Weekend Recap

For the first time is as long as I can recall we had a normal, not pouring rain, not blazing hot summer weekend! Glorious! Here is a recap for you... On Saturday we celebrated little Cousin L's first birthday. From the looks of Grandpa and Grandma's driveway you would have thought we were having some kind of silver car party.

Bennett and Ainsley LOVE to spend time with their cousins. Bennett read Cousin S, the only little boy in the family, a book or two.

No party is complete without a Gator ride. This was quite a load, too. We had Dad driving, Great-Grandma E. in the passenger seat, four out of five cousins and me in the back. It was cramped, but we hade a great time!

Bennett and Ainsley were "helpful" when it came time for L. to open her birthday gifts.

What a sweet baby girl! She loved this little lamb she got from Great Aunt B.

On to Sunday. It was a beautiful day! Grandpa L. and Grandma L. stopped by before we headed to their house for a campfire. The girls rode home with them in their convertible, and it was Cardboard Brian's lucky day! He experienced his first convertible ride EVER! That man just hasn't lived! He's living now!

While we waited for our campfire food to cook, Grandpa and Bennett snacked on one of their favorite things...summer sausage. Way to spoil your appetite, you two!

The neighbor horses came to the fence for a visit. Ainsley was so happy and she fed them some grass.

Picnicing by the fire with Grandpa and Grandma! We LOVE this part of summer!

Scheels All-Sports Comes to Bennett's Dollhouse!

I was in Bennett's room this morning. I glanced over to see that there is a lot going down in her dollhouse these days! Many of you know that Bennett's dollhouse is a happening place. It really isn't for dolls. It is for everything else. For most of the summer, her dollhouse has been a science lab. No longer! It has now been deemed a museum featuring a rooftop cafe, a climbing wall and more. Oh, so much more! In the above photo, you can see the climbing wall and the cafe. It looks like Giraffe and Glitzy Reindeer have made it to the top of the wall! They will celebrate by joining their friends, the Earless Bunnies, for coffee drinks in the cafe behind them. I hear the Americano is excellent!

Inside the house, the museum is awe-inspiring. This is the "Fragile Room." Little kids in pajamas are checking out the Hear-No/See-No/Speak-No Evil Cats and the tipsy camels. The Asian man is intriguing as well.

Here is the other wing of the "Fragile Room." I see a penguin snoozing in the back, so this is obviously the more boring of the exhibits. Asian Man's Wife really likes it though.

Here we have the "Bird Room." Again, not much excitement other than the owl quartet in the corner. They perform on the hour.

And now, what museum-goers everywhere have been waiting for...a museum that boasts a "Scheels All-Sports Room!!!!" Here, sports fans and those who enjoy an active lifestyle can see many California Raisins and their athletic equipment. There is even a giant (sort of) tree in the middle of the room...just like Scheels! Oopsy Bear loves this room. Why is he holding a baby bottle? I have no idea. Let's move on...

On the lower level of the museum you will find the "Random Band Room." More raisins...the museum loves to employ the raisin population...providing free, live entertainment. This museum is a hot spot for celebrities because of the night life offered in the Random Band Room. The Shrek Donkey and his entourage are hanging there right now! Autographs all around!

And finally, a side view of the rooftop cafe. There is a lovely patio area where the horses are waiting for the museum's nightly fireworks display to begin. The museum also offers advertising opportunities. The current billboard is advertising one of Hy-Vee's finest employees, Chuck Fleener. Contact Chuck for all your shelf-stocking needs!

The Fair!

Recently we enjoyed time at the local fair! This is something we look forward to every year. Uncle C. LOVES fair food, so we ran into him, along with Aunt K. and Cousin S. at the fair. The kids all look so serious, but they really were enjoying themselves.

The girls entered some pieces of art into the open class junior arts show this year. It was a lot of fun for them to create things and receive ribbons for them! They also earned money for their first place finishes. Bennett walked away with two blue ribbons and a "Best In Show" purple ribbon. Ainsley received two blue ribbons, a purple "Best In Show" and a purple "Judge's Choice" ribbon. Here she is with her prize-winning painting she titled, "Outdoor Quilt."

Above, Bennett stands with an oil pastels piece she made.

