Mid Summer Excerpts

We have hit our mid summer stride and have been able to steal some time away from sports to get some fun excursions in. Here are a couple of recent highlights.

Mom and Presley participated in packing 1,500 pounds of cereal for Second Harvest which distributes foods to local food shelves. We were connected to Second Harvest through our participation in National Charity League. Made my day when Presley said, "This would be fun to do for a party".



The summer of the "ENO". Presley and her friends have become obsessed with "mocking". Presley bought this ENO hammock with her refereeing money and now explores new spots to hang her ENO. This has been especially fun for her to bring to Canyon's baseball games.



Mom and Dad enjoyed our annual trip to the Basilica Block Party. This year, we saw American Authors and Death Cab for Cutie. After 17 years, this is still one of annual highlights. Great night in the new VIP Fan section.




On a rare Sunday with no activities, Mom, Presley and Canyon enjoyed a 9 mile bike ride from Minnehaha Falls to Fort Snelling. Along the way we stopped by the Minnehaha Depot and a monument dedicated to imprisoned indians that lost their lives during the US-Dakota War. This was also the day that the kids discovered Pokemon Go. Unfortunately, we missed Dad who was home sick that day.

Roadtrip to Aspen

Pergandes decided to take a road trip to Aspen over the 4th of July to visit the Colorado Pergandes. We hadn't met our newest nephew Jonathan and we also wanted to kick-off Ron's year of "50" and have some celebrations with family. It was a "LONG" drive but we had a blast of a weekend. Here are some of the highlights...

The long 17 hour journey begins...




Arrival in Aspen. Cousins, nephews, nieces, brothers reunite....





Day 1 - Visit to Maroon Bells, Swimming at Recreation Center, Hikes Up Highland for the Sunset







Day 2 - Drive up to Independence Pass. Includes hike to Weller Lake, visit to Ice Caves and Grotto, and arrival at Continental Divide.






Day 3 - Great hometown 4th of July celebration includes great parade, lunch at the firehouse, frisbee in the park, and a classical concert in the meadows. We end our day with some great family time playing dominoes at home. Thanks CO Pergandes for an amaazing visit!

June Highlights

We have had a lot of baseball and soccer in June. Canyon's team took 2nd at the Lakeville Tournament, giving them a bid to the state tournament in July. Here are a couple of pics from the weekend, including a pic with Canyon with his medal and Ron on Father's Day.




Presley and Mom are now involved with National Charity League, an organization dedicated to building mother/daughter relationships through service and leadership. This pictures is from Presley's first kickoff event with her class of 2022 cohorts.



Pergandes were in Red Wing with the cousins and granny when Aunt Colleen came to town. Here's Presley with her cute 2nd cousin Bear.

Canyon Heads to Washington DC

Canyon and 179 of his 8th grade classmates traveled to Washington DC for four days with their Social Studies teachers with World Strides for what sounds like an amazing trip. Their schedule was packed with museums, monuments, a Washington Nationals baseball game, and a cruise along the Potomac River. Canyon was "out of data" but his friends were nice enough to send me some pictures during the trip. He roomed with buddies Jack, Brock and Cooper. I think the boys really enjoyed their independence. When Canyon arrived home, he took time to walk us through all of his photos. I was pleasantly surprised with all that he had absorbed. Here are a couple of pictures from his trip.

Iwo Jima Memorial dedicated to all U.S. Marine Corps who have died in defense of the US. The memorial was inspired by the image of six Marines raising a U.S. flag during the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.



At the United States Air Force Memorial



At the White House



With Minnestoa Representative Erik Paulsen at the House of Representatives