Happy Birthday to Me!!

It is time for me to get my birthday pictures up on the blog.... Really, I am more excited to post Mark's birthday pictures but since my birthday was first....here you go!! My birthday was near the beginning of the month and Ella was very excited to help us celebrate my birthday and "our" anniversary which was the day before. Ella was quite cute going around telling everyone it was "our" anniversary of being married....as if she were there eight years ago! We are sure glad she is here now! Anyway, back to the birthday... I was treated to a nice family dinner out and Mark gave me a gift card at my favorite spa. Now I just need to schedule a time to use it! James gave me an "I heart Mom" shirt that he can wear and Ella presented me with a jewelry box that we can decorate together. It was a very nice day! Below is a self timer picture of our family prior enjoying birthday cake. Actually, if you look close, James already had begun to enjoy the cake by sticking his fingers in it... : )

A picture of one of the roses Mark gave me for our anniversary. He also added a beautiful aquamarine and diamond pendant and chain to my jewelry collection! Thank you to my sweetie!!

Fishing!!!

We were lucky enough to spend a morning fishing out on Rick's boat on Lake Zumbro earlier this month. Everyone had the thrill of reeling in a few fish. James enjoyed his new life vest a bit more than his previous vest so fishing was more pleasant. Ella and daddy caught several fish each. Mark's big catch was a pretty good sized catfish...he broke his pole reeling it in!

The Ribbon Stats!

We are all feeling a little under the weather here. I think this is the first time that all four of us have been hit with a bug at the same time-- it is not fun. We all have a bad summer cold that doesn't want to go away and this gloomy weather doesn't help!!


I never finished making our fair posts and I don't want to keep you waiting any longer!! I am sure the suspense is eating away at some of you! ; ) Here are all of our ribbons:






As a family we won 15 1st place ribbons, 8 second place ribbons, and 7 third place ribbons. We also earned 7 participation ribbons and 1 Best of Show ribbon and plaque.

Mark won many of the ribbons with his garden produce. Right after the fair, we enjoyed many excellent meals of sweetcorn from Mark's garden. Now because of all the rain, his garden is a big mud pit and our veggie supply at home is diminishing....hope we get some sunshine soon!

More Bo Peep!

Here is another picture of our Little Bo Peep. I had fun altering this picture with a new photoshop program.

Little Bo Peep and Her Lost Sheep

At the county fair there is a dress the animal contest. The contest is more in the "for fun" division where kids dress themselves and their baby animal with a theme. This is the third year that Ella has participated and each year she has done very well in the contest. This year, Ella showed a two month old calf named Rock Star. Rock Star was really brought to the fair by my niece for the Dairy Show so it was great that we could borrow her for the dress the animal contest.

For contest this year Isabella dressed as Little Bo Peep and her calf became a sheep. Ella was very excited for the contest....she'd been waiting for it to be, "Friday so I can show my calf!" all week. James also participated for the first time this year. He played the role of another lost sheep. This worked out quite well as James became "lost" during the contest as he ran away from Daddy, Bo Peep, and the other "lamb" to find Mommy. He was not too impressed with his lamb costume...the fact that the contest started an hour late and it was bedtime didn't help either... Nonetheless, James contributed to Ella's 1st place Award. We are very proud of both kids. And, I'm extra proud of Mark for handling Rock Star--she was a frisky calf and gave him a good work out... Mark says she'd be a good rodeo calf!

Rock Star as a "Sheep"

James hanging out with Grandpa Jim before for the contest.

Bo Peep and two sheep with Mark in the show ring.

A "Sheep" becoming lost!

Ella smiling happily as she is given a certificate and announced the winner!

Bo Peep and her cousin , Trenton, walking off into the sunset in search of a sweet reward: cotton candy!

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!