August 22-23 - Valleyfair and State Fair

Big week...as summer is winding down we are finishing off our summer activities. We still had the 2nd set of Valleyfair tickets left from our July vacation, so Brent took Thursday off and we went to the park after Noah got back from summer band in the morning (had a week of band camp to jump start the beginning band experience). 

It turned out to be a nice weather day.  Humidity dropped from earlier in the week. Crowds were low too because it was the first day of the State Fair too. 

We were skipping the water park this time and just concentrated on fave rides or ones Noah had never tried before. 

We all had a good time and Noah tried a couple new ones like Looping Starship and RipTide that he had never done before. He even went solo on the ones that make us sick. Very adventurous. 

Prize:

I used to love this. Now Noah went solo...

Another solo for Noah, on the right side dangling in the water. Brave. 

Then the next day after work we hit the State Fair for a few hours in the evening for snacks, snooping and to get hammock chairs that we promised Noah last year we would get this year (and he did NOT forget that promise. ). 

It wasn't a long time there but enough to satisfy til next year. (Me and Noah love the Fair, Brent not always so much)

Farewell til next August, Mn State Fair. 

Newspaper museum in Heritage Square (last year in its current location)

Miracle of Birth barn:

Our Hammock Chairs we got:

Summer 2013 part 2

Summer is winding down. Though it has been different it has been a good one. Nice times with family and friends. Though routines will be good again we will miss the freedom that summer seems to have. Some picture highlights ...

Our critters on our street:

Baking:

Baxter begging as usual. ;)

Noah's new friend. (No he didn't come home with us)

Our new ride, a Dodge Dart

Noah's Saxophone for band camp week and 6th grade Band:

3 Amigos

To be continued...

2013 District Convention

We just got back from the District Convention in Rochester. The theme was "God's Word is Truth".  Three encouraging days of spiritual food and good association with family and friends. We had Bible Dramas, and demos and interviews and wonderful symposiums and some new releases. We had 43 baptized including some dear friends. 

Here are a few photo highlights. We also get a Circuit Overseer visit immediately following to continue the momentum. 

Noah and Ali at the hotel Thursday night when we arrived:

Jaklynn in her wedding dress:

Me and my Siamese:

Overview of the auditorium:

Interview of Claudia and Issac:

Two Noah's and Hunter:

Me and Connie...friends since we were 4:(her boys above)

Noah and Lance and Bryce at their pool burning off some energy:

Me and Noah getting ready to meet Brent at the auditorium on Saturday morning: 

We all 3 grew up together and got baptized on the same day 30 yrs ago this year. Kristine came down for the extra morning session just to see me and Connie and take a pic. Fun!

They had the D'Lorean out Saturday evening for pics and a huge inflatable screen playing Back To The Future later in the evening in Peace Plaza area. 

More swimming and pool time 

Noah and Gramma Kathy on Sunday:

Walking back to the hotel Sunday evening. We stayed an extra night. Look how tall Noah is getting!

Then on Monday instead of heading straight back to town we took some detours to where Brent's family grew up. We visited the little country cemetery where Brent's grandparents and great grandparents are buried. There were some really old headstones there too from the 1800's. interesting to see. 

Great grandparents:

Grandparents:

Then we went to Oxbow park to a cute little zoo:

After a late lunch at Panera it was time to head for home. See you in the fall Rochester area...

Back to reality... 

Oh yah. One more pic from first mtg back during (sub) CO visit ( Noah had the Bible Reading that night too). Megan and Nehemiah visiting still from the weekend. 

Timber!!

We have had a very large tree in our front yard since we moved in. Never loved it, but it was there. Messy, dropped branches and cottonwood type fluff. Always made us nervous in storms hoping a big branch wouldn't come down. But it was the tradition tree for back to school pics etc. 

Well, end of an era. 

Tree guys were in the area and we have been talking about taking it out. The timing all fell into place. Me and Noah dug out the rocks and bricks around it last Tuesday and the guys came and took it down. Cool to watch! Very professionally orchestrated. All kinds of equipment. 

Before, during and after. 

One final pic in front of the tree:

No more tree!