tasting the rainbow (trout).

These pictures are a little overdue. Last month, Ethnie got to go fishing with her papa and grandma to Star Prairie Trout Farm in Wisconsin. It's a great place where you can fish for trout and take home whatever you catch.

way to go, Ethnie!

A couple weeks ago my brother came over to help me clean the fish. That is quite the intricate and messy process. He also taught me a new way to cook it. It was SO good and Ethnie was so proud to have provided the main course of our meal! Thanks papa and grandma for taking her fishing!

fall transitions.

Our fall schedule is in full swing now with two weeks of school done and Emmett going to a structured playgroup that is getting him ready for Pre-K (tearing up as I write this). So crazy. He goes twice a week in the morning and is LOVING it. It has been very enjoyable for me too. I get to run errands, go to appointments, or work out all by myself. So nice. And Emmett is so ready to have regular time away from me and be in a classroom setting.

Ethnie is loving second grade and has told me multiple times, "Being a second grader is way better than being a first grader." At her Montessori school, her class is made up of kids from grades 1-3. They are still taught at their specific grade level, but can also help and teach each other. It also teaches the older kids in the class to be a leader and good example. The other thing I love is that she has the same teacher 1st-3rd grade. 

I hope you are all having a great start to fall!

remembering Jim.

My great-uncle Jim tragically died this week. On Tuesday, he was on his way to the dentist on his motorcycle and was hit by a car. The woman driving the car claims she did not see him and pulled out as he was riding by. He was rushed to the hospital and passed away Wednesday morning.  He was only 58 years old.
I did not see Jim on a regular basis, but when I did he always gave me a big hug and called me sweetie. He always cared about what was important to me and what was going on in my life. Jim was a sweetie himself and had a big heart! He loved to have a good time and make the most of each day.
On Saturday, we went to a gathering at Jim and Jackie's home to celebrate him and the turnout overwhelmed me. It was so amazing to see so many people there who loved Jim. It was great to reconnect with family and share and look at fun memories of Jim.
I know now he is in a better place, embracing his parents and other family members who have been waiting for him on the other side. I love you, Jim!

It's crazy how someone you love can be here today, then gone tomorrow. I'm begging you all; if you ride a motorcycle please wear a helmet and be responsible. You are too special and loved to take such a risk. 

1 second everyday - august.

I hope you all had a great first day back to school! We did. :)

my cute second grader. :)

 

Here is one second of each day in August (I missed a few. Those days have photos.):

state fair 2013.

Oh, how I love going to the State Fair. It is something I look forward to every year. Yes, it's crowded, loud, full of germs, and I consume a shocking amount of calories. But it is a tradition and I always enjoy myself. (And I think I can reward myself once a year with a strange deep-fried something.) I also love the fair because it reminds me of how much talent we have in MN (did you go into the creative arts, 4H, or horticulture buildings? crazy!) and how unique it can be. Have you ever gone ice skating outside in 90-degree weather? You can here. You can go to the fair and partake of everything this state has to offer in one place. It's like a concentrated form of MN. Love it!
Because of the weather this year, we did not take the kids. I heard a couple of scary stories of babies being unresponsive at the fair. That freaks me out and makes me livid at the same time. Use your heads, people. Since we didn't have our kids with us, I decided to go minimal and left the camera at home. These photos are from my phone.  

the sea of people.

bees!

honey sticks from Mademoiselle Miel.

veggie fries. my new favorite.

deep-fried olives. tastes like pizza.

this new maze was fun, but it took me way too long to get through it.

go visit Joe Shasky's bench in front of the food building near the Health Fair. 

Sad to see the Fair end tomorrow. Until next year!