Thanks Bro

This year we opted for the "Staycation"...a vacation at home for the weekend. Good choice for sure! We "futzed" around the house for Saturday and Sunday, and enjoyed an American tradition of traveling to one of Minnesota's beautiful State Parks on Monday.

But, first the title....

I couldn't resist calling this post "Thanks Bro"... (are you laughing yet Dane?)

On Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend, we ventured down to Lake Harriet (a gorgeous city lake here in Minneapolis). At the playground, trying to be fine upstanding citizens, we asked our girls to get up from their swings when another father and his daughters were patiently waiting for their turn. Upon giving up the swings, the nice father said to Dane "Thanks Bro". This man was certainly trying to be "nice". But, I spent a lot of time thinking about this man...and, his motivations for calling Dane a "Bro".

Obviously, You can come to your own conclusions. Honestly, he was trying to be nice--and to "relate" to Dane. But, I couldn't help but think---this WHITE man has never left Edina, Minnesota. Poor thing. Big world out there, Bro. You don't have to call every black guy you meet a "bro". "Thanks man" would've sufficed.

ANYWAY....here's a few photos from our glorious trip to Interstate State Park on the St. Croix river. Thank you for the Mkaouri family for being such fun people. We had a great day we will always remember---rock throwing, kids getting dirty and no one caring, hiking, campfire building--and, of course, the grand finale--smores and popcorn! And, the fact it was cloudy and cold all day...who cares. What a blast.