State Fair

The girls made their first trip to the Great Minnesota Get Together and had a fun time.  We had perfect weather and biked over for the morning and early afternoon.  They enjoyed the animals, the music, the food, the games, the crafts, rides, and performers.  While there were a couple of tears here and there, overall it was a glorious day.

Oh sweet Martha    ----    Making vegetable race cars

Lost in the glass house     -----     Slip sliding away

A break for dad   ----   Crooked, squinty selfie

the days are just packed

With summer drawing to a close, we are filling our days to the gills.  We had a lovely visit from Nana and Papa, celebrated Maggie's 4th birthday, went to the Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival, and Mickey's Diner.  At the diner, the girls were excited about the mini juke box and we sang snippets from all the songs they knew.  This coincides well with the fact that the girls read a Fancy Nancy book in which the character listens to The Coasters' "Poison Ivy" and so, naturally, we have started listening to that oldie as well.

Their names in Japanese  --   She wanted a picture in a Korean kimono from the Olson's

Getting hit by the train  --  Pip said "chugga-chugga-choo-choo" for 15 mins. straight

Ben and the girls were biking everywhere as Kara was car shopping.  Nina rode to the library, zoo,  and pool, putting in over 15 miles in a couple of days.  The last trip she got a bit tired, so Pip rode her bike the last 10 blocks.  They can be pretty sweet sisters.  The other day, Pip observed: "Mom, Nina is pretty tall; do you think she's actually seven?"  Pip is also into snapping her fingers, which is funny to see while she is carrying on with one of her crazy stories.

biking all over    ----   rockin' Cassie's old shirt

Pip can back float for 30 sec   -----   chasing rainbows

Battle Lake

Our last vacation before summer ends was a great one.  There was fishing, bowling, swimming, kayaking, paddle-boarding, golfing, finding old treasures, campfires, and Pip's favorite: cleaning fish.  Nina and Pip were good sports throughout and had tons of fun.  Ben and Kara also enjoyed R & R as they had a lot of help watching the kids and got away to golf with Grandpa Don a couple times.  

campfire s'mores      ------     pulling Grandpa around

 Rod had a helper in Pip         ------         wonderful cousin time!

 

Fun in the sun - we love summer