A Day at the Fair!

Yeah for sun! Yeah for cows and sheep and pigs that are too loud, and carnival rides that are too expensive! Yeah for cotton candy! Yeah for grandparents who insist on spoiling their grandkids!It all makes for a really fun day at the fair!!!

Grandma's being shy!

The view from the top of the ferris wheel. Who knew Houghton County had so many people?

The boys caught up with their preschool teacher, Karen! Karen's cow Surprise was a "contestant" at the fair.

A Rainy Saturday

Soccer got rained out. So did the county fair. What to do on a Saturday in August when there's torrential rains and it's 50 degrees? We packed up for the "big city" for some school shopping and a trip to the children's museum. Pretty sad that we have to travel a full 2 hours to get to the nearest Target, but... you gotta do what you gotta do. Had fun, despite being wet, and now we need some hot cocoa and fuzzy PJ's to snuggle up in. August??? Yeah right.

Thursday at the Work Site

The family traveled north today to take a peek at Dad's work site. He's remediating another old mine and streambed, and so far, the stream he created is working like a champ managing all this rainwater we've gotten lately! Yeah Dad! At the site, it took EXACTLY 30 seconds for the boys to be coated in mud, but... oh well :). Afterwards, we had a picnic on Lake Superior, at an absolutely gorgeous white-sand beach. It's not the ocean, but it's pretty darn close! Fun day all around.

Lagging Behind

I was told that "something must be wrong" because I haven't updated my blog in over a week. Well, nothing's wrong - just rain, and a general lack of photo-worthy moments :). We DID go blueberry picking the other day - that was fun. And we had a playdate yesterday with friends. Not such great pictures from the OTHER side of a trampoline safety net, but... it's what we've got. And a really nice picture of Morgan. She deserves some air time, as she is a very good dog who is low-maintenance and protects the offspring from various wild animals. She DOES, however, bring deer carcasses into the yard on a regular basis. Reardless. A good dog.

Weekend Fun

It was a hot one today (95 degrees!) and it's about time! Daddy and Colby went camping, canoeing along an inland lake, while Mom took Quinn to his soccer game. When Colby and Dad came home, I asked Colby how his trip was. He said "Dad said 'dammit, there's humans here!'" Upon further inquiry, Rob promised he didn't swear in front of my baby boy, but that he WAS complaining that it was crowded in all of his favorite places. Neither of us know where "humans" come from, but I think Colby thinks "human" is the opposite of "woman". Either that, or he's now considering himself an alien, because he has aspirations of being a "space man" when he grows up. Back on earth, Quinn got to play goalie, and did awesome! I was so proud of him, finishing the game, even though he was obviously very hot and tired!

Summer's Here --- FINALLY

Middle of August, and summer decides to show up. Thank you very much. We spent the past few days enjoying the beach... for the FIRST TIME THIS SUMMER! Insane. But sooooo worth it :) Reagan is just like her brothers. Loves the water, and has absolutley no fear. I caught her crawling underwater a time or two. Silly girl!

Pirate Scavenger Hunt

WHY is keeping children outdoors so difficult? We finally have beautiful weather, and I have to bribe them with a scavenger hunt and "treasure" to get them to enjoy the sunshine! I would LOVE to be out there, instead of here with the dirty floors and laundry. Childhood really is wasted on the young, isn't it?

What Happened On The Way To Church....

We were INTENDING to go to church today, but ended up with a 9 inch long spike in the van tire instead. After an hour on the side of the road with three very crabby, antsy children, Grandpa and Dad got the tire fixed enough to get us home. Surprisingly, the boys decided that, since we missed church, they wanted to have their own service at home, instead. The shin dig began with music, just as all good services should. Quinn, at the mic, began screaming "ROCK STAR! ROCK STAR!" Uh... no. We redirected to "Jesus Loves Me," had a few short Bible readings, a lesson on "forgiveness", and then a "fake communion" of bread and water, because Quinn has been dying to tell people "This is the body of Christ". The thing wrapped up in a record 10 minutes or so - which is exactly the attention span of 5 year old boys. They tolerated it better than any church we have yet attended.

Reagan's solo at "church"

Quinn serving "communion"

Afterwards, we all piled into Grandma and Grandpa's boat and went out to lunch. It's August, and Grandma was literally wearing a winter hat. We've had a near record cold summer here. Doesn't seem fair!!! The rain at least held off long enough for us to get to the restaurant and back. We can't wait for nice weather to enjoy the lake, because we'll be waiting forever.

Soccer

First soccer game today! Here's the stats:
Humidity: 100%.

Percent of game spent staring at one's own hands, instead of chasing after the ball: 50.

Games finished by either Aho boy: 0.

Number of children ejected from game for unsportsman-like conduct:1.

Number of children who spontaneously stopped playing because his brother got thrown out of the game: 1.
We've got alot to learn - for example.... when an opponent steals the soccer ball away from you on your way down the field, it doesn't mean that he's not SHARING, and the action doesn't warrant a hit to the head, or a shirt pull. (sigh)

On the way home from the game, Quinn asked who won. Rob and I told him that the other team did, as no one with a red jersey made a goal.
Q: "So did the blue team get pissed?"
Mom and Dad: "WH-wh-WHAT?"
Q: "Did they get pissed in the cup?"
M&D: "Excuse me?"
Q: "Did they get the pissed cup?"
Mom: "OOOOHHHH. The 'Piston Cup'? For winning? Did they get a trophy?"
Q: "Yeah".
M: "Um, no."

Wow. Soccer.

Even Grandma LaVerne got in on the act! Go Grandma Go!