When I first suggested a trip to the Museum of Illusions at Mall of America, my teens weren’t exactly thrilled. “A museum?” They weren’t convinced. But the second we stepped inside, everything changed.
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From the moment we walked in, they were completely hooked—calling me over to check things out, snapping photos, and constantly saying, “Whoa! Cool! Mom, look at this!” This isn’t your typical museum where you quietly observe from a distance—it’s an interactive, hands-on funhouse of mind-bending illusions that will have you questioning reality.
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Walk on walls …
…. shrink and grow,
….defy gravity,
… and question reality in mind-tricking rooms.
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Every corner is a new surprise, and trust me—you’ll want (and need) your camera!
✅ Perfect for all ages ✅ Great for families, friends, or date nights ✅ Absolutely worth the visit!
If you’re looking for something different and seriously FUN at MOA, add the Museum of Illusions to your list. Even the skeptics (like my teens) will leave amazed!
📍 Located at Mall of America
Have you been? Let me know your favorite illusion!
Well, it’s been a while since I’ve shared a family life update, and what better time to do it than now—while I’m camped out in bed with a cold, trying to avoid spreading my germs to the rest of the house. They say moms don’t get sick days, but today I’m calling in “semi-sick-but-still-managing-life-from-my-pillow” mode. So, with a little extra time and a lot of tissues, here’s what’s been going on in our corner of the world.
The Cowboys
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George won’t stop growing up on me and is a JUNIOR in high school. He’s also taking a college class, working part time, and playing rec basketball.
Clark is busy with 9th grade basketball and spending any extra time with friends (he hopes to get to know every single person in his high school).
Paul is in 7th grade and busy with two different basketball teams and travel soccer, any free moments are spent cheering on his friends at THEIR sporting events.
Luke is keeping busy with wrestling and hanging with new neighbor friends and old neighbor friends.
Boys Weekend
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Vikings GameMall of America
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Ted and the boys had an unforgettable weekend together—complete with football, food, and father-son bonding. As an early Christmas gift, Ted took them out for dinner, played games at the Mall of America, and treated them to a hotel stay. The highlight? Sunday’s Vikings football game, which was Paul and George’s first ever! They LOVED it!
Book Launch Party x 2
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Local PartyLakeville Party
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I’m so thankful to the neighbors and friends who came to our Turtle Trouble book launch parties! We had door prizes, a live reading, a hot chocolate bar, plus a visit from the illustrator. She created a custom coloring sheet, so we hosted a coloring contest for prizes too.
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Christmas Day Recap
On Christmas morning, the boys came downstairs to find just four presents under the tree—two of which were for Ted. Paul immediately asked if there were more gifts coming. I smiled and told him he’d find out soon.
After breakfast, I sent the boys on a scavenger hunt to find their gifts. Once all the presents were found, I had another game ready to decide who got to open the first one. We alternated between games and opening gifts, giving us more time to enjoy each other’s company.
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Christmas Scavenger Hunt
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Candy Cane GameReindeer Game
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While the boys weren’t thrilled about the games (or me taking videos), Ted gently reminded them that participating was a gift to me. And though they pretended not to enjoy it, I could tell they did.
Once the games and presents were over, we had lunch, enjoyed the new gifts, and capped the day with ice skating and sledding in the evening.
The rest of Christmas break was low-key, as the flu made its way through the family one by one.
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School Daze
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Lately, I’ve been making the rounds in schools, reading to kids and teaching every grade from K-12. It’s been a blast—though let me tell you, shifting gears from kindergarten chaos to middle school energy keeps me on my toes. Every day is a new adventure!
One highlight? When I was teaching at a middle school recently, I scored an exclusive invite to sit with the cool kids—the middle school boys—at lunch!
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Minneapolis Date
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Ted and I recently managed to escape for a much-needed date—because sometimes you’ve got to remind yourself that you are more than just your kids’ snack supplier and chauffeur. We explored the Minnesota Sculpture Garden, where we tried to interpret what the sculptures were supposed to be: Is it a deep metaphor or just a giant spoon?
We then walked across the bridge to Gai Noi and enjoyed some amazing curry. It was one of those perfect afternoons where we felt like grown-ups again.
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Wrigley’s Goes to Jail
Wrigley is doing great… aside from one minor run-in with the law.
