Libby is a Teenager!

Happy Birthday, Libby! Turning 13 is worthy of a 'girls night out.' So she took two good friends to see the Minnesota Roller Girls at the River Centre in St. Paul.

What a crazy deal the Roller Derby is! Two hours of women on a short track with skates, trying to knock each other out of the rink - with names like "Glitter Ninja" and "Hanna-Belle Lechter."

Half time was just as awesome, because there was a live polka band, and we all got to dance on the roller rink floor. Libby learned to polka for the first time!

The Summit Brewery!

Spring break continues... we went to our very own hometown craft brewery, Summit Beer! The lone factory for this great lager is in St. Paul, right along the Mississippi. It has been in operation only since 1986, but already has a national reputation with its 11 varieties. The Winter Ale is my favorite!

The tour gave us a view of the giant copper vats from Germany, the bottling and packaging center and the "hot room" where the hops, water, yeast and, er... one more ingredient is added.


Luke really enjoyed the giant stacks of empty bottles, all ready to be filled up and shipped out... 80% of Summit - which gets its name from the historic Summit Avenue area of St. Paul - is consumed in this state, and the rest has a following around the country.

The kids couldn't sample the beer at the end of the tour... but did get some great, ice cold root beer instead!

Spring Break "Stay-cation"

The kids are on spring break this week, and we are making it a "stay-cation" (as in, we are staying around here). The weather is looking good for the week (no rain or snow anyway - maybe even 75 on Wednesday!), and we are taking some day trips for some activities around the local area. Here we are at one of our favorite restaurants - Benihanas!

Rock Climbing!

Activity One on the "Stay-cation" was rock climbing at "Vertical Endeavors" in St. Paul. This is just like what their Dad did in Malta when he was Jack's age... only this is a bit safer, with harnesses and ropes.

Luke is the one who insisted that they do this on Spring Break... he went to a birthday party here a couple of weeks ago, and has been talking about it ever since. He is fearless!

Luke Dreams of Olympic Gold!

Luke took a two-hour ski lesson today at Afton Alps... he learned an amazing amount in a short time, perfecting his parallel turns, "hockey stop" and where to put his weight on his skis. He's still flying down the hills, including the black diamond runs, but now he is doing it in real style! Go for the gold, Luke!

Meanwhile, back in nearby Woodbury, there is evidence that winter might be winding down... we can only hope and pray!!!

"Tin Cans" Basketball Rocks Woodbury!

The "Tin Cans" of the East Ridge Athletic Association finished their awesome basketball season this weekend! They had the winning-est record, so were the number one seed for the tournament. The team won its first game handily, then fell to a couple of tough teams in the last two games. It was an incredible ride - thanks Coach George... you were a-mazing!!!

A New Car...

My prized Jeep Liberty just turned over 100,000 miles last month... and promptly threw a rod and destroyed its engine - no explanation for this heretofore loyal. and well-maintained vehicle. It was a sad day, indeed. Here is the Jeep's replacement, a 2006 Dodge Durango. At least we have a vehicle with a third seat again, and capable of pulling the boat. P.S., the snow mountain behind the vehicle is Minnesota's answer to the climate change myth...