state fair: video

I couldn't resist putting up the video of Nathan & Ella on the whale ride. I love the precious squeals! Though I realize that it doesn't fully capture the experience. The constant buzzing is the horns on the ride-which Nathan got full use of!

state fair::2009

What else signals the end of summer like the Minnesota State Fair?!

(I realize this blog is a little over-due.)

Thompsons on a stick:

A big highlight was the "Miracle of Birth" Barn, a barn filled with expecting livestock mommas and recently born babies. Nathan especially enjoyed the baby chicks and ducks. He even got to watch a chick hatch out of an egg! Our animal lover Ella liked all the animals in the barn and couldn't get enough of the little babies. Here she is with a piglet that is 1-day old.

We walked through some 4-H barns later that day, but Nathan decisively declared: "Mom, you only need to look at one sheep." I guess if you've seen one, you've seen them all!

Of the buildings and booths we walked through, one favorite was that of the MN Twins. Nathan and Ella both got to throw a few pitches and catch a glimplse of hall-of-famer, Tony Oliva. They are such good little Twin's fans! (Nathan can name 4 players: Joe Mauer, Joe Nathan, Justin Morneau, and Denard Span).

And of course, what fun would the fair be without a stop at Kidway. Nathan chose a whale ride to go on that went around in circles and up and down like a whale swimming in the water. Ella even got to ride, though she just barely made the height requirement. Once on, I was a little nervous that she was too little, but my fears were alleviated once it started and I saw how much fun she was having. Ella would shriek in delight like we've never heard before as she rode around in circles. Matt and I couldn't help but laugh out loud as we watched them ride-it was definitely worth the ticket price!

Can you tell they liked it?!

Nathan, being the big boy he is, also got to ride on the motorcyles. This was primarily enjoyable because they had a horn!

We had a lovely day at the "Great Minnesota Get-Together"!

For Ella, it also had the perfect end.

Nathan

Our little thinker; you are wise beyond your years. If only we could see the world as you do and appreciate all the little things. "Why do tigers roar?" "Why do monkeys hang on trees?" "Why does the moon come out at night?" Why? Why? Why? You are always asking the important questions! Though your energy may challenge us, we love you very much and thank God for making you uniquely you. Thank you for your laughter and excitement for life!

The Minnesota Moo...I mean Zoo.

The joys of the public library system. Not only did we get a free pass to Fort Snelling, but we were also able to score a pass to the Minnesota Zoo. Finding one of these available is similar to winning the lottery, so needless to say we snatched it up without hesitation. The morning we went was a little rainy, so we enjoyed all the inside activity first, which really could have been enough. However, by noon it was a beautfiul day and we were able to go check out the animals outdoors as well. We saw animals from all over the world (their lastest exhibit is "Africa"), but ironically we spent most of our time at the "Family Farm". This was definitely a favorite for the kids, and for Matt and I as well-though the prairie dogs were popular too.

I believe this cow's name is "Charlotte".

Nathan's favorite was the goats. Though he's usually our "shy" one around animals, he took to brushing the goats right away. Though it should be noted that he started out with his arm fully extended as not to get too close, he eventually got even more into it.

Ella, our animal lover, was not as confident around the goats. Though I see why since many were taller than her and fairly aggresive about coming up to people. She did like to pet them when in the security of someone else's arms though.


Here's Nathan petting another goat with a friend. He honestly would have stayed in this area all day...I think I smell a future 4-H project! Now we have to talk Papa in to buying Nathan a goat:)

Nathan petting a baby chick in the hen house. He really was delightful and enjoying all of the animals on the farm. It was a great experience for him and the whole family.

Again, Nathan loves to pose in these cut-outs. I think he makes a great chicken!

And here's our little egg waiting to hatch-she ovbiously finds the cut-outs enjoyable as well:)

Boat Ride.

Ella got a chance to experience her very first boat ride recently-and what a ride it was. We were invited by our friends Jason and Tressa Cramer for dinner at their home followed by a boat ride on a pontoon. They are great friends and their boys are both great friends of Nathan's. Rumor even has it that their younger son, Martin, has a little crush on Ella:)
It was a beautiful boat and an even more beautiful evening, it honestly could not have been more enjoyable! Ella was not sure what to think about her life jacket. She never fussed, I think because we convinced her that she looked "pretty", but she was definitely not looking comfortable!

Here's Nathan with his friend Henry (3), Jason & Tressa's first born.
Watching the waves...

Another example of Ella's uncomfortable look, I couldn't help but laugh at her the whole ride, poor girl.

family shot:

Here's a group shot of the boys & Ella while we were going "fast" in the pontoon boat. From left to right: Henry, Nathan, Ella, Matt, Jason, & Martin (2).

The boys driving the boat with "the Admiral", Mr. Anderson (the owner of the boat).

ft. snelling.

In early August we took advantage of a free library pass and enjoyed a beautiful day at Fort Snelling. The kids didn't really appreicate the historical aspect (in fact, Nathan thought the blacksmith was "scary" and refused to watch a demonstration on how they made nails). But, they still enjoyed walking around the fort and touring all the different houses and buildings on the grounds.

fort snelling:

Because all small children should play on cannons, right?

I'm not even sure what Nathan is suppose to be here, but he thought it was funny:)

We're back!

Sooo, it's been a while since I've updated on our family, which I guess is just more evidence of our crazy little life. Matt has had 2 positive job interviews that have fallen through, and with that we've decided that it's time for us to be proactive and seek if God has perhaps something else planned. Therefore, we've decided to put our house on the market and move back to SoDak where Matt can begin taking graduate courses in the Spring 2010 semester. The past week or 2 we've been busy getting the house "show-ready" Not to mention I've been busy working 25-35 hours a week on the salesfloor at Super Target to help make ends meet, at least until the baby comes. Matt has also been given a temporary position with his former employer, Braun Intertec, as a flagger on their construction crew. We have both been humbled by our current situations, but we praise God for the ways He provides and the new witnessing opportunities with those we now work with. God is good-He gives and He takes away! We are amazed at His grace, the rich blessings He's bestowed on us, and the ways he has generously blessed us through others in the church. What a rich, beautiful, messy, difficult time this has been...and what a Savior we have!
That being said, I'll do my best to catch up on the last couple of months...we've been having a lot of fun too!