It all started when I let him outside. Normally, he never leaves our yard, but of course, this one time, he decided to explore—I should add that he wasn’t wearing his collar. Thankfully, a kind neighbor one street over, found our adventurous (and overly friendly) dog. Not knowing where he belonged, she kindly escorted him to the local police station.
Apparently, Wrigley’s charm didn’t stop with our family; he sweet-talked the officers into taking his mug shot and posting it online to see if anyone recognized him. When I got a text from our neighbor asking, “Is this Wrigley?” I ran to check outside. No Wrigley. I asked the boys—no one had seen him. Sure enough, the fugitive in question was our Wrigley… chilling at the police station.
The reunion was equal parts embarrassing and sweet. Wrigley wagged his tail and jumped up to give me a hug, and I gave him a lecture he clearly tuned out.
He’s home safe now, keeping my reading spot warm and probably dreaming about his next “adventure.”
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Turtle Trouble Book Love
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Thanks to each of you who have purchased a copy of Turtle Trouble! I appreciate the love and support. It’s not too late to get a copy for a school, hospital, library, or child in your life! Click here to buy one, or send me a message for signed copies.
If you have a copy of the book – would you please leave an Amazon review (by clicking here)! Every review helps promote the book! Thank you in advance.
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And that’s the latest from our little corner of the world—complete with kids, chaos, and one (now) law-abiding goldendoodle. Life is not always be picture-perfect, but it’s full of stories that keep us laughing, learning, and sometimes stopping by the police station.
Thanks for catching up with us! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to refill my tea, grab a book, and see if Wrigley left me any room in my reading spot.
Until next time—stay well, stay warm, and maybe keep an eye out for any furry escape artists!
Have you ever reached into a mystery box without knowing what’s inside? The mix of excitement, a little fear, and a whole lot of fun? That’s how the Turtle Trouble book begins—a true story of curiosity and teamwork, featuring the four Egly brothers.
Turtle Trouble brings to life one of our family’s unforgettable adventures, where a fun-filled “What’s in the Box?” game takes an unexpected turn. What started as a simple challenge spiraled into something wilder. When a frog and a turtle join the game, the boys can’t wait to put their bravery to the test!
But, of course, adventure always comes with a twist: soon after a turtle appears, it mysteriously disappears! What follows is a fast-paced family search that has everyone wondering—where could the curious creature have gone? Will the boys be able to solve the mystery before it’s too late?
Writing this book was a joy! With four energetic boys, our family’s life is often filled with adventures, unexpected detours, and moments that make us laugh (or scramble!). The “What’s in the Box?” game was a favorite in our house, where each turn promises something new and exciting. But when real creatures entered the game, we were in for a story that would go down in Egly family history.
Turtle Trouble is a story of teamwork, curiosity, and a family’s determination to solve a problem together. Just like our last book, it’s about celebrating kindness, cooperation, and the fun of family life. Our boys had so much fun creating this memory that I knew I had to ‘re-create it’ into a book that we could share with other families.
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Here is actual footage of the day this story was created:
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Where to Find Turtle Trouble
If you’re looking for a story to make your little ones laugh, gasp, and cheer along with the Egly brothers, you can find Turtle Trouble on Amazon! It’s a perfect read for kids who love animals, mystery, and a dash of family fun.
Signed copies will be available in December and would make a wonderful Christmas gift for any child up to age 12.
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How to Win a Signed Copy:
Share this blog post or this link on instagram, Facebook or any of your socials and TAG ME! Every place you share gets you entered to win a signed copy!
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Thank you for supporting Turtle Trouble—we hope it brings as much joy to your family as it has to ours!
When we moved to Minnesota I didn’t understand why people would go “up north” for vacation. Wouldn’t they want to go SOUTH and find sunshine and warm weather. Well, when I finally went “up north,” it all made sense. It’s magnificent.
As fall break approached, we thought about indulging in more of that ‘up north’ beauty. But instead, we decided to stay home, check out some local spots, and take a breather before sports and the holiday busy-ness have us running.
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Here are some highlights:
Clark and Paul found recipes on TikTok. While I was working at the Artisan Home tour, they road their bikes to Aldi, bought groceries with their own money, and cooked chicken and pasta for the family! I could not have been more proud.
