Touring the M.O.M.A (Museum of Meat-Themed Awesomeness)

My parents live close to Hormel headquarters in Austin, Minnesota, so while we were visiting, Jon and I took a tour of the Spam Museum and tried to uncover the secrets of the nation's top mystery meat.  The Spambassators were really friendly and shared plenty of spamles with us as we wondered around the museum.  Ironically, the turkey Spam was my favorite.  The Wall of Spam, a Monty Python tribute, the company's history, vintage Spam displays, a Spam trivia game show, meeting mascot Spammy, assembling our own can of Spam, and a gift shop full of Spam Sanuks and slicers were all part of the experience.  The Porkapolis.  The Guggenham.  The Eighth Wonder of the World.  The Spam Museum is pretty weird and wonderful (which also seems to be a common theme in our home).

Watching Tuey Juggle

Here's my Mom's cousin, Tuey Wilson.  He's a professional juggler.

Nope, I am not kidding.
When we discovered that he was performing in Faribault, we took the kids to the show.  They loved the show and think it's pretty cool to be related to a comic stunt juggler.

Uncky P's Softball Game

We loved going to see Uncle Patrick's game.  He had quite a cheering section...whether he wanted one or not!

Twirling After Lunch

Liam and Marin rode the spinning teacups right after lunch, and Liam can really get it spinning fast!  Contrary to what these pictures might lead one to believe, all of Marin's lunch stayed in her tummy.  And she was smiling by the end, ready to ride again.

Como Park and Town

Last week, we  spent one day with Debby, Jeff, and Avonlea at Como Park Zoo and Como Town, an amusement park connected to the zoo.  It was a little warm for the adults, but the kids had fun.  If anyone needs proof that Minnesota summers can be sweltering, take a look at these sweaty children.

Berry Picking Cousins

Freshly picked strawberries may be the very best thing in the entire world.  And the kids loved spending some time on the farm picking them...and eating them!  

Ellery and Fishing

Pontoon Fishing Party

We're still in Minnesota.  There are more than 10,000 lakes around here.  We had a pontoon party on one of them.  Liam caught NINE fish.  I may or may not have purchased a walleye fillet flown freshly in from Canada the next day for him to eat.  If that had happened, he might have believed that it was one of the little fish he caught and been one proud, happy little fisherman.