Iowa State Fair!

We missed the Iowa State Fair last year, but MORE than made up for it this year!!!  First, we hit the parade to start the fair because niece/cousin Belle Perkins was a county fair queen!  Then we went on a HOT Saturday with the family to eat, play, and watch coronation.  She didn't win, but she looked beautiful and had a great time.  Next, we went later that week with Papa Knute and Grandma Denise as dad received a conservation award.  This time it was COLD but we still had a great time and had a good free lunch!  Last, but not least - Andrew and Allison got a date night and went to the Alabama concert.  It's nice to live in Des Moines with the Iowa State Fair!

Nap #1 on Saturday - he was beat!

We found where Perkins parked! (by the wine!)

The boys absolute favorite - Little Hands on the Farm.

Boys watching Papa get his award.

Nap #2 - all warm and cozy!

Ty and the big pumpkin (before we noticed the "do not sit on" sign!)

Minnesota #2....

One of my favorite new things this year was a new park by the Perham schools.  The boys had a blast one morning playing somewhere new (and not in sand!).

One afternoon I asked Andrew to take the boys and give me just 5 minutes to finish a part of a book.....so he takes them kayaking with no life jackets.  Seriously??  But the boys had a BLAST!

Dad, I dont' want to sit here.

See, that's better.  I'm in charge.

He is really doing it on his own!

And yep - Dad let the 2 boys go alone!

Another favorite was how well they got involved into a 'project.'  This particular night Tyler and Eric were building something, and Blake had to help.  I was amazed how not afraid of the water he was (if you recall, not more than a month and a half earlier he was terrified of the sand and water!).  

Only family pic we got for the week!

Minnesota #2.....

Late July marked the annual Minnesota trip with the big group!  Again the boys had a blast and I think the big boys had some good fishing.

I just love when they get along as brothers!  Enjoying little cereal boxes for breakfast in the cabin.

This was a theme for the week....Blake is 2.  :)

Tyler had such a blast being independent and running with the boys!

What?  I'm not standing on a chair......

Cute water fountain in town.

Dirty #1.....

Dirty #2.....

Don't get between Newman boys and their Zorbaz Macho Nachoz!

Zorbaz makes a kid tired!

Nope, I didn't eat the chocolate donut.......

Blake's 2nd Birthday....again!

Completed Blake's 2nd birthday with a celebration on the deck with the Hallquist side.  The kids had fun opening presents with Blake, and we ate blue cupcakes!

Complete the birthday - bring your piggy bank to Grandma Newman at the bank!