Great MN Get-Together: Aug 24

We spent a beautiful Minnesota day at the State Fair this weekend.

Abby was a champ...only one "meltdown" when she was too short to ride the riverboat rapids ride.

We went through all the animal barns...

Horseys

Sheep
Piggies
Goats
We met up with Abby's cousins Emma & Evan.
Took an ice cream break. Played a carnival game version of fishing...for ducks. (weird!) Abby won a pink dolphin which she ADORES!

We made our way over to the Kidway Midway so Abby could go on rides.

She did baby bumper boats. (laughing the whole time!)

Her next selection was an airplane ride.

She was too short to fly solo, so Mister Joe got to catch a flight also. Quite the sight...big Joe and tiny Abby sharing a tiny seat on this airplane that went in remarkably fast circles and relatively high into the air.

Abby was happily smiling and waving the whole way.

Joe looked petrified!

Sturgeon Lake - Aug 9

We spent a day of fun & sun with Grandma & Grandpa at the campground in Sturgeon Lake.

Abby's cousin Kayla was there too.
We went swimming...and lounged in the sun.

The campground has an AWESOME playground where we spent much of our time!

We went shopping at a bargain shop in town, and Abby got a SQUIRT GUN! She chased us all around laughing like a maniac!

the County Fair - Aug 2

Abby & I spent an afternoon at the county fair.
We had a FANTASTIC time...I mean, how can you not?


We started off with a couple rides...
Here is Abby on the motorcycle ride. After MUCH deliberation she went with the pink sparkly one. I think it was a great choice.



Then, we progressed to everyone's favorite...the merry-go-round.
Abby selected an able-bodied white with black mane mare.
She was very well-mannered and the ride was pleasant indeed.

We wandered through a couple of the exhibit buildings and the county watershed dept was there with info and a game for kids. Abby tried her luck in the kiddie fishing hole and actually landed a BIG big muskie...I was so PROUD, I was speechless! (Okay...I know it is a plastic fish with a magnet for a mouth...but there were a LOT of panfish & bass in there...and she came up with the MUSKIE...it was really quite a moment!) Her prize was a red & white bobber.

We then spent the rest of the afternoon going through all the animal barns. The turkey/chicken/duck/rabbit barn kind of freaked Abby out a little. (she must belong to her Uncle Chad's lot...those that are freaked out by birds.) Check out her expression in this photo.
The sheep were much cooler. There were some baby lambs too. And goats that you could feed.

We also got to watch some pig racing. They were FAST...and the announcer was hilarious. All the race contestants had very funny/punny pig names.

We also got to watch some horse competitions...in this one, kids held an egg on a spoon while their horses trotted and gallopped and came to a complete stop. Pretty impressive.
We had such a great time...and will for sure make plans to go again next year!

Creative Genius - July 20

Abby is a talented artist....though not necesarily a very TIDY one.

Purple eyebrows must be an indicator of artistic leanings.

Sawing Logs - July 20

This Sunday we took a family outing to the Zoo...Abby had so much fun that she zonked out in her carseat during the drive home.

She was snuggling her baby doll...it was just so sweet.

Hard Core - July 18

Abby might seem sweet & innocent....but she's really quite hard core.
She has tattoos...and an attitude.

Her newest tattoo: "I Love Me"


For real.

Children's Theater - July 13

Abby & Grandma & Kayla & I went to see "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" at the Children's Theater. It was a very funny play!

No photos allowed during the performance, but here are a few quick snaps during intermission.

Abby had....what else...
A COOKIE.
And a DRINK OF MILK.
And a STRAW.
And then she asked for a NAPKIN.
And a MIRROR to make sure she didn't have a milk mustache...
...and so the story goes!

Touring Duluth - July 12 & 13

Abby & I spent the weekend up in Duluth having fun.

We went out to breakfast with Great-Grandma.
Here Abby & Great Grandma play Barbies while waiting for their pancakes.

Then we went to the Depot & Children's Museum with Grandma, Kayla & Kaitlyn.

Abby liked climbing in and out of the BIG choo choo trains.
Abby planted a vegetable garden with Grandma's help.
They had a queens & kings and knights & dragons theme. Abby dressed up as a wise little wizard.


And she got her face painted for the first time.
This smiley face lasted for all of ten minutes before becoming a bright yellow smear.
After the Depot, we went to Playfront Park in the bay.

A quick photo op...Kayla, Abby & Kaitlyn in front of the lift bridge.
What a fun weekend!

A Princess Party: July 5

Our niece Emma turns three this week...and we were able to attend her PRINCESS themed birthday bash on Saturday.

Which also included more fun in the sun & water!