#34 - Eating ice cream at small shop in Delano, Minn.

Linnie's ice cream shop was a great place for us to stop on our way home from a camping trip, stretch our legs and sugar up. And I felt good about supporting a local business.

100 Bridge Ave E  Delano, MN 55328
http://www.linniesicecream.com

ABOUT THE FAMILY

Linnie is the daughter of Jon and Sheri Steinmetz who, after the real estate market fell out, began Linnies Ice Cream on a whim over Summer 2009. The Store has become successful thanks to the innovative and creative family behind it.

While the family loves working on store projects they are also involved elsewhere!

Jon: Is the Founder of Delano’s Historical Society. He was the Mayor of Delano 2004-2008 and was one of the main catalysts to get the Highway 12 project completed while still keeping it small town. He has taken pride in Downtown Delano and is always seeking to better all of the businesses in Delano. On top of that he also works full time for Hoglund Law. Right now he is out sweeping the parking lot!

Sheri: Is the bookkeeper And Business woman. She also Sings with the Soul Sisters, an a cappella group of 5 ladies that perform at the store every once in awhile.

#22 - Kids Day at the Isanti County Fair

Well, we went a day before Kids Day because it worked better for scheduling (kinda), but then we still without one group of cousins... It's getting harder to get everyone together as the kids get older and busier.

I do love the Isanti County Fair. I remember going as a kid and hanging out for the entire fair at my dad's C & H Siding and Remodeling booth. Good memories... I am glad to give my children their own memories of this place. It was the first place my daughter wore shoes for more than 30 seconds... at age 16 months!

The wee ones.

Isn't this little guy an absolute darling?! It was our first time meeting the son of a girl I started babysitting at age 7 months! (Yes, it's a little crazy we are having babies at the same time!)

What's a trip to a fair without a pony ride?

The scavenger hunt in the 4H barns was tons of fun! I hope they do it again.

High, high jumps

Peek-a-boo

$4 glitter tattoos

And the best ride of all...

#20 - Princeton Splash Pad

This is our most favorite splash pad. It's too bad it isn't closer to the Twin Cities area! (Princeton is about an hour's drive north of Minneapolis.) It costs $4 each to get in. The area is pretty big and it's all enclosed. There is no standing water.

The fence and lack of standing water make this a worry-free zone.

I can feel good about letting my 12-month old and older kids run loose. I love a water play area where I don't have to hover.

The splash pad is a bit hidden in Mark Park. Just drive all the way to the back; it's behind the park building. 11th Ave. So & 5th St. So. The place opens at 11 a.m.

I've written about it before at: http://drivingwiththewindowswideopen.blogspot.com/2010/07/splash-park-2-princeton-minn.html

Learn more at the city's web site: http://www.princetonmn.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={17341848-BF64-49BA-80C3-8DC7B0C35755}

#24 - Swim at Lake Hiawatha Park

We love this neighborhood park in Standish. The playground is tons of fun, and the pool is great. It is one of those labeled a "splash pad" but it's more like a pool with zero-depth entry. I did have to work hard to keep my one-year-old safe. He wanted to run straight into the water, but the puddlejumper didn't keep him safe yet.

#12 - Outdoor concert at Bryant Square Park

Minneapolis' Music in the Parks series is perfect for our family right now. The 1-year-old and 4-year-old can play on the playground while mom and dad enjoy the music. We often hang out with the grandparents at one of the shows, as well. It makes a nice night out.

See shows at Bryant Square Park on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Bryant also has a pool and fields, as well as a basketball hoop. I like it when the swings and areas for both preK and over K are right next to each other.

3101 Bryant Ave. S., Minneapolis

Learn more at http://www.mplsmusicandmovies.com/

Yo Jimbo Jazz

I love the dolphin! It doesn't work as a fountain anymore, but is still fun to climb on.

#32 - Swim at Como Park

This is a great pool, complete with waterslides that kids of all ages (including Pre-K) can go on. There aren't many pools like that. I think it'd also be fun to bring bigger kids and try out the zip line and cliff jumping area. Plus, the cost is less than most places (such as Cacade Bay and Bunker Beach).

Plus, if it rains, your admission is good at the indoor city-run pool just a ways away. (Great River Waterpark at Lexington and 94)

Click here to view a news story I wrote on Como. http://www.monitorsaintpaul.com/affordable-family-fun-at-como/

Click here to view city web site with details on pool hours. http://www.stpaul.gov/index.aspx?NID=2672

Aquatic zip line and climbing well

Zero-depth entry

The 25-yard 6-lane lap pool features 2 basketball hoops. My 4-year-old just wanted to jump in and swim to dad.

My 1-year-old loved this area. He fell asleep before I could snap a photo of him there, however!

#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.