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I took my first painting class and I loved it! I got to learn new techniques and meet some wonderful people
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Screenshot
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We made a trip to the Mall of America, where we explored the new Museum of Illusions—such a fun and mind-bending experience.
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First college visit for George! We got a tour of the University of Minnesota. What a BEAUTIFUL campus.
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The U of M has one of the largest campus bookstores in the county.
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Beautiful historic buildings on the U of M campus!
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We went to a Minnesota Timberwolves preseason game against the Denver Nuggets. Unfortunately, AntMan was not playing, but it was still a fun game to watch.
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Our first “family” basketball game.The 2 legends behind Luke were in attendance, but not playing.
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Clark was back on the court. He is playing on a ‘pre-seaon’ team before his first ‘high school’ try out. Here’s a quick video highlight:
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Luke had one additional day off so we spent the day together playing pickle ball and going to The Wild Robot. It was a cute movie, but we like the book better.
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We are loving this unusually warm fall in Minnesota. The tree outside my house is bringing me absolute delight!
“This is 9-1-1, what’s your emergency?” the man on the phone asked calmly.
“I’ve lost my son,” I stuttered between heavy, anxious breaths.
Paul was only 4. We had finished shopping and I asked him to climb into his car seat while I loaded our groceries. When I came around to buckle Paul into his seat, he wasn’t there.
“Paul?” I asked. No answer.
“Paul?” I said a little louder. No answer.
I looked inside the car. No Paul. I looked under the car. No Paul. I did a lap around my car. No Paul.
My heart was beating fast. I’m trying not to panic.
“Did you see a little boy with a red shirt?” I ask a woman getting into a car nearby. She shook her head no.
“I can’t find my son.” I say to people in the parking lot. No one has seen him.
A lady kindly offers to watch my other kids while I search for Paul.
I run back into the grocery store while scanning the parking lot. I see cars leaving and hope that Paul is not in one them. “Has he been kidnapped?” I think, terrified.
I look inside the grocery store. No Paul.
The store manager sends staff out to help find my son and I decide it’s time to call 911, “What’s your emergency?”
“I’ve lost my son.” I respond, with panic in my voice.
While I answer the dispatcher’s questions, I suddenly remember to pray. I silently say, “God, you know where Paul is. Please show me what to do or where to look.” I pause, take a shaky breath and feel a prompt, “Go look in your car again.”
I’m still answering the dispatcher’s questions when I climb into my minivan to get a better look. I climb to the backseat, and look down onto the floor. That is where I found little Paul, curled up behind the back seat, hiding.
“I found him! I found him!” I cry to the dispatcher and to the kind woman still watching my other children.
The dispatcher tells me how happy he is and then reminds me to breathe.
I hang up, take a deep breath and ask Paul what he’s doing curled up in the back of the car.
“I’m playing hide-and-seek with you Mommy!” he says with a big smile.
“Paul, please tell me we are playing hide-and-seek BEFORE you hide next time! I thought I lost you and I was scared.”
“But you FOUND me mom,” he playfully responds, full of joy.
I give him a hug and buckle him into his seat. I thank the kind woman watching my other children and get them buckled in too. As I climb into my seat and turn on the car, I notice I’m shaking. I take some deep breaths and pause to thank God for keeping Paul safe and helping me find him.
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Reflecting on, and writing this story, brought up all the feelings from that day – both the horror and fear I felt as I frantically searched for Paul, and the relief of finding him and the joy of answered prayer.
More importantly, on this day I had a clearer understanding and appreciation of how Jesus Christ pursued me when I was lost. Though, like Paul, I did not know I was lost, He found me. In His presence I found peace, acceptance, joy, unconditional love, purpose and LIFE.
In the book of Luke, chapter 15, Jesus tells a story about a lost sheep. A lost sheep in the wilderness is doomed. It has no protection and it would be only a short time before the coyotes or other predators would attack and kill it.
The Bible calls Jesus our Good Shepherd and says we are His sheep. If we are wandering this earth without allowing Him to guide us, we are easy targets for the enemy’s attack.
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Just as I searched for my son, this story emphasizes the Shepherd’s relentless pursuit of us. In fact, the story shares how the Shepherd left the 99 sheep in his flock to find the ONE missing sheep.
