Fall Fest 2010

Just sharing some pictures of our trip to Pinehaven in Wyoming, MN.  We met up with our good friends and even watched a pumpkin get shot out of a cannon!  Pictured here are:  Elsa, Vi, Lila, Maddy, and Henry.  Ashley and Jack were there too, but Ashley wasn't feeling her best so no pictures of her :( or of her baby brother Jack... he was asleep almost the whole time.  We had lots of fun!

We Love Marine on St. Croix

Last weekend my mom invited me and the kids to go explore a recreation camp of MN voyageurs from the 1700's.  So I packed up the kids and we drove to William O'Brien State Park.  We got there only to find out dear Grandma had the wrong weekend.  Oops!  Luckily the little town nearby, Marine on St. Croix, was having their annual Arts Festival so we still had lots of fun!  We looked at a lot of booths.  Grandma bought a rug and a necklace, Violet got a really cool pair of striped legwarmers. Henry was introduced to warm mini-doughnuts.  His life will never be the same.

The local fire department pulled their trucks out and opened up the station to explore.  Henry and Violet thought it was pretty cool.

Fast forward to today... we decided to give the Voyageur Camp another try... we made it!  Henry decided to stay home with Dad to watch football, but the girls learned some really interesting things at the camp.  Here Violet is learning the difference between deer, elk, and moose hide moccasins.

We pet nearly every fur imaginable: skunk, buffalo, otter, mink...  I asked Violet to guess what animal the muskrat fur came from and after careful consideration she answered " a cat".  It got a few laughs from those nearby.  Well, she was kinda close anyway.

A nice voyageur dude taught me how to throw a hatchet into a giant tree cookie!  It was so fun - I totally nailed it!

Here's Grandma Judester in mid throw - Go Grandma!

 Lake Alice

I'd like to go back in a week or two - the colors will be crazy!

Vi was watching tons of tiny fish swimming around/under this dock.

Gramma and Vi - so sweet!

We always stop at this little ice cream shop in town.  I suggest you do the same if you are ever in the area.  I'm not sure the name, just look for the giant pink ice cream cone on the side of the building.

Violet did not drip one drop, I kid you not.  She's an ice cream eating expert like her mama.

Until next time!

Franconia or Bust

So we've lived by this free, open to the public 365 days a year, sculpture park for years and years.  The problem is we had never gone - maybe we take for granted the things that are so close by...  Anyway, a few weekends ago while the husbands were out trailing moose, my sister-in-law and I took the kids to check it out.  It was COOL! 

Eli, Jada, Violet, and Henry - Big Pinecone/Little Pinecone, yeah you get it.

I wish... I wish...

This sweet playhouse gives PeeWee's a run for the money.  It even had swings in the middle!

Henry looks most excellent!  Rock on children!

Cousin Zoie let the little kids push her around - such a good sport being in 7th grade and all.  She's got pretty cute socks too!

My sweetness - I like this one.

Kid trap!  Brandi and I should have made a run for it.

Above: Fun-kay little shack!   Below: Vi standing by her age 3.  Henry standing by his age 5.  Then I looked at these pics and noticed our dear Daddy's age 35!  So, this one's for you Daddy.  We'll bring you next time.  Promise.

Enough Already!

OK - It's been long enough.. I'm sick of checking my dear husband's blog only to see my big ol' mug staring back at me so I'm taking over!  It seems like a good idea especially since I've become a stay at home mom for the time being, and have a little more time than he does.  I know the blog will lack the humor and insight that only dear husband can provide but hey, you get what you get and perhaps if we're lucky he'll make some guest blog appearances of some sort...

I'm keeping it short and sweet with lots of pictures so Grandma D. can check up on the kiddies.  She's 90 and just signed up on facebook, likes to stay in the loop you know.   We only get to see her a couple of times a year but sure wish we could see her more... 
Here's some photos from last summer that led up to our current new addition at home... and a few more cute ones just because... Catch up and enjoy~  Cheers!  Julie

Here is Cousin Larry hanging out with Henry at the Hays cabin.  I think this is what really pushed the family into *thinking* about getting a new dog.

                        

                          Violet, Larry, and Henry basking in the summer sun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back at home, Henry proves he knows how to take care of a new puppy.  Kinda cute, kinda gross buddy.

And finally after months of looking at online ads, etc. this little guy practically came to us.  We bid on him (sight unseen) over the phone during a Ducks Unlimited banquet that we were not even at.  It was really exciting!  He's a little bigger than we expected (12 wks.) but we figured that was just a little more training he's probably had.  Can't you tell?!

We've named him Max and he's blending right in with our family!  He basically sleeps through the night in his kennel w/o whining or barking and is doing pretty good at potty training too.  Dear husband also has him retrieving already!  He's going to be a good hunting dog and a great addition to the family.  It's hard to believe that we could have this dog until Henry is driving!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Violet started dance classes with Miss Sue (Grandma Sue!) last week.  She's a year older and really thinks she's got it goin' on!  She comes home singing "All the Single Ladies" and what not. 

I think this is a position in dance - although it reminds me of "Can you pat your head and rub your tummy at the same time?"  Either way it's pretty darn cute.

She got a couple of these sweet flower headbands at Claire's with her cousin Jada.  I secretly wish I could wear them without looking like a fool.

I love when the kids play together!  It's kinda rare.  But when they do - watch out!  Here they are scuba divers with snorkel masks and breathing tubes.  The necklaces are air tubes or something... The hamster?  Well, that's because Henry basically carries some sort of stuffed animal wherever he goes.   I love when they get creative like that!

Hamster.  Represent.