skipping skills.  He got one to go 7 jumps!

Olivia not quite as successful with her rock-jumping!

This girl sure loved "painting" with rocks she dipped in water.

And look who we found washed up on shore!

Never wanting to miss an opportunity to knock knuckles and embarrass Katelyn!

Of course a trip to Gooseberry Falls was in order.

Hiking with a kid strapped to you burns extra calories... Which was needed for the Betty's pies we had later.

 All in all, an amazing trip!  As with every trip we take, or weekend we have, I wish it was just one more day longer!