M&D's FIRST trip to the State Fair!

Mark and I took the afternoon off work on Thursday to take M&D to the State Fair. We had a fun afternoon. We ate a corn dog, deep fried gourmet pickles, cheese curds, fresh cut fries, roasted corn, a snow cone (M&D's favorite), a funnel cake, and one foot long (in that order). I wanted the chocolate covered bacon, but the line was too long. We also went down the Big Slide. Not sure if the kids liked it or not, because we couldn't see their faces in front of us.

Dean LOVED the animals. In the sheep barn, he could not believe every direction he turned there were more sheep. He just kept squeeling in delight. In the 'Miracle of Birth' barn, he tried to crawl in with the calf.

We headed to the John Deere area for photos Grandpa would enjoy.

M&D on a Gator! Seriously, can't they at least have one real tractor on display.

Marly instantly channeled Grandma Marlys when she saw the lawn mowers. She headed straight over and started to climb aboard all on her own. It was if she knew and was drawn to it! Naturally, we always had John Deere lawn mowers.


She was grinning from ear to ear once she got all the way up! I was pretty moved to see her living up to her namesake! My mom spent a LOT of time mowing lawn, as many farm wive's do. Farms always seem to have acres of lawn to mow, and tons of trees to go around. In my mom's younger years, she mowed in a bikini. Yup, she always had a great tan. I remember my cousin's coming over to watch us so my mom could mow lawn. When I was really little, I remember begging to ride along with her on her knee - very safe! When I was in college, I remember she tipped the lawn mower over mowing the steep road ditch at our house. She called Brett to come quick and tip it back up before my dad found out!

Everyone is getting a little tired....

Dean sporting his sunglasses from the Lion's Eye Bank booth. Of course we stopped by the SCSU booth and the LifeSource both promoting organ and tissue donation. Mark and I opted out of volunteering at the SCSU booth, as we do most years. I think we missed it, and will be back next year to volunteer.

Checking out the rain - 17 months

Photos taken about two weeks ago!

Family photos at Tracy's wedding

Okay, not a single photo of the bride or the actual wedding event. At the moment, all I have are pictures of our immediate family! I am really trying to advance my skills as a blogger, but somehow just don't quite hit the mark. We actually had two cameras at the wedding, Mark's fancy one, and the point and shoot (which I get to use). I brought my camera with a DEAD battery! Very helpful.

Family Filled Weekend & Contemplations....

We are back from Glenwood/Lake Minnewaska and Tracy's wedding. As a wedding attendee, the event seemed to go off with out a hitch (except my own kids making a ruckus during the service). Tracy looked beautiful and it was a fun few days. Mark even got to come back to the dance after he put M&D to bed at the townhome, because a relative's relative sat at our townhome until we got back later. (Did you follow that??) Lovely 19-year-old Ellie was staying at the townhome next door anyway, and was ready to leave the dance.

On Thursday, we were the first of any family to arrive at Peter's Resort and the resort was great. We had a town home next to Barb and Charlie's townhome, so we were in the middle of all the action and activity. Brett and Rachel arrived a short time later. Dad and Chris later that night. Relatives came and went through the weekend. Saturday after the wedding was a full day of family fun (despite the cool weather and high winds that kept everyone off the lake).

It was a delight to watch Marly and Dean toddle about with their second and third cousins of similar age. Third cousin/15 month old Sophie Hawkinson was a hit with M&D. She had a cool wagon along. I soaked up the family atmosphere. It was really neat to see everyone.

And then we headed home... and I had time to think. I live in the cities. Do we want to live in the cities? Why do we live in the cities? Because we work here, that's why. But why do I need to work here? (Yes, there are many wonderful opportunities at my fingertips here. Yes my friends are near and dear to me here!) But...is this the best place for Mark and me and Marly and Dean? Truly, I think about this often. I actually believe I pretty much had the perfect childhood. How do I give that to M & D in a suburban setting, away from the farm? How do I instill in them my idea of what family is, or give them what I had? I was raised not just by my parents, but rather by my family who was my community.

Mark tells me there is no way to give them what I had living in the cities, and of course I will never be a farmer! I struggle with this, and in the end, I just don't have an answer and not sure I ever will...

Life is a catch 22 perhaps...

WE'RE SO EXCITED - Tracy's Wedding!

Mark and I are so excited - we are heading out of TOWN tomorrow morning!

We are going to Glenwood, MN to my cousin Tracy Melberg's wedding. Tracy's fiance lives in Glenwood, and Tracy is now a resident too! My Dad has a cabin for our branch of the Melberg crew at Peter's Resort. There are a slew of other wedding guests staying there as well. This includes Barb and Charlie (Tracy's parent's) and Brad, LeAnn and kids (Tracy's brother who is my age) and more. Of course Barb to the rescue for the David Melberg clan, as she booked our cabin for us MONTHS back. We will be pontooning, boating, eating, sunning, and enjoying time away through Sunday.

Friday evening is Tracy's actual wedding. I am sure the 'Cousin's Crew' will be in rare form... or maybe not with lots of kids to take care of too. I am so excited to see Tracy get married. I am also excited about the Glenwood/Lake venue Tracy has chosen. I am not sure the Hutchinson Event Center would book another wedding attached to the "Melberg" name at their facilities since the 'Cousin's Crew' has now broken... hmmm... four banquet tables at two wedding receptions. Three of those tables were broken on purpose. (LONG story). Anyway, I went shopping in my girlfriend's closet for the dress I am wearing, and Marly & Dean's clothes are already packed.

I have the Pacifica partially packed too w/ one Pack n Play so far, two Bumbo's, a hoard of diapers, wipes, the swim gear, and the wedding gift, with LOTS more stuff to follow. Tonight I am off to Costco and the grocery store for supplies. One of the items I am bringing is the ever popular Texas Caviar bean dip.

TRACY - ARE YOU OUT THERE??? WE WISH YOU A LOVELY WEDDING EVENT!!!!

Me at Hockey Docs

Here I am at the Gala event I mentioned earlier. Bethany, the young woman in the middle, is a Gillette patient. I truly enjoy working with her and she and her family inspire me on a very regular basis. Bethany's mom kindly sent me this photo.

I did not include other photos of the event, such as our kids with Kristi Yamaguchi on Friday night, as I had not asked for permission of the parents.

Sick Day

Yesterday I had a sick day from work. I was not sick, and the kids have nothing but colds... but Nanny Auntie Kelly had a migraine. I SOOO enjoyed my "sick day" home. I have been quite busy with work, and this was a much needed forced break. It was great to have a day away with no plans, and time to completely devote to M & D! We didn't have a real exciting day, but that's the point! We did visit Jenny and Vivian in the afternoon.

So what have I been busy with at work??? The 2nd Annual Hockey Docs/21 for Kids Gala took place on Friday night at the Minnepolis Marriott SW, with their golf tournament on Saturday at Rush Creek in Maple Grove. Friday we had 5 families attend the gala and auction to represent Gillette. 21 for Kids is the foundation created by former SCSU/MN Wild player Mark Parrish from Bloomington. All his family and friends volunteer at the event, and many, many hockey players attend. Hockey Docs are Twin Cities doctors who like to play hockey recreationally, but wanted to use their connections to help kids charities. At the golf tournament, we had a Gillette child who helped players putt on a hole for donations. Each foursome has a hockey player celebrity golf with them. Our families had a great time! The inventor of Crocs shoes was with one foursome. He donates Crocs to every golfer.

Check out on line at http://www.hockeydocscharities.org/