Go, Go, Goers!

It's an amazingly different experience at the MN State Fair when you're not trying to chase a marching band all over the fairgrounds. My mom and I went this year and had the best time, strolling through the crowds, stopping to choose what food to try next, and sitting on benches to watch the world go by. It was probably one of the most relaxing times that I've spent in the decades of years that I have attended the fair. Already looking forward to next year! On the bus - best way to get to the fair! Blu beer with a frozen topper Old Fashioned cookie dough on a stick What a pretty name! Such a small percentage of the 200,000+ people who were at the fair that day! Have to watch the fish at the DNR building Iced, blended mochas...so tasty! Had lots of Pria moments this week...I like to send pics of her to Arya because I know she misses her (and vice versa)  Slightly cow-like in this one G and I took both of Arya's trumpets to a repair shop today. Her brass one needed lots o...

A few weekends ago, G and I explored another area of the south metro, looking for a creek to walk by. We didn't have much luck, but we ended up at my parents' house, so we stopped in for an unexpected visit. I consider that a win for the day! Later that night, Arya requested a bonfire for her last Saturday night at home. We hadn't set up the fire table or the back deck yet this year, so we scrambled to get everything put together and ended up enjoying the beautiful weather that night. Lots of ducks on our walk! Bonfire! She tolerated being by the fire, but didn't love it Last Saturday, Scott and I moved Arya to her new home at UWRF. It was pouring rain during her move-in time slot, but I came prepared with towels, so it didn't impact us too much. We had it all set up within a few hours, then took her out to lunch, got her some groceries, and said our goodbyes. Scott and I then walked through campus, made a quick visit to the school store, and then left our girl in W...

Last Sunday was the perfect day to explore an area that neither Arya nor I had been to before. We headed east to walk around the Vermillion Falls/River and Greenway area. The path was nicely paved, with lots of overhead shade from trees; there were so many families out on bikes and walking, and we had a nice view of the Vermillion River. Arya got some great pics, and I enjoyed spending time outdoors with my sweet girl. This weekend, G and I will be heading out to explore a creek area in a few towns just south of us. And I've already got an idea for another creek I want to walk by next month (it's a bit further away, and I'd rather put that aside until Arya is off at college) The tree leans to find the sun On the way home, we stopped at the DQ in another town (we have a love/hate relationship with the DQ in our town, so I wanted to avoid it.) The warm weather felt great, and we enjoyed some sweet treats while watching the world drive by. We're counting down the days unti...