Saving Nature



Mr. Hopper's head peaking out of Seth's hand.



While walking down the isles at Target, Sam let go of my hand and drifted behind me. Seth I and continued down the isle when I heard a screech and turned around to see Sam yelling for Seth.

What on Earth! Sam found a grasshopper that she thought was fake. Went to grab it and it jumped. Seth captured the Mr. Hopper and insisted on carrying him through the store until we were able to safely let him go outside in the grass.

He went to show the cashier and Mr. Hopper soared high into the air. After being recaptured, he was reintroduced into the wild. Go little one!



Posing next to Mr. Hopper. Can you see him?





A Night at the Great Minnesota Get Together

Yesterday Nick and I went to the MN State Fair with our friends Amanda Hackman and her boyfriend Sean Johnson to see Country Singers Eric Church and Toby Keith. The fair is packed with people no matter when you go and you're always guaranteed a few double takes at people as they walk past you. Sometimes I wonder if people dress up in costumes to come to the fair. Maybe it is just their style. Who am I to judge them. It is just fascinating to see how people are so different, and how so many are the same.

We not only go to the fair to check out the stands and events, but we also go to EAT!

Sweet Corn x2

The Original Cheese Curds

Corn Dog

Deep Fried Candy Bar

Italian Ice

Sunnies in a Boat

Chicken Fried Bacon

Sweet Martha's Cookies

Luigi's Fries (bite from Amanda)

Deep Fried Mac & Cheese (bite from Amanda)

Lots of Water and a few Ice Teas.

This was consumed within the one and a half hours before the concert started. A few were picked up on our way out of the fair afterwards (Cookies & Deep Fried Candy Bar).

The concert was pretty good. I've seen Toby Keith in concert four or five times now. We sat center stage about half way up the grand stands. It was just close enough. My stomach was movin' as Bean danced around inside me. I sat the whole time and had my jacket over my stomach. I was worried that it was too loud for Bean and possibly hurting him/her. I just read on BabyCenter.com that outside noise is actually amplified within the womb verses being muffled. If our baby has hearing troubles, I'm going to blame Toby and Eric for putting on such a loud concert! (Well, fine, myself). Nick sat beside me with his arm around me the entire concert. I miss seeing him in his cowboy hat, and he misses wearing it. I think he is far past needing a new less deformed one.

Family

I have been collecting Demdaco Willow Tree figurines since Seth was born and have somewhere around 30 figurines at this time. They are scattered around the dining room in groupings of family, self awareness, children and marriage.

While sitting at dinner I noticed that two figurines were moved closer to the one that Nick bought for Sam as a wedding gift. (a dad and daughter sitting close to one another). Seth or Sam had moved my little Seth holding my heart and the woman holding a rose next to the father and daugther to signify our family. It made me smile, and I don't plan on changing it back.

Seth ~ Nick ~ Samantha ~ Lori

Heart of Gold - You will always have my heart

Father & Daughter: Celebrating the bond of love between fathers and daughters

Love: Everlasting and true (woman with rose)

I want one!

Seth was consumed by the fish tank at the doctors office. He would run from one side to the other in hopes of getting a close up of the big fish in there. Unfortunatley, it would quick hide in some large rocks whenever Seth came near.

There was a little girl on the other side about Seth's age who kept peeking up at him and waving. I told him that I think she likes him. He smiled and blushed a little.

What made the fish tank even more awesome was that while he was watching the fish, a scoop of food was automatically released from the top. "I want one of these in my room. Please - Please?!"

If only we could afford one of those buddy! The last fish tank we had was always needing to be cleaned and the fish never lived long. I'm sure it didn't help that the kids were feeding them people food. They were pretty good at sharing their toys with our old fish too. I'd find matchbox cars and other miscellaneous toys at the bottom or floating about.

Chicky's Farm

Randolph Child Care and the Kindergarten classes are brought on a field trip to Square Deal Dairy Farm just north of the school. We also pass this farm on our way to and from Nick's parent's house. They are taught how to make butter and are given a tour of the entire farm, including the milking parlor. They have been there three times I believe, and can never wait to go back!

Everytime it is in view of us it is a given that we hear "There's Chicky's Farm" from either Seth or Sam. It sometimes seems to be a contest as to who says it first.

Chicky and her husband own the dairy farm, but do not live there. They live at another farm off of Hwy 56 just outside of town. That is where the baby calves stay until they are big enough to move to the dairy farm.

The tractor is just getting back from spreading manure on a newby field.

Hockey Sounds Fun

This weekend I worked another hockey tournament at Braemar Ice Arena off of 169 and Valley View Road. I have such a good friend, who will sit all day with me working the box. Well, thanks in part to the pay. I write down the details of the goals and penatlies, as well as announce them. I also have to open the penalty box doors for the players coming in and going out. Melanie runs the scoreboard and has the nerve racking job of "Did I start/stop the clock, Phew!" We did a total of 10 games over the course of Saturday and Sunday. Thankfully, the days went by fast. A few painful games of 16-1, 12-0, 10-0 and a few games that had me at the edge of my seat.

Sunday Nick brought the kids up to the rink and kidnapped Melanie's boyfriend Dan (Nick's good friend) and brought him up too. Since today is Sunday and I would be at the rink until 5:30pm, I wouldn't be able to give my babies hugs and kisses before they spend the week with their dad.

Sam asked if she could announce one of the players names, which I would have loved to let her. Just wasn't sure if the parents and coaches would appreciate it. Plus I'd like to be invited back for future tournaments. Seth wanted to push the buzzer, but we missed that opportunity. They hung out in the penatly box for a while before I sent them to the floor above us, which looks down right behind us.

Sam looked at me and said that hockey sounds fun. What do you mean sounds fun? Announcing? the noices?
No - playing hockey sounds fun.
Ahh - yes it is a fun sport and one of the most expensive sports to play.

If I give you kisses can I?

Another day of playing in the sprinker. Someone forgot her towel inside and wanted to come in.

If I give you kisses can I come inside?

Umm... I'll take the kiss, but not the wet floors!