#30 - Family Reunion in Jamestown, Minn.

We had a great time road-tripping out to Jamestown, N.D. Because the grandparents were with, the hubs and I hopped on the motorcycle for the ride while the kids rode with the grandparents. When taking kids on a road trip, the key is to bring lots of food. At least that works with my kids! When we get to where we're going, they're too busy playing to eat! It all balances out.

While we were out there, we took the opportunity to see the World's Largest Buffalo. The Frontier Museum was tons of fun!

Learn more about the Benson family on my family history blog: http://theycametominnesota.blogspot.com/

The Benson Clan

No outing is complete without ice cream

If you look close, there's a white buffalo out there on the hilltop.

#11 - Outdoor concert at Lake Harriet Bandshell

If you want to catch live, outdoor music in the summer in Minneapolis, your best bet is the Lake Harriet Bandshell. There's a concert there every evening Monday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 and 5:30 p.m. http://www.mplsmusicandmovies.com

Take a walk, and visit the Rose Garden/Peace Garden to the east of the bandshell. They are gorgeous.

The playground up the hill is tons of fun, with one of the new water features Minneapolis Parks is adding to its playgrounds when it redos them. The only downside is that you can't see the stage from the playground.

If you are too lazy to pack a picnic, you can eat some basic fried food at Bread & Pickle. They also serve beer and wine.

#1 - Fort Snelling

We could have spent all day at Fort Snelling, but we only had so much time before naps. Because we have a Minnesota Historical Society membership and got in free, we didn't feel too much pressure to see everything at Fort Snelling. Instead we took our time and just enjoyed ourselves. Jesse and Josey tried out the stilts, and Josey washed clothes in a wash-tub. I tried on a soldier's hat. We picnicked on the grounds. It was an overcast day, so it didn't get too hot and surprisingly, the place wasn't crowded. We made some great memories.

#38 - If You Give A Mouse A Cookie

Oh, "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" is a hilarious show! Apparently, youngsters love slapstick (and so do I). I wasn't sure about a show with just three adult male actors portraying a mouse and a boy, but I love the book so off we went. And it was fantastic! I should know that the Minneapolis Children's Theater will never disappoint.

We saw the whole thing from the top row so that I could keep the 13-month-old Boy in his Ergo as it was during his nap time. It wasn't easy for him to fall asleep during the riotous laughter!

#15 - Twin Cities River Rats Show

The Twin Cities River Rats offers some of the best fun you can have on a Thursday night in Minneapolis. My husband and I went on Date Night, packing a picnic supper, but we could have just as easily brought the kiddos. The crowd was quite diverse in age. The free show was fantastic!

This year's theme is Mario Brothers, and they intersperse the amazing feats on water with funny little soundbites and scenes from the video game.

We arrived at 6 p.m. and got pretty good parking on West River Road just south of Broadway. At 6:30 p.m., the practice show starts -- the new members of the team get out on the water and start practicing. At 7 p.m., the full show begins.

There is quite a range in age of the skiers. The announcer told the audience that if you can swim, they will teach you the rest of what you need to know.

The skill of those on the water is impressive. Wow.

We are definitely going again!

http://www.tcriverrats.com/

#21 - Pick Your Own Strawberries

We picked 5 1-gallon buckets from Dew Fresh Berry Farm in Stanchfield, Minn. Grandpa Rande may have helped Josey fill up her two buckets! (She asked so sweetly.)

You've got to taste test them to be sure this is the variety you want to pick!

Berry-stained fingers

When we got home, most of the strawberries were frozen and packed into Ziplock bags for smoothies and treats later. But some became this delicious strawberry chia pudding and this yummy strawberry cobbler.

Summer bucket list

1) Visit Fort Snelling
2) Visit Oliver Kelley Farm
3) Visit Sibley House
4) Visit Mill City
5) Visit Northwest Fur Post in Pine City
6) Visit the Alexander Ramsey House
7) Drink wine at North Folk Winery in Stark
8) Sip wine at the new Winehaven winery
9) Go on the Upper St. Croix Winery Tour www.upperstcroixwinetrail.com
10) Outdoor concert at Minnehaha Park http://www.mplsmusicandmovies.com/ (Monday to Friday)
11) Outdoor concert at Lake Harriet Bandshell with a visit to the rose garden (every night)
12) Outdoor concert at Bryant Park, Minneapolis (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
13) Outdoor concert at  Father Hennepin Bluffs (Tuesdays)
14) Outdoor concert at Nicollet Island Pavillion (Mondays)
15) Twin Cities River Rats show (Thursday nights)
16) Visit Lake Itasca State Park
17) Walk across the headwaters of the Mississippi
18) Visit the Lindberg Historic Site in Little Falls
19) Dinner at La Pupusaria
20) Cool down at the Princeton Splash Pad
21) Pick-your-own strawberries
22) Kids Day at the Isanti County Fair
23) Swim at Sibley Park
24) Swim at Lake Hiawatha Park
25) Swim at Wabun
26) Swim at Bryant Park
27) Swim at Maple Grove Community Center
28) Swim at Richfield's pool/splash pad
29) Sleepover at Aunt Cindy's house
30) Family Reunion in Jamestown, N.D.
31) Family Reunion in Alexandria, Minn.
32) Swim at Como Park
33) Como Zoo
34) Eat ice cream at small shop in Delano
35) Eat ice cream in Stillwater
36) Go water skiing
37) Spend a day tubing
38) See "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" at the Children's Theater
39) Snap a photo with St. Urho in Menahga, Minn.