Happy 2nd Birthday Gunnar

Last Thursday my nephew Gunnar turned two. He's growing up so fast. We celebrated at Lickity Split in Edgewater. Gunnar was very excited about his pink cupcake, but then only ate the frosting off the top (with a spoon I might add).

   

"Babies are such a nice way to start people." - Don Herrold

Visit to St. Louis

This weekend Meg and I drove down to St. Louis. 

The Arch on a Cloudy Day

Anna was in town for a young adult literature conference and we wanted to see Mahrya and Dave and finally meet the twins. It was a whirlwind trip. We got in Saturday afternoon and left Sunday morning. But it was fun to hang out with the girls and Athena and Evander are adorable. 

"Friends are those rare people who ask how you are then wait for the answer." - Unknown 

A Visit to Wagner Farm

Last Saturday Zach, John, Kirstin, Gunnar, and I went to Wagner Farm in Glenview. 

We met the animals.

Picked out pumpkins.

And rode the hayride. 

 A perfect fall afternoon. 

"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." - Marcel Proust 

Scooter Meets Monty

Last weekend Zach, Scooter, and I went down to Decatur to visit family. We got to meet the newest member of the family, Whitney's puppy Monty. He's an adorable Pointer Jack Russell Mix. Scooter was an old grump to his cousin Monty  and didn't want to run around or play with him at all. Apparently he forgot what a pest he was to older dogs when he was puppy. I know someday soon they'll be great friends.

Monty with his Frog Friend

The Cousins

Zach Running Around with his Buddies

"Until one has love an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France

German-American Fest

Last weekend it was that time of year again...another German fest in Lincoln Square. Zach and I met John, Kirstin, Gunnar, and Jo at German-American Fest. We listened to the music and as always enjoyed the excellent people watching. 

After the fest we went to The Daily for dinner and Gunnar was haming it up for the camera. 

"Life is a ticket to the greatest show on earth." - Martin H. Fischer 

Twins vs. White Sox Labor Day

Zach and I left Minneapolis early in the morning on Labor Day so we could go to the Twins vs. Sox game in Chicago. 

So, when were on the red line we met one of Josh Willingham's friends! We were really hoping he'd invite us to the luxury box, but no luck.  

We had a groupon for "the patio," which felt like a cafeteria under the stadium, but there was outdoor seating on field level which was really cool. I was able to get some close up pictures of the Twins warming up and the beginning of the game. Eventually, they kicked us out and we had to go to our seats.  

We're not going to talk about the score, but the next night we beat the Sox 18-9. 

Joe Stretching

Warming Up That Arm

My New Favorite Twin Ben Revere (due to his amazing twitter feed)

Our Friend of a Friend Josh Willingham

Zach and I at the Game

“A hotdog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.” - Humphrey Bogart

Minneapolis Labor Day Weekend

Zach and I had a great time in Minneapolis this past weekend. On Saturday morning we went to go meet J.J. Of course Liz already has this mom thing down and J.J. is absolutely adorable. 

In the afternoon Leah and I had lunch at The Good Earth while Zach went to the driving range. 

We went out to dinner with my parent at The Hole by the U of M and Johannah and Ryan met us there later. So great to see them and catch up. Then, it was home to join in my godmother's birthday celebration. Happy Birthday Kate.  

Love This Pic

Me and My Godparents

Sunday I had breakfast with Laurel and Leah at French Meadow Bakery and after we stopped by Leah's house to visit her mom.

Then it was time for the Minnesota State Fair, which according to Wikipedia is the largest state fair in the United States in terms of average daily attendance. Yeah, it's kind of a big deal. 

Enjoy my pictures of The Great Minnesota Get-Together:    

Baby Cow

Baby Goats for Zach

Baby Goat and Leah

Western Horse Show

Smokey and Me

Leah and the Biggest Pumpkin

Princess Kay of the Milky Way Butter Heads

Zach Relaxing on the Sky Glider

I Can't Believe Barack Was There

"Doggies of the Wild West" Show

Doggie Climbing a Ladder 

Right Before He Jumped Off

It was the best day. I ate the following food: falafel on a stick, samosas, ice cream cone, french fries, cheese curds, and a pickle on a stick. Can't wait for next year.  

"Speak softly and carry a big stick." - Teddy Roosevelt, as first said at the Minnesota State Fair on September 2nd, 1901

Day Out with Thomas

Kirstin beat me to the punch on Thomas posts, but I had to share my pictures, too. 

John, Kirstin, Gunnar, and I drove over an hour to the Illinois Railway Museum for one thing and one thing only: Gunnar's reaction when he saw Thomas. And he did not disappoint. I've never heard the word "Thomas" said more times in one day (many times by me in an attempt to get Gunnar to say it too). All and all it was a fun day and now I can finally say "I rode on Thomas the Train." 

Title of Photo: "John Posing With Train and Uncrustable" 

Me and Kirstin Breaking the Rules and Climbing on Trains

Gunnar, Kirstin, and THOMAS

So Happy to Be Riding Thomas

Kirstin Not as Ecstatic

Gunnar Pointing Out the Other "Choo-Choo"

Father and Son Equally Enjoying the Trains

"Thank God for the model trains, you know? If they didn't have the model trains they wouldn't have gotten the idea for the big trains." - A Mighty Wind