MN State Fair 2012

Alex was petting this 3 day old calf named Cookie Dough.

We visited the kids midway before 1:00 to save 1 pt per ride.

Alex did this obstacle course ride twice.  He is really advanced since his days at McDonald's playland when Eric would have to climb up and get him, because he was stuck or scared.  He even had his shoe fall off on this ride and he just stopped and put it back on.  Eric figured someone stepped on his heel and that is what made it fall off. 

We checked out this foam pit.  The bubbles were supposed to get 5 feet high, but didn't even get up to the kids knees.  I think we won't be doing this one again.  At least it was free and helped cool you down a bit.

They ran the bubble machine  about every 30 minutes.  I think they needed to have a few more bubble machines to get the bubbles a little higher.

Clean feet?  They did have an area with some sprayers to clean off your feet.

They even have a sandbox at the state fair.  This was a nice break for the kids to get out of the stroller and relax in the parade.

Of course we had to check out the tractors!

Little Farm Hands! 

Time for little farm hands! Where kids learn a little about farming. They feed chickens, gather eggs, plant seeds, milk cows, drive tractors and pick fruits and vegetables.

They are watching for the space tower to come down!

View from the top of the space tower!

The boys enjoying their All You Can Drink Milk after having some Sweet Martha's cookies.  They didn't have more than this cup!  Eric went back for seconds!

Alex was passed out before we got out of Falcon Heights. 

The weather was perfect and we even got to see the parade.  Evan really wanted to watch the parade.  He started asking me at 11:00 when the paarade was going to start.  It doesn't start until 2:00. We did catch the parade. 

Wedding this weekend!

Eric's cousin Nicole got married this weekend.  I thought this was as great opportunity to take a family picture, because we were all dressed up!  Who wants to take a picture?  Nobody...Alex fell asleep 10 minutes into the ceremony and spent the rest of the ceremony passed out in my lap(one good way to keep him quiet..by the way)!  I want to take a picture and what do the kids do but grab onto me!

Say CHEESE!

OK this is a little better, but we are missing Eric!

Not so good!

This was the best one!

I took this one of Evan inside a little earlier in the evening.  He's quite a little ham when he wants to be!

What's been happening?

Taking our shoes off before coming in after school.  Alex often has lots of sand in his shoes after playing on the playground.

Evan put 3 flags in his front end loader!

I worked to get the weeks out of our flower garden and plant some new perennials.  I'm hoping the plants will keep the weeds out!

Alex holding his book and calendar.

Eric got this vest at Ikea for the boys.  It has nice reflectors for kids playing near the road or on their bikes.

A hug before bed!

The boys have been working to get dressed by themselves and Alex accidently pulled on his shirt like it was his pants.  OOPS!

Evan wanted to put on his halloween costumes .  He wore this costume 2 years ago and it still fits him!

Alex passed out on the way back from the island today.  No nap = one tired boy!

The "old" Twins Shirt

A couple years ago Eric's Mom gave me this Twins shirt(I'm not sure she realized it was Eric's when he was little).  It has been hanging in Evan's closet.  Last night he decided he was going to wear it today.  When I saw him tonight I was recalling this picture of Eric wearing this same shirt when he was just a couple years older than Evan. 

Eric in 1986

Evan in 2012

A visit to Duluth!

Today we stopped in Duluth on our way home from the cabin. 

All week I had been watching the Duluth Shipping News to see if a ship would be coming or leaving from the harbour while we were in Duluth.

We were in luck...The Walther Am McCarthy Jr was leaving just after we arrived!  This ship is 1000 ft long!

This ship travels to Duluth about once a week to pick up coal to take to Michigan.

A charter boat sneaks out behind the ship while the lift bridge is up.

The light house at the end of the pier.

This Spring the boys preschool teacher Amber moved to Duluth.  We met up with her and her husband today while we were in town.  The boys really enjoyed spending time with her today!

Silly faces!

She is working at a preschool in Duluth.  We really miss her!

The boys could not wait to climb on these anchors!

Alex passed out before we even got out of Duluth!