Day 2 - The Mall

A strange feeling being in Minnesota at the Mall of America with the tragedy at the Boston Marathon unfolding at home.  Having run the race and worked a few hundred yards from the site of the explosion it hit very close to home. My sister Kathy's neighbor (18 year old high school senior) was running and just made the turn for the finish line when the explosion hit and he was re-routed away from the finish.   Brett played a soccer game on Saturday against Dorchester and the brother of the boy who was killed played on that team. Our thoughts and prayers to all those impacted by this event.

The day started with a trip to Al's Diner near the University campus.  Three generation of Olen's (My Dad, Jake and I) had some great pancakes in this iconic spot.  We then got everybody for a day at the Mall of America.  The kids were excited to spend some time shopping and doing the rides at Nickelodeon Universe.  Since it was a Monday and the MN kids are not on vacation - there were no crowds and the kids got to ride all the rides they wanted.   They also enjoyed doing the 4 story climbing structure.

The cousins. Alex, Brett, Jake, Jason, Kelsey, Caley and Molly

The Mall of America was built at the site of the old Metropolitan Stadium where the Twins played baseball before they moved to the Dome and now Target Field.  They have commemorated the spot where home plate was located.

Brett is safe at home

In the fine Olen tradition of not leaving well enough alone - the fun went on into the evening.  The adults went out to dinner.  My Dad took my boys to the Timberwolves-Jazz game and Nancy took the rest back to the Shoreview Community center.  Unfortunately somebody "pooped in the pool" so that trip was a bit of a bust.  Overall an action packed day...