I left my other sons to search for Paul because of my love and care for him. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, seeks us, His lost sheep – a pursuit fueled by love. The story in Luke 15 says that the Shepherd had “exuberant joy” when He found the lost sheep. He carried it to safety with “careful delight” (Luke 15:5 TPT).
As a Christ follower, I understand that my connection with God is not a result of my own pursuit but a response to the Him seeking me. In life’s chaos, we often find ourselves lost and yearning for a connection, and it’s through faith in Jesus that we find direction, protection, and unconditional love.
As we navigate life’s twists and turns, please know that just like a loving parent, God is continuously seeking you, inviting you into the warmth of His love. May you be found by Him and rest in His warm presenceand careful delight.
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Prayer:
“Dear Jesus, thank you for pursuing me with your love. May I be found by you and follow you all the days of my life. May I pause and remember you throughout my day and allow you to lead me. You are the Great Shepherd who leads with love toward peace, joy, and fulfillment. Amen.”
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Verses to consider:
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The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:1-4
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For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
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I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
George is thriving on the soccer field and an excellent new driver!
Clark is constantly generating new business ideas. He’s also enjoying travel basketball.
Paul is doing well with travel soccer and wrestling. He’s always up for a chat or debate.
Luke is dabbling in several sports. He’s an adventurous soul and always laughing.
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Meanwhile, Ted is thriving at Target, making waves and leaving positivity in his wake. As for me, I’m substitute teaching at the boys’ schools. I also get the honor of writing for this blog as well as guest posting for others. My second children’s book, “The Great Lake Rescue,” was published in July!
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Our furry family member, Wrigley, turned three this year. He’s officially earned the title of “World’s Best Dog,” bringing joy, laughter, and a whole lot of slobbery tennis balls into our lives.
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We’ve moved again! We haven’t traded the Land of 10,000 Lakes for a tropical paradise. Nope, we’re still proudly repping Minnesota. We found a home that suits our tribe better, with less of a commute for Ted.
In 2008, George had just turned one. His wobbly walk reminded us of Frankenstein…so that’s the costume he wore that year.
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2010-2013 George and Clark LOVED costumes and dressing up as different characters.
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George and Clark as Woody and Buzz
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This was 2015 – our first year in Colorado. All the boys were superheroes. I was well protected!
The year of the Superheroes!
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2018 – our first Halloween in Minnesota. George was AntMan, Clark and Paul were Ninjas and Luke was superman (a costume that all the boys have worn and loved).
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Clark was a football player. Our friend’s daughter was a football!
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Luke and his friend were “bad guys” – guilty of being TOO CUTE! Our friends and neighbors were the police -on patrol and handing out tickets!
On May 24, 2023 my grandfather finished his race and peacefully passed from earth into heaven as he held my sister’s hand. I was honored to be asked to speak at his funeral, and here is some of what I shared:
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My favorite memories of my grandfather are our trips to Florida.
I remember feeling pure joy when we’d cross the Florida state line and spot the first PALM TREE. They would be standing tall, waving and welcoming us in. The palm tree reminded us to breathe deep, relax and enjoy time together.
I’ve always had a special place in my heart for palm trees, partially because we never see them in the midwest, they represent WARM WEATHER and family time, but also because they remind me of my grandfather.
As I thought about the palm tree, I realized it represents who my grandfather was and some of what he taught me.
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Palm trees are unique in that they have inner strength that is unlike any other tree. Instead of trying to stand firm and rigid like the other trees, the palm tree sways with the wind. The palm tree’s flexible, almost elastic structure allows it to bend with the force of the winds and sway right back into place once the winds and storm pass. The palm tree’s roots actually get stronger with every storm it endures.
Just like the palm tree, my grandfather wasn’t about outer adornment, he focused on strengthening his inner core. That inner strength came from his faith in Jesus.
In life, there are times where he stood firm on his convictions, but he also knew how to be flexible, how to show grace, forgiveness and love.
I am a better person because I was loved by Grandpa Ned.
My grandfather taught me that the combination of inner strength along with flexibility (or grace), are the keys for enduring the tests and trials of life’s storms. He taught me that no matter how big the storm may seem, storms don’t last forever. And we serve a God who is bigger than any storm.
