State Fair 2011

First, I apologize for not posting immediately about the first two days of the fair. I know my audience is all about instant gratification, and I feel I have let you all down. In my defense, I was extremely nauseous on Thursday night, having consumed more grease, fat, and sugar in one day than I had in almost a year. I didn't even eat that much, but I guess it was just too much for my now-cleansed system to handle. Since then I've been having computer issues. Hopefully it will work today.

So without further adieu, here are photos of Millie and crew on the first two days of the Great Minnesota Get Together.

First bite of the 2011 Fair: Zeppole. She handed it back to me after the first bite and requested Tiny Tim Donuts instead.

There was a science fair at Carousel Park where Millie got to add to a "City of the Future" display. She chose to create a bus, which slowly morphed into a flying bus. Hey, it's the future! 

Saving the planet. 

With Ian at the cow barn. Ain't he handsome?! They'll have beautiful babies some day. 

Sporting her Millie necklace.

With the boys watching the dog show. 

Ran into Eve. Bonus!

Shaved ice! Mmmm. 

 Who knew pretending to ride a John Deere would make her so happy?

DAY TWO

Fluffy bunny. 

You can fill the house with toys, but they still prefer to play with free balloons for an hour. 

Millie and David mesmorized by the bagpipes. 

Meeting author Deborah Frasier at Alphabet Forest, the coolest place at the fair if you have, or are, a child under ten.

Best use for a swimming noodle ever.

This was the first time I have ever had to pull her off a ride. Bad dinosauers. 

First experience with cotton candy. Loved it!

Watching the Armstrong (go Falcons!) marching band. 

There is nothing better than seeing a parade through a child's eyes. 

Drovi in awe. 

More farm equipment. It's not so much that she loves farming, it's more that I love being in Machinery Hill, where it's much quieter than the rest of the fair grounds. 

Besties watching a hip-hop show. Hit it!

Food blog posts starting next week. I promise. 

Summer fun with Yonatan

Last time our friends visited from Israel, it was the dead of winter and all they saw of Minnesota was the wall of snow on my parents' deck, and the Mall of America.

Fast forward six months, and we finally got to show off our beloved state in all her summery glory. This time we hit all the hot spots (get it?), like Teddy Bear Park in the always-impressive Stillwater, Highland Park Pool, and of course Como Town and Zoo. Add a few afternoons of running through the slip & slide in our front yard, and you've got a much friendlier Minnesota than they met in January.

Demonstrating the American method of bubble blowing. Yonatan is fascinated.

Oh Yonatan, you crack me up!

Millie's 14th photo on the Como Town train, Yonatan's first. 

Tea cups seem to impress girls more than boys. Go figure. 

No, polar bears are not native to Minnesota, but good question. 

Teddy Bear Park. 

Saying our final goodbye of the week in Stillwater. Sniff sniff. 

And five minutes out of Stillwater...

Grandparents' Camp

Last week, my amazing, brave in-laws had five of the cousins over to their house for a few days, no parents allowed. Millie got to create wonderful memories with her family, like fishing, swimming, museums, and lots of quality Barbie time with cousin Kate. It was hard to send her off, but I am so glad we did. She is already talking about the next "Grandparents' Camp."

A little goofy the first night.

Lunch on the deck. 

Creating their family flag, which then got placed, with much pomp and circumstance, on the island across the river from the house. 

Five little artists at work. Millie included the Israeli flag on her part, with help from her dad. 

Arriving at the island, snacks in hand. 

Ta da!

Watching bootleg DVDs that Grandpa brought back from China. 

At the Waverly pool. Four, ok, three out of five kids looking in the general direction on the camera isn't bad. 

Learning all about liquid nitrogen at the Imaginarium Museum in Waterloo.

Brave girl. 

You can do it Kate, go after the pink one. 

Inflating a hot air ballloon. 

Pretending to be a meteorologist. It's good to have a dream. What other job do you know that pays you to be wrong 80% of the time? 

Punch drunk tired, but happy. 

New friends

On the 4th of July, we were invited to a BBQ, where Millie met her new BFF Ben. Ben is six days younger than Millie, so she taught him the ropes on stickers, and he taught her a thing or two about berry picking. Here they are in all their cuteness.

Ever feel like you're being watched? 

Shhh, don't look now, but I think there is someone in the bushes. 

Ahh, it's just Colleen. Anyway, as I was saying about these stickers... 

Yeah, I'm pretty sure these are safe to eat. 

Tony takes yard games very seriously. 

Happy belated 4th of July

As we've done for the last couple of years, this 4th was celebrated at the St. Anthony Park "parade", which includes Dentist Paul, the boyscouts, two pre-schools, and approximately 30 citizens of the retirement home, all dressed up in their Sunday best and rolled down Como avenue in their wheelchairs with wool blankets on their laps.

After the parade ends, the crowd joins in and we all walk down to Langford Park for a picnic. It's all very Norman Rockwell, or Stepford Wives, depending on your mood.