Duluth DAY TWO: Aquarium, Canal Park, The Edge

We read a lot of reviews about the Duluth Aquarium. A lot of reviews read, "too expensive," "too small," "not enough to do." Well, we are here to set the story straight...it's non of the above. We loved our experience at the aquarium and totally worth the $26.00 admission for Doug and I (Harrison was still FREE).

Harrison was terrified by touching the stingray and fish, but enjoyed the sights from a far. He also got to watch a live fish feeding with scuba diver in the tank. My only regret is not taking more photos during our time there, but more importantly we spent time together as a family.

On our way up...



Meet the Lion Fish

This turtle was a bit like "Vanity Smurf" checking out his own reflection in the water...

But apparently he turned camera shy...

A few other water friends we saw...



Making 12 ft WAVES...Harrison's favorite exhibit!



After saying goodbye to the Aquarium we headed back to canal park to watch a boat come in and the lift bridge raise. We got a little extra bonus...two boats.

Feeding/Chasing the Seagulls...

Harrison was a little sluggish and ready for a nap until he saw the second boat coming in...

 Right before the rain poured down, it was another opportunity to puddle jump... He was begging to take off his shoes and dive in. I told you, this kid=water obsessed.

Just minutes after these were taken, we ran to car to escape the rain and Harrison fell asleep before we even backed out of our parking space. He slept for more than 3.5 hours. This is why day one and day two Duluth photos are already edited. :)

After a 5:45 PM wake up---We ended the night at "The Edge" indoor water park. The admission to the park? Let's not talk about that...and yes Harrison was an additional cost to the pass on top of not offering any nightly costs/fees like Wisconsin Dells resorts do. Was the price worth it? You can't put on a price on family memories, so what we gained from our time there as a memory and a family, totally worth the cost...but rating this as a overall resort...not worth the money; we would have chosen Wisconsin Dells any day over "The Edge." However, we all admit, the pizza? Delicious!

Harrison had a blast on slides and watching the big bucket dump and riding on lazy river.

"The Edge" experience is picture less, minus the one shot I shared on istagram. The camera was tucked away safely at the hotel. Water and cameras aren't like peanut butter and jelly.

It was another late night!

Still to come, more real life moments from day 3 and day 4...

to be continued...



Duluth DAY ONE: The Drive, Canal Park

The weather was a scorching 100 degrees as we pulled out of Winona to head up north 5 hrs to Duluth. We chose to do a mini vacation right in the middle of the second trimester of pregnancy since this is when most women feel at their prime of pregnancy. Your not too big or too exhausted or nauseous to be yourself and most of all you can chase after a 2 year old.


This was (is) perhaps Harrison's last vacation as "only child." We haven't decided what August has in store with pregnancy and financial changes I have with work, so we gave Harrison the all over the past four days. I sure hope this extra spoiling doesn't kick us in the butt now that we are settled back at home. Mentioning this being Harrison's last "solo" vacation, get ready for a series of vacation posts.

Get ready, get set, DAY ONE.

Thank goodness for the long holiday week. The local pool opened up at 10 am all week, so we jumped at the early opportunity to hop in the pool and wear out Harrison for the long drive. We left town by 1:00 PM, Harrison was asleep by 1:03... Apparently our strategy worked.

At just after 3:30 we stopped at the Veterans cemetery to visit Great-Grandpa Herold. Harrison loved the bell music that struck at 4PM.

At just about 6:00 we made it to our hotel, checked in and headed to dinner at what Harrison termed, "Apples" (Apple Bees). He was all smiles, Doug and I were thoroughly impressed with his car riding ability (which hasn't been anything to boast about since birth). But this happiness and smiles was short lived as it was followed by the worst dining experience EVER. If he wasn't trying to jump on the seat, he was climbing in the window sill, making loud obnoxious noises or just not eating more than two of his fries. Just when you think you passed a phase----WHAM it hits you like a brick. Doug ended up carrying Harrison out of "Apples" kicking and screaming as I finished paying the bill. I walked out hanging my head low as to not make eye contact with anyone near our table. If there would have been a microphone available I would have took a moment to apologize to everyone within 100 ft of our table. At this point, I was ready to pack the car back up and head back home, but instead we took the chance and headed down to Canal Park.

The weather was a sunny 85 degrees...perfect for skipping rocks, playing in the water fountains, watching the lift bridge, taking a walk on the board walk and sharing mini donuts. This all didn't go off without a hitch...Harrison was bound and determined to ride the 4 seater bikes and riding in the horse carriages (which we ended up doing later on in the trip). The night ended late with a bedtime past 11 PM.

 An evening view...

Showing off his muscles...

I maybe bias, but this shot may just be the cutest photo I've ever edited. LOVE.

The fountains...

