Adam's birthday

Adam & Emily's house

We were so happy to be able to be here in Chaska to celebrate Adam's 24th birthday with him. We didn't make huge plans for the day or anything, but we did want to see around their neighborhood, so Adam took us on a walk this morning. This area has paved trails, very nicely kept, that lead in and out of numerous neighborhoods, through parks and playgrounds, schoolyards, apartment complexes, etc.
Just because Adam and Emily don't have any little children (yet), doesn't mean we couldn't enjoy ourselves on the playground!

We had a great time seeing the sights that are close by their house. It was in the low 50's and really really windy today ... so it was a bit cold outside! I don't want it to be cold yet!

We weren't sure what to do with our afternoon. Should we just relax at home and play some games, or would it be more fun to take the light rail downtown and have a look around downtown Minneapolis?

We definitely decided it would be much more fun to take the light rail!

I love to explore big cities, don't you? We had so much fun! We ate dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe'. The pictures I took there did not turn out.

We walked to a huge downtown mall area that connected several buildings and warehouses with skywalks. We didn't really do any shopping; we just enjoyed looking around and walking.

I think my favorite part of downtown was the Hennepin Bridge over the Mississippi River. It's a beautiful suspension bridge. We walked on it and took some pictures, and then walked under it and took some more ...

We just hung around downtown for a couple of hours, walking and talking and taking in the sights, and then we rode the light rail back to the parking lot over by the Mall of America to retrieve our car and go back to Chaska.

We brought some birthday dessert home to enjoy with Adam and Emily. Here is Adam blowing out his big 24 ...

We had a wonderful and relaxing day with Adam and Emily. I'm so thankful we could spend the day with them; and especially that it worked out we could be with Adam on his birthday.

Adam received a very cool remote-control mini-helicopter from his in-laws for his birthday. I just thought you'd like to see it!

Tomorrow morning, Mr. Jones and I are finally taking our last leg of the trip back to Michigan. We hope to be home by 9-10:00. I don't think I'm going to want to get back in that van for a very long time!