Family Fun Day at Baker Park

After two weeks of clouds, the sun came out on Jan 7th, and we headed out to "family fun day" at a local park just north of Lake Minnetonka.
We had a great time, and it was really nice to be out in the sunshine enjoying what (little) snow we have. It seems like winter just can't get started this year, so we have to make the most of it when we can!



Smores around a campfire


Emma finds her first geocache!

Camp Snoopy New Year's Eve

Call us ambitious, call us crazy, but we decided that it would be fun to spend New Years Eve at... the Mall of America! Now, the megamall is not a common destination for us, with its crowds, sheer size, and inevitable requests from the kids to ride the rides in the middle, but we thought that this might be a special treat for them. As a bonus, Maggie was along to help out with the kid wrangling, which always makes a big difference. It was rather crowded, but the kids had a really good time, and were very tired when we got home (read: few issues getting them to bed), so it wasn't that bad a way to ring in the new year. It looks like the park is losing its "Peanuts" licensing, so perhaps we attended the last "Camp Snoopy New Year."


Emma's interpretive New Year dance.


Carousel fun.


Acrobatic Mama...


...and acrobats from Kenya.


Emma loves Maggie


Owen loves Sean


The boys liked the acrobats on stage.


Getting to know Linus...


...and offer him some ice cream.

Christmas in La Crosse

We went to Mandy's parents' house for Christmas this year. Maggie and Rose were also able to be there, making for a very full house. My brother Huw is in Boston, and my parents were in Wales to be with my aunt and grandfather, so it was good to be around so much family for Christmas. Huw is hoping to do a long weekend in MN soon, and we plan on visiting my parents in May to reconnect with that side of the family. The kids had a good time at Christmas, as the photos show.

Emma and her camera

Emma was given a Kodak digital camera for her birthday. We keep it on a charging dock in the dining room, so she can grab it when inspiration strikes. It often does...

In memoriam, B. Ifor Morris

On January 9th, my Datcu (welsh grandfather) passed away. My mom was able to be there until near the end, since she had stayed on in Wales to help out after her sister Lyn's funeral. He had a long and active life, and it was hard for him to lose his mobility in the last few years. He passed away peacefully at a hospital following a long decline. I appreciated the the times I was able to visit him, especially with Emma and Owen during the last visit. Roddi i mi galon lân. Hwyl, Datcu.

In memoriam, Lyn Evans

On December 27, 2005, my aunt Lyn passed away peacefully after a multi-year battle with cancer. My mom and dad were able to be with her over in Wales at the end, and share Christmastime with her one last time. She was one of the most "alive" people I have ever met. She was often the social coordinator for events involving my mom's family, and she was always willing to open up her home to family visitors. Once there, the house was always filled with laughter and good cheer. I will cherish the memories of her laugh, her singing, her welshness, and her caring heart. I am so glad that Emma and Owen were able to meet her last February (photo on the right). She leaves behind my uncle John and her two kids, Geraint and Daniel. I miss her, and am very glad that she was part of my life.