State Fair

Here we are at the Minnesota State Fair at the end of August 2008. As you can see below, Ellie is still not a big fan of animals. Both girls love rides though and were very disappointed that they were not tall enough for most of the "cool" rides (as they called them).

...

...

Ellie was a little tired on the way home and fell asleep with her happy meal box on her head. How or why, I do not know, but it was hilarious! Her head bobbed for a full hour in the back seat! She even snuck her hand, carefully, up under the box to scratch her nose and then pushed the box back down to make sure it didn't fall off! We have a video of it below, but it may be too dark, we'll see!

...

Playing Outside

. Here is our backyard swingset that Evan constructed with really tall swings for the girls (including me!). Ellie and Lana had two of their friends over to play who are about the same age. Ellie and Joslyn are doing what they call the spider because there are so many arms and legs sticking off the swing. Alexis and Alyse are sharing some swinging time as well. My friend Jessamine is holding Justin (her third child) who is only 3 wks older than Alyse.

...

...

This is Alyse's new trick. You can see that she is absolutely delighted that she can remove her diaper all by herself! Oh the joy of it.

...

...

She also found a plant to tip over and play with/eat the dirt. She is so proud of her accomplishments as you can see by the expression on her face. Look what I did mom!!!

...

...

We're going to the fair soon, so stay tuned!

Oregon

I returned to OR when my mom passed away on July 23, 2008. I was there with just my sisters and my dad at first. We all dealt with it as well as could be expected (and in a way that my mom would have liked). We enjoyed one another and our time together. We took a rafting trip as you can see below. We also went to get a spa treatment (fancy massages). We felt closer than we have in a long time. My mom brought us all together yet again!

...

...

Evan arrived with Alyse for much needed support during the burial and memorial. We also took one of the first swims in the Koi pond! Alyse wasn't so sure about the lack of movement allowed on an air mattress.

...

...

It was a hard trip, but a good one under the circumstances.

Cabin Time!

Back at the cabin in early July 2008 we went fishing with Matt and Carla and their kids who really love to fish.

...

...

We love being out on the pontoon. Lana and Ellie swim alone and jump off the boat (with life jackets of course) and Alyse goes out with Evan and I. Lana wants to learn to drive the boat!

...

...

Grandpa gets teased quite often but tolerates it well!

...

...

Catch ya later!