Living in Minnesota

Jeff Foxworthy on Minnesota :

If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through
18 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will
Swim by, You might live in Minnesota .

If you're proud that your state makes the national news 96 nights
Each year because International Falls is the coldest spot in the nation,
You might live in Minnesota .

If you have ever refused to buy something because it's "too spendy",
You might live in Minnesota .

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March, you
might live in Minnesota .

If someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work
there, you might live in Minnesota .

If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of
His forehead, you might live in Minnesota .

If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you might live
In Minnesota .

If your town has an equal number of bars and churches, you might
Live in Minnesota .

If you know how to say...Wayzata ...Mahtomedi, ....Cloquet ... Edina
...and Shakopee, you might live in Minnesota .

If you think that ketchup is a little too spicy, you might live in
Minnesota .

Vacation means going "up north" for the weekend, you
might live in Minnesota .

You measure distance in hours, you might live in Minnesota .

You know several people who have hit deer more than once, you might
Live in Minnesota .

You often switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day ...and back
again,you might live in Minnesota .

You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging
blizzard, without flinching, you might live in Minnesota .

You see people wearing hunting clothes at social events, you might
Live in Minnesota .

You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both
unlocked, you might live in Minnesota .

You think of the major food groups as beer, fish, and Venison, you
might
live in Minnesota .

You carry jumper cables in your car and your girlfriend knows how to
Use them, you might live in Minnesota .

There are 7 empty cars running in the parking lot at Mill's Fleet
Farm at any given time, you might live in Minnesota .

You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you
might live in Minnesota .

Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with
snow, you might live in Minnesota .

You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road
construction, you might live in Minnesota .

You can identify a southern or eastern accent, you might live in
Minnesota .

Your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next to your
blue spruce, you might live in Minnesota .

Down South to you means Iowa , you live in Minnesota .

A brat is something you eat.

You find 0 degrees "a little chilly."

1st Recital

Isaac had his first violin recital today. He performed a "Pre-Twinkle Demonstration" with his box violin, and did an excellent job. 

Smiles in leaves.

First Snow

Tonight, Isaac got his first taste of snow for the year (literally). 

Isaac, the photographer

Now that we have a new digital camera, I pulled out the old one the other day for Isaac. He didn't have much difficulty figuring it out and took quite a few pictures. It gave us a glimpse at the world from his perspective... most of the pictures are of his toys. There's also a couple of us, but we won't be posting those.

Family Photo at MN Zoo

After a couple hours of running around to different Ramsey County Libraries trying to get our hands on a Minnesota Zoo "Museum Adventure Pass," we finally got one. That step alone was quite the adventure. Deb was home watching them become available and then checked-out on their website, while dad was running from library to library watching the person just ahead in line check out the last pass. It was worth the wait and hassle because, along with Grandma and Grandpa, we enjoyed an afternoon at the zoo. Next time we'll try to get a pass earlier in the week.
Once we finally got to the zoo, we made it just in time for the 3rd dolphin show. Both kids enjoyed this. We also saw sharks, monkeys, tigers, and took a trip down to the family farm. While walking a path with a wall next to it, we stopped and posed for this picture. It turned out nice enough that it could be our next Christmas card.

9/11 Tribute

We had the privilege of performing at a 9/11 memorial concert at Lake Harriet tonight. It was quite chilly but we had a good time, played some great music, and appreciated being a part of it. (Just saw ourselves on the WCCO news for a brief moment.)

Labor Day

This year we spent labor day laboring at Grampa's woodpile, helping them get ready for winter. Isaac was a big help. 

State Fair

Here's our kids at the state fair. Isaac in what he calls his "mooser-hopper hat", and Noah enjoying some strawberries and cream. You can almost see our 3rd on the way in the picture with the eggs. We started early and got all the free kids stuff out of the way. Grandma and grandpa came and picked up the kids so we could enjoy the rest of the day without ...a stroller. :) Believe it or not, we got through the entire day buying nothing but food.

Addition: Yes, this Tuesday Sept. 5th Pioneer Press bulletin board entry describes a true story about our Isaac which happened shortly before grandma ("Wise Old Woman") and grandpa picked up the kids...

WARNING! Cute kid story ahead, from Wise Old Woman of Blaine: "Four-year-old grandson Isaac and his family were at the Fair, and his mother took him into the Miracle of Birth Center. It was too crowded to watch firsthand, but they were able to watch by video as a cow was giving birth. Just as the calf began to appear, Isaac remarked, 'This is a grownup movie,' and walked away."

Suzuki Camp 2006

We're back from the Suzuki Music Camp in Steven's Point, WI. It was a long 2 weeks, but we all had some good times and Deb came back with a lot of new ideas.