A Fantastic Fair Day!

We went down to the fair tonight to see how all of our entries placed and to eat more fair food. Mark earned at least eight first place ribbons with his vegetables, so he was quite pleased. He swept the string bean and cucumber category, earning top place with two varieties of each. I am very proud of him and his dedication to gardening!!! He may turn into a farm boy after all! Ella was excited about each ribbon that she won...even if it was just a participation ribbon. She and James each won several placing ribbons in the junior gardening category--they do a lot of gardening with Daddy! I even won a few blue ribbons with my flowers. It was a great day for everyone....especially James....see the pics below: Ella with one of her art projects--She was very excited to see that she won a ribbon!
James with his beautiful art, titled: Vikings Vs. Packers
James is the big winner at our house! Here Daddy is holding a happy boy(He was saying "Wooow!" as Mark was holding him) next to his Best of Show Corn. The trophy and purple ribbon in the display case are his, earned for his entry of field corn stalks.

Thanks to Grandpa Jim for the corn!!

It really is fun to watch the kids get excited about winning a ribbon. I loved the fair growing up...I still do... It is very fun watching my kids find the same joy and fun at the fair!

Fair Week

It is County Fair week for our family. The fair began yesterday and each member of our family has entered a few things. We always make sure that Ella and James take a drawing or painting to exhibit. And, Mark helps them enter vegetables in the junior gardening category. Yesterday was a busy day as it was entry day for all of the gardening items that Mark brought and I was in charge of staffing the "All-you-can drink" milk booth. Tonight, we will go to the fair again to see if we won any ribbons for our efforts...and to eat more fair food!! We'll keep you posted!

Hay Ride

After the 4th of July, my brother, Greg, decided he wanted to host a few hayrides. He lives out in the country a bit and he had gathered quite a crew at his house. He brought over a tractor and hay wagon from the farm and we all piled on the wagon for a nice ride through the country. We actually went out for a ride on two different nights--perfect weather on both nights!!! These are pictures from the first night:Just as the hay ride is beginning...

Grandpa Jim and "the little guy"

Grandma Judy with her hands full of Trista and James

Riding off into the sunset

A Happy Ella!

Double Trouble: My brothers, Chuck and Greg My mom is always hoping to get a great picture of all of the grandkids for her Christmas card letter. This year, she decided to get an early start. Here is the best shot that I managed to get...yes, it looks like James is picking his nose! But really, it is a great picture, lots of smiling kids, it might be a keeper....

...because, the next picture that I took looked like this and the photo shoot was over!!!!

"I Was a Real Cowboy!"

Ella decided that she needed to ride a real horse a few weeks back. We called up Deb, my sister-in-law, and made arrangements for a horse ride at the farm. Ella was very excited to get on Fancy, a very gentle, once wild, adopted Mustang who is now close to twenty years old. Ella rode around in a small circle about two times before she decided to be done. Her ride was so quick, I really didn't get any great pictures. After she was back on solid ground, she announced that she was, "A real Cowboy!"

Before the ride...
Hanging on tight....
About ready for the ride to be over!

Mark's Garden

Mark took this picture of his beloved garden at the very beginning of the month. Now, things in his garden have grown quite a bit and we have been enjoying some fresh produce. Mark will attempt to win some ribbons again this year at our county fair. Wish him luck!

This pic shows from L to R in the forefront: Mark's potatoes and sweetcorn. In the background are onions, my mom, lettuce, beans, peas, carrots, summer squash, cucumbers, his scarecrow lady, peppers and tomatoes. Nice work, Mark!!!

Lake Kabetogama

It is safe to say that I am quite behind on posting pictures from our adventures this summer. This post should have followed shortly after the posting about Duluth. After spending the night in Duluth, our family continued further up north to stay with Mark's parents for a couple of nights at their place near Lake Kabetogama. We attempted to fish, but didn't catch any. Ella enjoyed all of our efforts--James not so much. He traveled well, but he was definitely not a fan of his life vest. The vest, while appropriately sized, did not fit him well at all and made him quite unhappy. He couldn't bend over in it and it was even hard for us to hold him without it riding up and pinching his ears. We felt so bad for him and I don't think we caught many smiles from him while he was wearing it. Below you will find various pictures that capture our time at the lake. Grandma and Grandpa O. are in a few of the pictures. Ella especially enjoyed spending the night at their house by the lake. Enjoy the pics!

Fireworks and Family Fun

We enjoyed our usual tradition for the 4th of July Fireworks. For the past five or so years we have spent our beautiful July 4th evenings hanging out with our friends Josh and Lisa. Before we each had kids, we would claim some turf, picnic, enjoy a water ski show and then pass the hours until dusk playing cards, games, or listening to music. Now, with four kids between us, we enjoy a noisy, messier picnic and get our exercise keeping the kids entertained until dark. So, our tradition has evolved a bit....but it still makes for a great evening! Hanging out after our picnic...notice that James is a blur....he just doesn't sit or stand still!
Lisa, Josh, Aiden & Kiera
Our Family
A rare group shot: This picture was taken with a self-timer...for some reason Ella really enjoys "when the camera takes a picture all by itself" She always has a big smile for self-timer photos...
A neat pic I took of the fireworks...Happy July 4th Everyone!!!!

July 4th Kiddie Parade

Ella and James were in a kiddie parade on Wednesday morning. Here are a few pics from the event: The festive parade participants!

James checking everything out.

Hanging with Grandma and Grandpa before the parade began.

The parade in motion! Ella was very excited to throw out candy to people.

July 4th Family Photo!