What better way to celebrate Daddy's 45th birthday than with a family adventure aboard the vintage Great Northern train of the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway in the scenic heart of the St. Croix River valley?

Caelum was captivated by the swaying trees and rustling leaves along the route, nestled comfortably in his own "milk car" enjoying Amy's special milk on demand. His wonder-filled eyes and joyful smiles added an extra layer of enchantment to our already picturesque journey.

Meanwhile, Asterius, our little train enthusiast, was in his element. Just the week before, he and Daddy had immersed themselves in a world of locomotives and railways at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum. That visit served as a special prelude to this grand adventure. Climbing aboard the train, roaming between the cars, and watching the beautiful scenery unfold, he couldn't have been happier.

As the excursion came to a close, both boys, tired but content, peacefully napped during the car ride home. Their dreams were likely filled with the promise of more adventures yet to come, serving as a beautiful reminder that the best gift of all is the time we spend together as a family

In celebration of Dadda's 45th birthday we visited the Turkish restaurant where our former Au Pair, Tugba, works. Asterius was treated like a celebrity! Tugba had spoken so fondly of him to her co-workers that he was taken behind the scenes and given the VIP treatment.

The dishes were authentically Turkish and absolutely delicious. At the conclusion of the evening, Dadda blew out the candles on a delectable dark chocolate cake. What made it even more special was that Asterius had played a part in preparing it. It was the perfect sweet ending to a day filled with love and laughter.