 Yep, same old kid test tasting the water...

Leaving you with this view...The first click of the camera of the start of this trip.

to be continued...

Linked 52: Red, White, & Blue

Oh, how I had high hopes for this week's post. I even bought Harrison a cute tee for the fourth celebration, but for this week's post I am pulling from the achieves of last year. We have had 100 degree temps for the past week with yesterdays heat index of 116. In Minnesota that mixed with humidity you sit the in the air conditioning or don't get out of the pool---no joke!

Though I don't mind reposting a couple photos from last year when they are this adorable. How cute was he?

And...last night I was drawn to this flag in Canal park, Duluth MN.

Check out these other linked posts---fabulous photographers!

Michelle, Tracey, Heather, Andrea, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Amanda, Kristin, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Carla, Heidi, Kristin, Heather, Amy, Liza, Jean, Kristi.

31 Months (a few days late)

Are you still with me? Congratulations if you are! Our 29 week preemie was 31 months old June 28. If you haven't been here for a while...Yes, I still blog monthly about all personality, skills, growth and other real life stuff.

It will be fun to look back at Harrison's posts when his baby brother arrives. I wonder how alike or different they will be from one another. 

Since I know photos excite my viewers the most...I might as well post them first right? RIGHT.

Here ya go!

It's summer in Minnesota, expect a lot more posts of beach trips.

"Digging in the sand like Whitney Dog"

We don't fool around with those tiny toy shovels...we bring in the big guns.

Love these blue eyes and he looks so much like his daddy.

Favorite photo of the evening...LOVE.

31 THINGS ABOUT 31 MONTHS

1. His imagination ROCKS! Some of his favorite animals he pretends to be include a dinosaur, monkey, bear, elephant, shark, puppy and he can also been seen flying around as an airplane.
2. Can talk in complete sentences.
3. He is 35 inches long and weighs 28lbs
4. His chore every day is to feed Whitney Dog in the evening,
5. He is very poilte and uses, "Please" and "Thank You" without needing prompts.
6. Some days I think he lives for fruit snacks.
7. He can successfully play and understand the game, "Memory"
8. If he didn't spend an hour a day watching, "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" the world would come to an end.
9. Is starting to favor certain "key, keys" (blankets). The puppy dog and yellow striped "key, keys" are a favorite.
10. Likes to make his own toast in the morning.
11. If given the choice to drink anything he wanted, he would choose water.
12. Bed time is a little later more 8:30/9ish and the 3 hour naps and more like 2 hours naps
13. The first two things he asks when I pick him up from daycare everyday include, "Where is dadda?" followed by "Where is Whitney Dog?"
14. Loves asking, "Why?" not once, not twice, but at least 3-4 times in a row.
15. Still doesn't sleep through the night 4 out of  of 7 days a week on average.
16. Is obsessed with PICKLES.
17. Doesn't like long car rides any better than he has since he was born. (I have high hopes for his future brother will).
18. Is improving at getting his photo taken, especially if ICECREAM is part of the bribe.
19. Gets the newspaper for me to read everyday off the porch.
20. Likes to play hide and seek
21. Enjoys helping out...washing the dishes, sweeping, cleaning and helping "fix" things.
22. Becoming more social...saying hi & bye to people, not shying away as often.
23. Doesn't like to be naked.
24. Likes watching me edit client session photos, especially with those sessions with babies.
25. I bribe him with pretzels everyday for a good drop off at daycare.
26. Perfers walking than riding in his stroller.
27. If given the choice I don't think he would ever leave a park.
28. His world revolves around, Mickey Mouse, Airplanes, Motocycles, Big Trucks, Trains and Buses
29. Still has his plug (pacifier) at night and for long car rides
30. Everything is the color, "green" according to him
31. Loves to be silly.

So much has changed in just one short month. This kid is honestly amazing. Nothing could ever prepare you for such an awesome gift in life, being a mother.

While at a photo session tonight Harrison and daddy put his new bed... The dresser and cabinets still need contruction and a couple of cabinet drawers won't come in until next week, but am loving this shot from through through his bedroom door.

And when asked to night...pointing to his old toddler bed, "Who's bed is that?" He replied, "Baby bed" as he eagerly snuggled into his new bed. I can't wait for the final transformation as his room grows with him.



The (GENDER) Reveal Photos!

Are you just as excited to see the rest of our gender reveal photo session as I was? I don't think I could have ripped the envelope fast enough to shove the CD in the drive.

I have to thank my friend Jenna for capturing this moment for us! First the pregnancy reveal, now gender reveal, next up maternity session in September and hopefully Baby Bee's (Miles) birth session in November. She's so busy, I am glad she has time to squeeze The Kelley Family in. Thank you Jenna, you are an amazing person, love your work, love our friendship.


Enjoy!