Minnesota Visit- Liza Turns One!

We departed July 24th for Minnesota.  Driving our Ford Escape Hybrid for the first time on the interstate we set out with a goal to see how good the gas mileage could get.  This required slowing down up every hill and accelerating slowly.  What is normally a 10.5-12 hour drive turned into 16 hours!

Ok so it wasn't all due to cautious driving, we did stop to play and see some people along the way.  Oh and the gas mileage?  34 mpg.  Not too shabby.

Saturday the 25th we drove to Bemidji for the Birchmont golf tournament.

The picture below is from the qualifying round.  My sister Cydney, me, my college golf teammate Brittany, and my sister Heather.  None of us won unfortunately but we did manage to have a wonderful time.

These pictures are from the Birchmont website.  That's Tuff getting ready to tee off.

In green, my MN neighbor Brad, me in background, my brother Derek in black and Tuff in red.

My dad.  He won this year's masters division!

While at the Birchmont, we celebrated Liza's first birthday with family and friends.

The birthday girl with some of her loot.

Post mini cupcake "smash."

The picture below is from the birthday party preparations.  Liza's cousin Milo, who turned one the previous month, is explaining what a first birthday party is.

Liza and Grandpa.

My parents stayed in a cabin on Lake Bemidji and hosted the party.

MN neighbors Bobbe and Sarah.

While in Bemidji my friend Rachel drove over to see us.  Love her and her littles.

Speaking of Rachels, we got to enjoy breakfast with another beautiful Rachel!  Both Rachels were in my wedding party.  This was in Detroit Lakes on Big Flyod Lake.  Minnesota is the 'Land of Lakes.'

Most days were gorgeous and we played on the beach.  That's Liza and my college golf teammate's youngest Ainsley.

Liza, Tuff, Grace.

Keller and Liza.

Grace's first big boat ride.

After the tournament we only had two days back in Staples, where my parents live.  Grace pictured below posing as a golfer.

Keller pushing the girls to the pool.

Shawnee, our niece came along to Minnesota with us.  This was at our neighbor's pool.

 Milo and Liza.

Sisters and their babies.

Uncle Greg holding Liza.  A baby girl would look good in your future!

We headed back to Montana August 4th.  This time driving the Ford Escape "normally."  27mph.  Again, not too bad.  As if you haven't had enough, here is one more picture of our now one year old.