Surprise!! International weekend visitors.

About a month ago Martin spoke to his brother who said he might be coming to visit this summer.  The dates weren't pinned down and nothing was really settled, then we had an idea when they were coming but no tickets were purchased so we kind of thought that it wasn't happening, but then at less than a weeks notice they got the tickets and came to visit.  Welcome to Minnesota Diego, Mariela and Luchi!!

But first. . our new neighborhood goes bonkers for the 4th of July.  We had been hearing stories about since we moved in and have been eagerly anticipating it for the last year.  IT did not dissapoint.  Jimmy was happy to be surrounded by some of the older ladies of the neighborhood and Jules.

The first order of business was to get out and see the lake.  Mariela and I were happy to oblige and let the Felices brothers and their first born venture out on the canoe.

A weekend isn't much time to experience a ton of MN things - especially when shopping needs to happen - but we managed to get out to the Como Zoo and conservatory.  Ben loved hanging out with Luchi (perhaps because the first morning she left some M&M's and TicTacs unattended. . .)

Attached is ComoTown - a year round carnival type place. 

After the adventure at Bay Beach - all Ben wanted to do was ride on different rides.  They have a very lenient height requirement at this place.  Luchi loved this swing ride. 

Ben went between terrified and having the time of his life.

It happened to be the first day of the summer to reach 90 degrees so we played with the waterballoon launcher.

And had fun swimming at the park at the end of the road.

And capped off Luchi's birthday with a trip to the Rainforest Cafe at the Mall of America.

Luchi was perfectly content playing in the backyard and loved the swing that we put up. Thank goodness.  Her joy will hopefully be replicated by Ben in the near future. 

It was a short but sweet visit and a much shorter trip than from Argentina.  Hopefully they'll come again!