Duluth MN

We were very lucky to go up north and visit Duluth with Grandma and Grandpa. Duluth is a small city 3 hours north of the cities right on the edge of Lake Superior. If you ask anyone from MN they will tell you that Duluth is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the state. We thoroughly agree. The leaves were changing, the weather was fantastic, we had great company. It doesn't get better than that.

Grandma and Grandpa were able to come up after their trip to Nauvoo. They drove all the way up to visit us. And we're very grateful they did. Jensen was so excited to see them again.

So true!

This is right on the lake walk at the end of Duluth.

Jensen had a great time chasing the seagulls. I'm just glad they didn't poop on us.

We also went 45 min north of Duluth to Gooseberry Falls. Absolutely worth it! They are a chain of falls with several trails to walk to every one.

Jensen and G'pa had a great time jumping on the bed. Hey, if it's not yours, why not, right?

We also went to these beautiful gardens in Duluth, Leif Erickson Gardens. It was the most beautiful rose garden right on the edge of the Lake.

On the edge of Lake Superior.

Vettori Family Pics

This one is my favorite!

So we got family pics taken while we were in Utah. A friend of ours, Shannon Garber did them and I think they turned out great. You should check out her website here if you're thinking of getting pics. Her prices are very affordable and she does a great job.

Bear with me, there are a lot of pics, but they are mostly of Jensen so who can complain. And yes, I know the Brazil soccer jerseys were cheesy. But hey, we're Brazilian and dang proud of it!

How cute are they!

I know, we're not 5 years old anymore. But you try telling my mom that.

Jensen and our sweet little Isabella Vettori.

"Go ahead. Eat it. I've tried it. It's not so bad. If you eat it, you'll get lots of attention. Trust me!"

The whole time we were trying to get him to smile without doing his cheesy face for the camera. As you can tell, no such luck.

Seriously, how cute is this kid!

He couldn't help but play in the water.

Utah - "You're Brand of Summer Fun"

Reed, Jensen and I were able to go to Utah for a couple weeks and just had a great time.

Highlights:

- seeing family (grandparents and cousins)

- Cafe Rio (we almost filled up a whole card)

- Cherry Hill with the fam

- Getting Vettori family pics done (finally), check out our pics here

- having babysitters

- playing tennis

- going out with friends (we're sorry if we didn't get a chance to see everyone. It was quite the whirlwind)

- petting zoo with the Mackays

- Going to several parks with the Barbees

- Silver Lake with the Edwards

- Churrasco at mom and dad's

- seeing my cute little niece, Isabella for the first time

- Utah football game - GO UTES!

Thanks everyone for a great time. See you in December!

Jensen and Kira wasted no time getting to know each other.

Reed loves his nieces and nephews. He was in heaven.

We went to a petting zoo with some of our friends, the Mackays. Jensen did not love the pony rides.

But he did have a good time with Oliver (even though it doesn't show in this pic).

On our was to Vovo's house, just diggin into this peach. Thanks Grandma!

Here's the first time we met the newest addition to the Vettori family, Isabella. She is now 6 months and just so stinkin' cute.

Jensen had definite issues eating when we were in Utah, but when it came to pizza no one could stop him. He ate like 3 full pieces.

We went to Cherry Hill with both families and had a great time with grandparents and cousins.

Look at all those cute babies.

Jensen with his uncle Dan

We went up to Silver Lake for a bbq with the Edwards. Kira and Jensen obviously had other ideas. They would not sit still for a minute. Gotta love 2 year olds!

Here comes trouble!

I don't if you can tell from the million of pictures of them together, but Jensen and Kira hung out a lot.

Jensen loves his Vovo!

We were so excited to get to go to Utah's season opener football game against Utah State. They of course won. We had a great time. Thanks Scott for the tickets!

RUN. DRIVE. SLEEP? REPEAT.

So we did it! 195 miles starting in Winona, WI to Minneapolis, MN. A bunch of members of our ward and some random people we were lucky to pick up, ran 195 miles. We did the Ragnar Relay, The Great River Run, and great it was. We started at 7 am and finished at 1 pm. With very little sleep and several injuries between all of us, we made it. It was my first Ragnar run and I had a great experience. It's a definite test of character. Running 3 different times, getting very little sleep, eating and drinking when ever you can, and being squished in a van with 5 other stinky people. Life doesn't get any better than that!

Here's all of us at the end of the race. Way to go, team Kamanuwanaruna!

Reed and Jensen came to cheer me on my 2nd leg in Bay City. It was my hardest leg of 8.3 miles with 1.5 miles all up Maiden Rock, all up hill. It was listed as my hardest leg, but I would have to say the last leg I ran was the hardest for me. It was only 3 miles at 4 am, but it took everything I had to finish. I ran a total of about 20 miles and would do it again in a heartbeat (well ask me again when I can go downstairs without wincing).

Here's after Maiden Rock. I was so happy to be done.

Most of us ran the last leg with Mara, our last runner. She did awesome! We had quite a team.

He doesn't look that excited, but he was definitely my biggest fan, aside from Reed. Thanks for all the support, boys!

Fun in the Sun

Today was a great warm Minnesota day. Most of the summer it's been in the 70's, which I just absolutely love. This beautiful weather definitely makes you forget about the harsh winter. It's been nice to be outside and go to parks and ride the trails without dying of heat and sweat. But this week it started getting a little warmer like high 80's so we decided to bust out the $5 kiddy pool and play.

I'm not so sure what he's doing here. We did just learn head, shoulders, knees and toes so maybe that's what it is.

Don't mind the toes and the plumbers crack.

You know you take a lot of pictures when your kid starts saying "shees" and giving a fake smile the minute you bust out the camera.