Claire has started to mimic Mom and Dad. Here's a sample!

Last weekend we ventured the the Great Minnesota Get-together- The State Fair! Claire was a trooper. Here Claire and Dad are checking out the 4H projects- a tractor in Claire's favorite color and a snowmobile with flames(?)


All the sights, smells and sounds of the Fair are exhausting! Claire conked out in the poultry barn...


Awake and ready for more- what's next!?

Claire has a new toy! She can balance on it, but hasn't quite figured out that she can make it move. Either way, she thinks its great fun!

Claire loves to swing and we try to do it every day. Claire loves it- the higher, the better!

Claire and her playdate friends got together for a swinging good time in our backyard.

Playdate is tiring. Cool grass feels good on a warm day.

Great-Grandma called just as we were headed out the door to go boating with our friends on the St Croix river near Prescott and Afton. She was very surprised to hear that Claire would be out on a boat. We assured her that it was a nice large boat so it would be very safe for Claire. She noted that if it was a large boat, that we must have very good friends. Indeed, we do. Thanks Gerald and Wayne (and Bailey the dog) we all enjoyed our time with you on the river. You are definately great friends. Claire thinks you are great too! And I don't know many captains who could have backed us into that spot on the city dock in Prescott to disembark...Nice navigating!

Claire likes driving the boat, sockey monkey, and Gerald...and his elbow rest... :}Gerald and Wayne probably had no idea that boat lunch might include sushi made by Aaron, what an exercise in trust...raw fish for lunch. Where in the heck was that soy sauce anyway? Thanks for letting us contribute to the day as well.

Grandma, note size of boat is not entirely evident from picture. It is a 27 footer. Hope you guys can continue to keep it out of the rocks and what not. Thanks again for a great day on the water! It was very relaxing and enjoyable. What a beautiful day to be out!

Claire went camping in a tent!!! Mom and Dad are indoctrinating her early at Dad's birthday request. The pics show she enjoyed it though...
Timer...no tourist thumbs
She is getting pretty mobile now. Full crawl soon. It was interesting trying to keep her on the blanket and out of the sand and dirt.
Hammock time, is that right before Miller time? Or is it milk thirty?

Bonus points if you know where this sandstone formation from a glacial lake is.

Stairs like this make you have a concious effort while climbing with a little one on your back.

The view from the top is pretty great though!

Send your comments and guesses as to where this is! We would love to know or hear from you.

Aaron is still infatuated with rivers, especially ones as beautiful as this one. It was right by our campsite. Fog over it in the morning with the sun coming up.

Nice floraSo many rocks in the rapids. Makes it hard on the toes for wading. But one almost need not worry about getting wet!
Bald eagles, lakes, rivers, stars, good camp food (yuppie s'mores), and a tent with your family. Amazing stars. Polka Sunday Morning, beautiful weather 80 during the day and 50 at night. Did I mention the stars?

Double bonus points if you actually know what yuppie s'mores are. Megan described them on a call in radio show on FM107 (the chick station) recently, but did not get around to mentioning our name for them. Write us with your guesses!

Claire hates the washcloth for brushing her teeth...

clearly, not the same situation for the new toothbrush.

Enjoying a hot day in the pool. Wishing it was bigger too! Its refreshing.


Future lifeguard!