The Northern Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion...

Every year, over Labor Day weekend, the Northern Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion takes place in Rollag, MN. Among the many things to do, there's an old steam locomotive that takes a one-mile plus tour around the grounds to ride. Here are Erica and Brendan waiting for our turn to take a ride...

Cary and Brendan on one of the open-front cars...
Erica and Halle enjoying the ride...
The train, from a distance...

The Trooper Hat's many looks...

staring....HALLE!


First up - the classic "I'm here to arrest you - but darn aren't I cute" look...

Next it's the "Not only is it a trooper hat, but also a sombrero" look...


And finally, it's the "Trooper Hat? I think not! This is a walking fashion statement!" look...

Yeah - she's a total girl!

Thank you again, Uncle Steve, for the authentic State Trooper Hat!!

Play Ball!

Last Sunday was a gorgeous day, perfect for teaching Brendan some baseball basics. First order of business, figure out which way Brendan feels more comfortable batting...

"No Daddy, I don't like that way"...


"This feels better"...


He's ready! Have a look at that form!! :)

The pitch is up...


Swing and a miss!
Brendan did a great job for his first attempt at batting - he didn't actually hit the ball mid-air, but got closer and closer the more Cary pitched to him. At one point, out of frustration, he took the bat and hit the ball golf-ball style while it was laying on the ground - then cheered and said, "Momma - did you see me hit it?!!"

After a rousing game of baseball, nothing tastes better then some hotdogs cooked over an open fire. Cary and Brendan headed out to the woods to gather some "cooking sticks"...
The fire - hot! The sticks - sharpened! It's time to cook!

Mmmmm.....

Weddings Galore!

Here are a few candids from the other wedding I was a bridesmaid in this summer (August 18th)...


Here are my friends, Sonja, Amie (the bride, obviously!) and I...
Amie with her dad, Del, and stepmom, Mary...
Me with two of my other great friends, Margie and Sharon...
The bride and groom (Amie & Tony) sharing their first dance...

And finally, Cary and I...
(That's my friend, Margie, in the background - isn't the look on her face hilarious!?!)

Colin and Kahri's Wedding (8/12)!

My younger brother, Colin, got married this weekend in Oakes. A WONDERFUL time was had by all! Our entire family was in the wedding; I was a bridesmaid, Cary, an usher, Brendan was the Ring Bearer, and Halle, a Flower Girl. The kids looked SO cute, and did such a great job! Both walked down the aisle unassisted, and Brendan stopped at the end to give Uncle Colin a big hug! I cannot wait to see the pictures the photographer got - as it was, we didn't end up with any snapshots of Halle in her adorable dress - she was always on the go, then was gone for about an hour napping! We got plenty of video of everyone, however, to remember the day by!

Here is Brendan with Kahri - she looked gorgeous!

Brendan with Colin and Kahri - giving his new Aunt a big kiss on the cheek!

Brendan absolutely LOVED wearing the little tuxedo - it was his "special suit" - and he looked so handsome!

The reception and dance took place immediately following the wedding at the Angry Beaver in Oakes.

After dinner was over, we made Brendan cooler by removing his jacket, tie and shirt - he made quite the hilarious little "Chippendale"!

Brendan and Cam doing the "Hokey Pokey"...


Brendan dancing with Uncle Colin during the dollar dance...
Kicking up our heels to the music (I'm the one in the pink dress holding Halle)...

Cary and I...

Cary and my sister, Erica...
My cousin, Jacinta's husband, Matt, and myself...
My mom (after changing out of her wedding attire) dancing with Jake (one of the groomsman)...

Congratulations Colin and Kahri! What a great night!!

Our Vacation...part 2!

Vacation Day 2 brought us to the North Shore Railroad, a train that travels along the shores of Lake Superior on a site seeing adventure. There are many tours to choose from, and we chose a 90 minute excursion that took us to Lester River, and back. The air conditioned cars were wonderful. Here, Brendan shows off his new dorky grin he does when we ask him to smile (he's sitting in the air conditioned car waiting for the train to leave the station)...


The train also features a large open-air car, where we spent most of the ride...

The two munchkins side by side, enjoying the ride...
Friday night we had dinner at Holly and Steve's house with family and friends. Brendan was fascinated by Steve's State Patrol squad car. Steve made his day by allowing him to get into the car, push a few buttons, talk through the megaphone, turn on the lights and blare the siren!

Since we didn't have time to tour the train museum (where the North Shore Railroad boards) on Friday, we went there on Saturday morning. They have TONS of actual trains there for viewing. Some of which you can climb up into! Here Brendan is stading inside a locomotive...
And, here he is looking out the window of the same locomotive (sorry the picture is so dark!)...


His excitement over the day is plain to see!


Halle lounging in her stroller, posing in front of a huge snowblower...


Next to the Depot is a Children's Museum, so we spent a little time there, as well...

Next up: Colin's wedding (8/12)!