Catching up...again.

We've been going seemingly non-stop for the last couple weeks, starting with our trip to the State Fair! I was amazed, however, at the number of the strollers and wagons we passed where the children inside were sleeping peacefully, taking a much needed rest from the hustle and bustle of the fair. Not our kids! The more they saw, the more tired and cranky they became but they just would not sleep. Truthfully, they were pretty good but it was a long day for us all and they got tired of sitting in the stroller. Believe it or not, it was much easier taking them last year as 1-yr olds! Maddie was the first one to fall asleep in the car on the way home: we weren't even out of the parking lot. We did pack a lot in, though. Ellie got to ride on some of the Kidway rides and then Dave and I both took her down the Giant Slide. We saw some cows, pigs, and horses in the barns, and sampled lots of yummy food. As much as we love the fair, we were exhausted by the time we left at 6pm. Here are a few of the highlights, including Aidan struggling to stay awake in the stroller, Maddie enjoying a cheese curd, Zoe with a Sweet Martha's cookie, and Ellie milking a "cow" :

The kids loved the Twins game we brought them to the week before. Actually they probably enjoyed the people-watching most of all; they're all such flirts, they were making goo-goo eyes and smiling at all the people around us. And thankfully we were in the first row of the upper deck so there was no chance of us spilling food and/or drink on anyone below us. Here are some of the pictures I promised a while ago:

Dave attempted to camp with Ellie in a tent in our backyard a couple weeks ago. We had a fire in our firepit and enjoyed some s'mores but by 10 p.m. Ellie was initially so excited to sleep in the tent but as it got later in the evening, she grew more apprehensive about sleeping outside. She did just fine last year so we're not sure what was causing the change of heart. Like a little trooper, though, she agreed to try it out and promptly fell asleep, though she and Dave gave it up about 1:30 a.m. and came into the house. Oh well, maybe they'll try again next year.

The following day we made another trip to a beach, this time to Lake Marion in Lakeville. The beach was really nice, especially as there's a large tree growing right next to the sand providing some shade from the hot sun. However, the water was freezing! I actually left the camera at home as I've been attempting enjoy our outings more lately and not be so concerned about getting good photos or being so worried about a camera getting stolen that I wouldn't leave our blanket and go into the water. So, no pictures of that outing, but good memories anyway!

We spent Labor Day weekend at the cabin. Dave and Ellie spent quite a bit of time drowning worms but ended up catching about 20 crappies, sunnies, and even a rock bass! They set most of them free but cleaned about 4 for a light meal the next night. The weather was a little cool but overall really nice; we went for a walk, took the pontoon out for a cruise around the lake, and just generally relaxed. The littles are getting a little more comfortable up there but still have an adjustment period each night in regard to sleeping in their pack 'n plays. We're hoping to make at least one more trip up there soon before we close the place up for the winter!