Washington County Fair

The kids, myself, and Careline's sweet friend Ella went to the Washington County Fair today.  It's hard to believe that it's already Fair time...and even harder to believe that it will be August 1st already tomorrow!  Where do our Summers go?!

Mmm...mini donuts...Adeline's favorite!

Careline and Ella had fun riding high atop the camels back which is not something you get to do every day!

BINGO!!!  Careline got to yell out that magical word....and she won herself $5.

I wonder how many tank tops this vendor will sell during the fair....if you ask me, it doesn't seem to quite sit right.  Or is this a new fashion trend that I'm unfamiliar with?

Annie

Yesterday afternoon Grandma Ginger took Careline and Emily to the play Annie down in Hastings.  Sounds like everyone had a good time.

A Cousin's Sleepover

David and Krista went to a concert last night at Target Field so Dan-well (as Adeline calls her cousin Daniel) and Emily spent the night at our house.  It was fun to have them over for the night...the kids had a good time playing together.

Here's Adeline giving her Dan-well one last hug before he left.  She sure looks up to him and he just adores her.  So sweet!

No Cavities!

All three kids had a dentist appointment this morning and everyone got a good report.  Yeah!

Tie Dye T-Shirts

Careline really wanted to make a project last night so she and I took a trip to Michael's craft store and decided that we would give the fine art of tie dye a try.  She was obviously much more generous in her application of the dye than I was resulting in a bold colorful shirt for her and a cotton candy colored shirt for myself....but we are both happy with our final results and had a fun time together creating them...so that's all that matters.

"Helping" With The Laundry

Baseball Jamboree

Buddy played his final two baseball games of the season this morning.  Pat reminded me that this is the last year he'll be playing machine pitch ball as next Summer the boys will begin pitching.  He spent a couple innings today playing catcher (remember, he has to be ready to play for the Twins by the time Joe Mauer is ready to retire!) but also played at several other positions on the field.  He had an impressive last game of the year catching two fly balls in one inning, sliding in to second to beat the throw, and smacking an awesome hit in to the outfield to earn himself a triple.

Thank You Aunie and Daniel for coming to watch Braden play today.

What's Up Around Here These Days?

Champion!

Last night as part of the SSP Soccer Jamboree weekend Careline participated in a 3 vs 3 tournament.  The girls were randomly placed on one of 8 teams comprised of U9 and U10 players.  She and her teammates played really well together and earned the title of Jamboree 3 vs 3 Champs and this bright t-shirt.  She definitely pulled her weight on the team as she scored one goal in the second game and 2 of the 3 goals in the  championship 3 to nothing victory.

Keeping Mama's Spot Warm

I'm away again this week for work for a couple of nights.  Daddy sent me this sweet photo he took this morning of Adeline and Buddy keeping my spot in bed warm in my absence.

Soaking at the Splash Pool

Brad Carel Memorial Race at Canterbury

Family and friends alike gathered at Canterbury Park this past Saturday for the annual race honoring the memory of my Dad.  Thank You Krista for once again setting up this most fitting tribute for Dad.

Careline picked the winner of the race for Dad.  It was #2, Layover in Seattle.  I actually took the following photo of her holding her ticket before the race started.

A couple of races later I snapped this shot of Buddy holding his ticket for horse #16 which you can see in the background making it's way to the starting gate.  Sure enough it also won the race. I sensed the pattern that each time I took a photo of the ticket before the race it ended up to be a winning ticket, so the next race I took a picture of MY ticket, but no such luck.  At least the kids were winners and that made them happy.

And let's not forget about Adeline.  She was more in to the mini donuts and riding the escalator than watching the races...but I suppose that's what to be expected from a 3 year old.

Duluth

I've been up in Duluth working since Wednesday.  I brought my bike with me and since the weather has been absolutely gorgeous, each night after work I've taken long enjoyable bike rides along the shoreline of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee.

During my stay I've noticed that Duluth residents have a different sense of fashion than us Twin Cities folk.  Check out this gal in her maternity shirt and how about the fellow in the photo after that with his colorful extra sparkly attire accessorized right down to the murse (man purse, for those of you unfamiliar with the term).

Happy Friday!

Nearly Ripe For The Pickin'

The first grape tomatoes are just about ready to be plucked off the vine.  I see some Caprese Salad (a Summertime favorite) in my very near future.  Mmm Mmm Mmm

Cooling Down After A Hot Day

In Full Bloom

A Day Of Fun With Dad

Yesterday Pat treated each of the big kids to a half a day of fun.  We do lots of things together as a family, but these one on one times are also important.  Besides, 8 and 9 year old siblings tend to spend the majority of their day fighting with one another, so keeping them apart for the day gave everyone a break!

Careline spent her morning with Dad horseback riding.  She really had a good time and I'm sure will be begging to do it again sometime soon.  I'm not sure Pat will be ready to go back anytime soon as spending an hour on horseback didn't feel so good on his 42 year old bones.

In the afternoon it was Buddy's opportunity to get in on the fun.  He and Daddy went go-cart racing and played a round of mini golf.

4th of July Fun

Note to self:  A few bucks spent at The Dollar Store on glow jewelry makes for hours of cheap entertainment.

Happy 4th Of July