Nice Rally, Summer!

This hot late summer weather is perfect for a neighborhood ice cream party! But seriously, check out the ice cream man!

Cousins

Since Anders will never have siblings, I'm extra thankful for cousins, both big and small. His big cousins dote on him and are his biggest fan club. In case you can't tell, he eats it up! Reminds me of when, Cousin Erik, joined the family. His little cousins give him the opportunity to work through some sibling like issues.

Elise came to stay with us for a few days after Reuben was born. She cuddled on the couch with me and watched Tangled. It was awesome because I'm pretty sure Anders will be too old to cuddle when he can finally sit through a movie!

Elise has always looked a lot like Ken but there are moments when I can't believe how much she also looks like Maren. Also, it is impossible to photograph these two together!!!!

8 Years!

Brian and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary the same week Uncle David and Aunt Louise celebrated their 50th!

Congratulations, David and Louise. We are blessed to have you as role models!

State Fair 2013

I love the State Fair! I especially love going to the State Fair with Maren. This year the only day we could go the forecast called for 97 degrees. No problem. We found a sitter for Baby Reuben and decided to get there at 7 am. I have never gotten to the fair that early. I assumed if the fair was open everything else would be open too. Not so much. We made the most of it but couldn't spread out our eating enough to try everything we wanted too. We did manage to get in a few trips down the giant slide, machinery hill, the farm, the kidway and plenty of food on a stick before deciding it was stupid hot and calling it quits.

Wild River State Park

We had a beautiful August weekend with no plans. Yes, we should have stayed home and caught up on some much needed housework but there will be plenty of winter months for that! So we packed up at the last minute and went camping.

We took lots of hikes. One of them led us to a nice sandy beach.

But Anders favorite part of the trip was the campfire.

He helped Daddy carry heavy logs.

And collected many sticks to throw on the fire. He is not always the best listener.

Ander got to stay up late enough for a little glow stick action.

Pit stop for ice cream in Taylor's Falls on the way home.

Zoo

We had a couple late summer trips to the zoo. First with Grandma Jane and Elise to see the dinosaurs.

Then a class with Grandma Jane and feeding the giraffes.

And a trip to Como Zoo and Como Town with Mom's college friends.