The Pro-Life supporters had a booth at the fair. They gave each girl a little, rubber 12-week-old fetus. These babies are now prized possessions. I had to "babysit" them while the girls rode a carnival ride. Bennett made me keep them in my pocket with their heads sticking out so that they would be able to breathe. It was kind of creepy looking.

Riding a carnival ride...

We went to the fair a second time with Cousin M. The girls were able to pet several farm animals on that trip.

What a sweet calf!

Two little cousins, waiting patiently for a puppet show to begin...

...and finally, the girls participated in some contests. Here is Bennett, competing in a cookie-stacking contest. We had a great time at the fair!

Vacation!

We did some traveling for a family event, and we decided to make a mini vacation out of it! Here are some photos from out trip to the Twin Cities. We saw a few interesting things as we traveled. This camper was one of our favorites.

The first thing we did when we arrived in the Twin Cities was to play at "Chutes and Ladders" park, a playground in the Hyland Lake Reserve. It was HUGE!!! This is only a portion of it.

Ainsley should be a pirate. She is very good at net climbing.

Our next stop was for Dad...REI. Boring for the little girls, or maybe not! They had a play area for kids!

Mom got visit IKEA. She has never been so happy! Thankfully, they also had multiple areas to keep the kids happy. As you can see, this was a popular spot for many.

We visiting St. Paul, the famous Mickey's Diner (not pictured...I forgot to upload the cool photos) and the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Bennett and Ainsley loved the zoo, and they also loved Como Town, a small amusement park adjacent to the zoo. Ainsley's favorite ride was the dragon rollercoaster!

Bennett's favorite ride was the Como Driving School. She even received a paper driver's license after completing the course!

Here is a picture of the girls getting ready to take off on the swings. The little girl behind them could not get her seatbelt fastened, and Bennett and Ainsley were VERY concerned. Can you tell?

We wrapped up our day at the zoo by heading to the MOA for dinner at the Rainforest Cafe.

Father and daughter...how sweet!

Ainsley enjoyed the animated creatures at the Rainforest Cafe, especially the alligator!

We enjoyed many things about the MOA. Legoland was a jaw-dropper for Bennett.

Mom, Bennett and Woody at Legoland...

And a dream came true when we visited the American Girl store at the MOA. Here is Bennett posing beneath the very pricey AG treehouse. You need to take out a loan if you want to purchase this thing!

Ainsley used her spending money to help buy herself a Bitty Baby! Ainsley and a baby doll. Who would ever guess?!

We were so glad to visit friends while we were in the Twin Cities. The girls had a great time, as did Mom and Dad! Here are the kids, chatting it up over dinner. They look so serious!

After our time in Minnesota, we headed to a July Fourth celebration that included special honors for a family member! It was a super rainy day, so we spent most of it indoors at a family friend's house. There was plenty of entertainment there, especially when another family brought their puppies over for a visit. The pups LOVED Ainsley...maybe a little too much!

Here is Bennett, serving as an ottoman for Dad, Aunt C., Aunt J. and Uncle B.

As part of the celebration, we got to ride in a parade! Here are Ainsley, Grandma L. and Cousin M. trying to stay dry.

Who knew riding in a rainy parade could be so much fun! We were thrilled to have been part of the celebration!

Photo Hodge-Podge

More randomness, from our family to yours! Bennett is participating in summer day camp where she is able to do several crafts. One of them is scrapbooking, and she has chosen to scrapbook photos of her Webkinz. Here they are. Do not show this photo to her allergist! He would freak if he saw all these stuffed animals!

The girls attended an area VBS with Cousin M. last week. All three had a great time at the VBS Hoedown that wrapped up the week. Here are Ainsley and Cousin M. hangin' out at the ranch.

The girls enjoyed seeing chickens, donkies, peacocks, horses, a skunk and more while at the ranch!

Ainsley and M. really liked this goat. The goat was very much indifferent toward them though. I don't think he moved a muscle the entire time they were petting him.

Back home...Over the weekend Dad did what dads do best. He trashed the playroom in order to make a "fort" for the girls. They are still playing in it days later.

On Sunday, Ainsley was recruited by church staff to help hand out bulletins. She was delighted to help, and she did a wonderful job!

We rounded out the weekend with a visit to Grandpa and Grandma's house. The visit included an episode of one of the girls' favority shows, Hee Haw!!!! Oh, dear.