Cows and choo-choos

On Saturday we hit the Goodhue County Fair. Evan got the chance to pet some cows, see a few farm animals, taste his first cheese curd and ride on some carnival rides. Evan got to ride the "big rigs" trucks for almost 10 minutes because he was the only kid at the carnival. I finally had to ask the guy running the ride to let Evan off! Its just not the same when you are the only kid on the train...


While Daddy was busy winning Evan a pet fish, we ran into the Eckhoffs! Some nice girls also won a fish and gave it to Peyton - so both the boys were very happy with their new pets. Evan named his "Fish."


Here we have three simultaneous conversations going on: Becky/Melissa, Jeremy/Jeremy and Peyton/Evan. Evan is showing Peyton his new wheels.


Evan all snuggled up in his Vikings chair after a long day!


Today we made the trek to Lakeville for the annual "Day out With Thomas" event. Evan had a BLAST!


We started out with the little train ride...


...to gear up for the big one!


Here we are, riding Thomas the Tank Engine. Neither Jeremy, Evan, nor I had ever been on a train before, so it was kind of neat. I think this one topped out at about 15 miles an hour though.


There was also a corn maze, a ball pit, a big inflatable slide, bubble fountains, about 5 train tables set up, sand toy pits, and a photo op with Sir Topham Hat. Evan gave him a high-five, but was in no mood for a photo op - there were too many other fun things to do! Oh, and Evan got his first tattoo - a temporary one (Thomas the Train, of course!)


Oh, yeah...and we got Evan a Thomas train whistle. Not sure if this was a mistake yet or not...

Daddy had to mow the yard after we got home - and Evan volunteered to help him out.

This video needs a little context: I am asking Evan about his new tattoo, and he tells me its "on his arm" and then he is DONE with the conversation. He babbles something at me and brushes me off - "talk to the hand, Mom." What a sassy-pants. I can certainly tell that he's turned TWO.

A very busy weekend!

This weekend went by really fast thanks to River City Days and lots of fun events. Saturday morning, while Jeremy cleaned out the garage (our first fun task for the day), Evan used up the remaining pudding paint that I made the day before. Not much ended up on the paper - he ate most of it.

Later that day we had a picnic at Colvill park - the same place Jeremy and I were married almost three years ago. (Time flies...when you have a two-year old!) We took a wedding photo on top of this castle, and so I thought it would be neat to get a photo of Jeremy and Evan on top. Things sure change in a few short years, don't they!?


Daddy is such a good sport.

Swinging in the sunset. After dusk we went to Baypoint Park to watch a movie on the blow-up drive-in screen. It was neat, but Evan decided he would rather go listen to the live band that was playing under the tent. We dance for a while and ended the night "early" at about 10:30. Yikes - good thing River City Days is only once a year!

On Sunday we walked down to the Rotary River City Days Parade. Since I'm a Rotarian, I had to Marshall - but I was lucky and got a block with mostly shade, so the boys joined me at my post. Evan waved and said "hi" to EVERYONE that went past. It was so cute! He got extra candy from everyone for his cuteness. He was full of sticky sucker juice by the time we left the parade.

The Winona Steam Calliope.

After we got home from the Parade, Grandma and Grandpa Irvin took us all out on their boat for a trip to the beach, fire-roasted hot dogs and eagle watching. At one point we saw seven eagles at once - two moms and five young'ns. It was amazing.

What a great weekend. We are all exhausted, but it was well worth it.

Playdate with the Neumans

On Friday evening the Neumanns came over to play! We all had a blast - Evan and Emma played in the yard, finger painted with pudding, ran though the sprinkler, ate some spaghetti, had a few ice cream cones, took a bath and parted ways exhausted and happy. It was great time! Emma even washed Evan's feet for me in the bathtub - I think in another country that may be part of a marriage ceremony...are they to young to be betrothed? Ha!

Happy 2nd Birthday Evan!

I can't believe our little man is already TWO! To think, just 24 months ago right about now I was in labor, standing in line at EconoFoods waiting to pay for some bologna so I could come home and make a toasted bologna sandwich (those cravings are terrible...)


We had a party with five 2-year-olds and family members on Saturday. I wasn't sure if I should look forward to have five 2-year-olds at our house or if I should be terrified - but it turned out great! They all had a blast playing in the pool, blowing bubbles (dumping bubbles in the pool), drawing with sidewalk chalk and playing with all of Evan's new toys!


Grandpa Nelson pushing Evan on his new John Deere tractor from Great-Grandma Nelson, Harlan, Karla and Grandpa Nelson!

Peyton trying out Evan's new Viking chair from Grandma and Grandpa Novek and Muriel and Sam. He looks pretty comfortable!

Opening gifts. (Elsie, Evan and Emma - the "E-Team.")

Having some fun with sidewalk chalk.

Jump!

Evan's new lawnmower from Grandma and Grandpa Irvin.

Evan and his girls - Elsie and Emma. They are so cute together! I have a great video of Evan giving them both a kiss, but am having technical difficulties and am unable to upload it.

Emma telling Evan about his new present from "Auntie Becky."

Emma, Elsie, Evan and DJ chowing down before cake!

Becky, Jonathan and Annie.

It was a fun day! The adults all had almost as much fun as the kids. It was a beautiful day out and we couldn't ask for a better bunch of people to spend such a great day with - thank you all!