Storms made my grandfather stronger because he sought God’s wisdom and planted his roots in the soil of faith in Jesus.
When you see a PALM TREE, I hope you remember him. May it remind us of his inner strength and his grace, and may you consider how you can show that grace, forgiveness and love to others.
“It was a summer of good-byes, see you laters, reunions and releases.”
– Kara Huey
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Grandma Alma’s beautiful casket
Family gathered to celebrate – aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, dad and sisters
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We said good-by to our beloved grandfather at the beginning of the summer, and goodbye to our Grandma Alma at the end of this summer. Alma Jean Riley Freeman lived from June 21, 1932 until August 30, 2023 (91 years). Ned Wayne Freeman lived from December 30, 1930 until May 24, 2023 (92 years). My grandparents were married for 70 years!
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Grandparents play a vital role in shaping a child’s life. They create lasting memories and engage in unique conversations that stand apart from interactions with any other individual. Grandparents contribute significantly to a child’s character development, reinforcing essential values and making priceless investments in their grandchildren’s well-being.
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I’m so thankful for the years I had with my grandparents. Here are some of my favorite memories with them:
Trips to Florida, especially the ones that included a visit to Disney World.
I was the only grandchild that joined them for one “art-buying” trip. With their many grandchildren, this was an honor! My grandparents bought me a piece of art, and had the artist sign it. My grandfather brought it home and framed it for me.
One morning my grandmother took me to breakfast and let me order a strawberry Sundae. My eight-year old heart and mind (and stomach), thought this was the best breakfast ever.
At age 17, I got in a car accident while driving to school in the snow. My parents were both out of town so my grandparents were the first ones to arrive after the accident, making sure I was okay and helping navigate what to do.
My high school graduation “Open House” was in my grandparent’s home. They allowed approximately one hundred people to trek in and around their property all day without any complaints – only support for their new high school graduate and all her friends.
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The art piece that my grandparents bought and grandpa framed.A wonderful trip to Disney
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A pictures i found at my grandparents house, taken at my high school open house, on their deck.
Today I’d love to share the beautiful eulogy written by my dad to honor his mom (my grandma).
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My dad used four words that describe my grandmother:
Determination
Decision
Décor
Devotion
The remaining post was written by my dad, regarding his mom, my grandma Alma.
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My Dad and sisters
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DETERMINATION
My mom was born in Jackson County, Kentucky in 1932 in the most humble and primitive conditions. A small cabin with no indoor plumbing. It took determination for her to become an owner of multiple businesses and own a beautiful home on Indiana’s largest natural lake.
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DECISION
In the mid 1960s we attended Eel River Baptist Church. One Sunday morning with my grandparents, dad and family present, mom got up from the pew and went forward to choose a life of faith in Jesus.
The impact for me was profound and I still relive those moments with the sun shining thru the large stained-glass window of the church.
While our lives are filled with many decisions, that is the single most important decision we can all make: to become a follower of Jesus.
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DECOR
Mom was a perfectionist and it showed in her work. The decorating details and standards are beyond what most of us know. The funeral room (where we celebrated her life) was one example of her handiwork; from wall decor to the large window treatments. Her decorating business became so large and popular, the business eventually evolved into mainly decorating, including fine art and antiques because of her amazing talent to improve people’s lives with her unique creative touch.
My grandma had a great sense of style. This was her snowmobile suit from approximately 1960!My grandma and aunt Michelle
DEVOTION
My mother’s devotion was unwavering. She was with dad over 71 years. She could not swim but owned over a dozen boats! Why? Because of her devotion to my dad who loved boats.
She was always in my corner .. correcting me when she thought I needed it, but caring and loving me both near and far. When I lived alone out east in a small, one bedroom apartment, she and dad appeared one day with a small Christmas tree to decorate and celebrate.
A year or two later on Long Island, I found myself in a hurricane. The phone rang and it was my mom, making sure I was safe. She was devoted for her family.
Determination, Decision, Décor and Devotion are just four small words that summarize one big, adventure-filled life that my mom lived. Thank you for celebrating her with us today.
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My last visit with both of my grandparents during the summer of 2022:
My last visit with grandma, July 2023 (pictured with Paul, who took the afternoon away from swimming and spending time with cousins to spend time with grandma. Paul felt like it might be our last visit with her):
