State Fair Time

Duluth

This feels like a month ago already, but no, just a week and a half or so...

The first voyage "up north" to Duluth. Unfortunately it was chilly and rainy. So we visited the aquarium. We were able to get a few photos.

The lift bridge is obscured by rain or fog. I think rain. This is one place I can't wait to take them when they are older. My family used to go up to Duluth and the North Shore when I was little. It's changed a lot, but Canal Park and the lake walk (I think that's what they call it) are pretty cool. Future memories.

we're back

Apparently it's been a week since I posted. I had pictures in the queue....but a little too harried to post. Roman came down with a fever last Sunday. I ended up staying home with them on Monday....then made up Monday on Wednesday. Which was actually nice, I could save my vacation day (although I get plenty, I could have used it...) But it made me realize what a great schedule I have. I've gotten used to the midweek break, that's for sure.

We brought Roman to the doctor Monday - two ear infections. He's doing better now. This is the first real fever either of them had - he hit 104 in the middle of the night and freaked us out. It put me back in the new parent seat. Reminded me of when we first brought them home and how I'd call the nurse line when Zoe was screaming. New parents. We've been lucky though.

Here's some bathtime fun.
Bubbles!

Sleepy time

Sometimes a girl and her daddy just can't take any more excitement.

First time in a (real) pool!

Grandma Candy bought these nifty "lily pads" so the kids could float.



Zoe wasn't too interested in it. But she did like the kids playing on the other side of the pool.


She was a bit happier too when Daddy took her and held her...When the quivering lip started we thought it might be wise to warm up a bit in the hot tub.


That's better.


We all enjoyed it together (and Grandma Candy took pictures!)

New trick

Zoe's Wednesday "I can do myself" trick.




Hands on head. We'll be teaching her to make faces like "OH NO!" pretty soon.

Or work on pointing to the shoulders so she can do the actions to "Head, shoulders, knees and toes (knees and toes!)"


p.s. Yes, we're bring the kids to the casino already (Black Bear). After walking thru their kids arcade I realized the dingdingding over 18 area is just a more expensive arcade. I made your dad spend $5 trying to get the plastic viking helmet out of the crane/claw game. He didn't get it. Usually he's pretty good at that.

Zo-eye

We Just took a one night trip up north. An inaugural hotel visit.
The original purpose of the trip (to visit a great great aunt to you two) was unfortunately not possible this time around, but we were able to make the most of our time, despite the non stop rain. We ate out several times, and you two certainly are fun to be around in a restaurant. I may live to eat those words...but you enjoy the hub-bub. And we get a lot of comments.
Zoe now seems to be the one flirting with everyone. Roman is more focused on the food. Give it to me, please! Zoe is now waving, somewhat haphazardly, but it is definitely a wave. As I said before she's also clapping. Quite the repertoire she's developing ! :) She had a new move at Tobie's during lunch. We'll have to talk about that separately!

Below, we were sitting next to the pool area at the hotel. Zoe and Roman had just eaten. The Grandmas Jane and Candy joined us, as well as Grandpa Jon. (again, what the hey, the gang's all here).

Here, Zoe gives her best pageant face to Grandpa Jon.



Think it's a fluke? No.



You make us laugh, little girl!

Sunday tv watching

The PGA is in Minne-show-ta. If we were golf people I suppose this would have been a bigger deal. Instead, it's an asterisk.
We went out to visit the grandparents Jane and Jon. Roman was getting tired, but didn't want to nap. I took him on my lap, uncle Dave turned on golf. Within 5 minutes Roman was out. Uncle Andy (yeah, the gang was all there) said "all he needs is a beer in one hand and a remote in the other and he's set" (or something to that effect). True. Golf put him out.
But not for long.

Le Tigre (I'm sure no one calls him that) was up.
Shhhhhhh.


I can't believe how nice a picture of the picture the camera took. I'm shocked.

A short while later, Zoe joined Roman. I believe there are watching the ultimate winner.



Or not.



Plants are tasty.



But Tiger's up again...




YAAAY!
(Zoe has now started to clap. It's pretty darn cute.)

You come from a long line of cheesy grins

This morning as I was towel drying my hair in the hallway I was looking at some pictures we have up in the hallway. I paused at this one. Grandma Jane making The_cheesy_grin®! That's her with her sister Carolyn on the right.


And that's your mama. I'm going to guess it's up north somewhere based on the rock.

Fish Lake

Sunday was time to explore another park. I picked up a hard copy of the Three Rivers Park district map when we were at Elm Creek last week and figured we'd investigate some other parks.

I thought we'd try Eagle Lake. I saw it have a golf course there, but also a paved trail. When we arrived it looked mostly like a golf course. Since I had brought the wagon with me (just me, Daddy was working) I thought maybe a golf course was a bad idea. Bing! No, we won't take that chance.

So we went down the road a few miles to another park: Fish Lake.

Here we are on the trail. Apparently Zoe is very excited about sunscreen.



The trail isn't super long, but I think it's long enough.

There's a little beach, which looked to be shallow. I think daddy and I must bring you back to try out swimming...

Looks like a self portrait, no?

Roman's got a drinking problem.

Fambly

Saturday we went out to Grandma Jane and Grandpa Jon's to meet your uncle Andy's soon to be inlaws. Mom took the opportunity to get a couple of pictures (still not as many as I should). Grandpa Jon's sister, Jannie, was there and excited to see you. She follows you two on the blog. Jannie is your mom's aunt and your Great Grandfather Roman's youngest child.



Roman was interested in gnawing on his hand. But the kissy-kissy got a smile started.



And we finally get a picture of you with you hand out of your mouth and a smile...so now it's time for Jannie's eyes to be shut. Oy!

I don't know why your daddy taught you this face

more pool. less cool.

Pool time

I took a series of photos in the pool from this view as fast as I could.
You think sitting in the pool involves just sitting? Think again.