July 6th--Minneapolis, MN

We ate breakfast at Denny's. Mena took half the meal to pick out what she wanted on the menu :)

Then we went to the underground aquarium at Mall of America. We saw lots of sharks, sting rays, turtles, sea horses, and other sea animals in the aquariums. It's similar to the aquarium tunnel at Henry Doorly only lots bigger.

Mena looking at the animals as we walked through.

We toured St. Paul's Cathedral. Mena was hungry so we sat on a bench to feed her before we left.

After we got done feeding her, I looked behind us and realized it was a picnic with Jesus!

Then we drove to Kokomo Island Cafe for Gene's and my supper.

July 5th--Trip to Minneapolis, MN

Yea, we're on our way! Here is Mena and Daddy in the parking lot at Panera Bread in Ames, IA.

We ate supper at Rainforest Cafe in the Mall of America.

Mena looking around at all the rainforest trees and animals.

Mena wasn't sure what to think when the "thunderstorm" struck in the restaurant!

July 4th at Rick and Lynn's

Mena with Aunt Beth and Peyton. Check out the belly--the newest baby will be joining the family in August!

Mena talking to us while sitting on Grandma's lap.

Something Like Crawling

Mena has learned how to scoot herself forward. It's more of an army crawl, but she's figuring it out!

July 3rd at Holly & Nick's

Holly took a good picture of our family.

Mena has learned how to wave at people. Here Holly snapped the picture when Mena waved at her.

Camping at Louisville June 19-21

Mena has been going through separation anxiety. Here I gave her to my mom so I could go do something and she started throwing a fit. It was so funny that I had to take a picture before going to do whatever I was doing.

Mena was much happier when she could play by herself in the middle of the rug. She would smile at others as long as they kept their distance.

By evening she'd warmed up to everyone. Here my dad got a smile out of her.

The next morning Peyton and Mena were sitting on Grandma and Grandpa's bed in their camper.
Mena cuddling with Mommy. That's a rarity since she learned how to move around.

She really wasn't interested in napping. She kept looking around like she was going to miss something, but finally she crashed.

Mena with Uncle Jon.

Peyton liked taking care of Mena. He's got quite the sense of humor, too. He insisted that the umbrella should be out in front of her instead of being above her. Then he decided that she looked funny with the pom pom on her head.

It was a fun weekend. The tent was pretty cozy with us, Mena, and Emmy Lou.

Ducky Bath

We got this ducky bath from Mena's cousin Peyton. She throughly enjoys the "just her size" bath!