Grandpa Visit

My dad and his girlfriend came for a visit last weekend. It was a short visit but we still packed in lots of fun with a trip to Canterbury Park (horse racing), the zoo, and a nice dinner out. Alex had a lucky day at the racetrack. Not only did the horse he picked for the last race win him some money, but a jockey also gave Alex his riding goggles as a souvenir. It was pretty cool.

State Fair

Last week was my first week back to work and Alex's first week of daycare. Alex did great and is excited to be at daycare with his buddy Henry this year. I had last Friday off so Alex and I took advantage and headed to the Minnesota State Fair with my friend Jennie. We had a great time checking out the animals and eating fair food but the highlight was watching Alex going through the kids farm exhibit. It was a multiple step process where he got to scoop up corn, ride a tractor, plant and water a seed, feed pretend sheep and chickens, milk a cow, pick fruits and vegetables, and buy a snack with his hard earned money. He loved it!

All dressed up and ready to work with his pail and apron!
The apron didn't last too long though before Alex tore it off.

.

Driving his pail over to the next stop.

Planting his seed.

Waiting so patiently for his next turn.

Milking the cow.

Madison Mini Marathon

We took a little trip to Madison last weekend to cheer Sara and Krista on during their half marathon. They both did a great job! We also had some time to play with the rest of the Ausman family, which was fun too.

Sara and Krista running down State Street

Alex and Greta with their aunts after the race. Alex's shirt said,
"My aunts ran 13.1 miles. What did yours do?" and Greta's said,
"My aunts can run faster than your mommy!"

Alex enjoying the sprinklers at a splash pad in Middleton

Sam and Greta at the splash pad

Barney

It was a perfect day outside- sunny and in the upper 70's- so I decided to take Alex to the Barney sing-along at the zoo with some friends. Alex wasn't too sure of the big purple guy at first but he eventually got into it. After the show we walked around to check out some of the animals.

Good old Barney

Alex not too sure of this Barney guy

My little chicken

Alex with his new friend Sophie and Bailey

The Last Pool Day

This summer every Thursday was pool day at Meridith's house. Alex and I always looked forward to spending the day at the pool with our friends. Thanks Meridith!

Meridith and Jack

Jennie and her niece Kaylee

Henry was ready to surf but mom convinced him

that using it as a kick board was good too.

Alex enjoying a picnic lunch to top off the day.

Derby Days

Last weekend was the annual Derby Days in Shakopee. We took in the Taste of Shakopee on Thursday night and the parade on Sunday. It was VERY hot and humid on Sunday but we still had a good time with good friends.

Squirmy but happy children stuffed full with pizza!

The three amigos giving each other "bumps"
at the end of the night.

Meridith, Rod, and baby Jack

Bailey and Karla

Alex spent most of the parade spraying himself and

others with a squirt bottle to cool off. He went

through 2 entire bottles of water by the end.

"Let me cool you off, Henry."

Shakopee Pool

Alex has been going to toddler time at a sand bottom pool with his buddies Bailey and Henry. It's not quite the beach but a nice way to spend Friday mornings.

A cute picture of Heidi and Henry

This was the best picture I could get of the 3 monkeys.

Minnesota Zoo

One of my favorite days ever spent with Alex was last Wednesday when we went to the zoo. It was just the two of us and Alex was in a great mood the entire time. We had a great time together.

Checking out a butterfly in the butterfly garden

The prairie dogs were one of the favorites this time.

"Airplane!" Alex is amazing at hearing and spotting airplanes. This

was him standing in the middle of a goat pen surrounded by

about 20 goats and he still wasn't distracted enough to not hear the plane.

We were both exhausted by the time we left. Alex couldn't even

make it through his book before passing out on the way home.

Nite to Unite

Last Tuesday we went to our neighborhood Nite to Unite. Both a fire truck and a police car stopped by this year for the kids to see.

Alex liked his fireman hat.

Hopefully this is as close to a police car that
Alex will ever get.

Florida

Alex and I met my mom and brother for a little vacation last week in Madeira Beach, Florida. It was very hot and humid but we had a great time. It didn't take Alex long at all to get used to the beach life.

First walk on the beach with Nonna.

It didn't take long before his shorts were soaked!

Alex and Uncle Kevin. Alex spent a lot of time
playing in the sand throughout the week.

Hard at work.

This was at John's Pass, which was a little boardwalk across

the street from our condo. It was full of shops and restaraunts.

It was nice to be able to just walk there to eat and shop.

We took a dolphin sightseeing pontoon ride.

Alex was more excited to spot tractors along the

shore line than he was to see the dolphins at first.

One of the dolphins spotted on our boat ride.

Bubbles!