Renaissance Fair

We went to the Renaissance Fair again this year.  Not much changed from last year of course, but we still had fun.  Here are a few fair moments:

Trying her hand at archery again.

She sped up the 18 foot wall fast and with hardly any effort.  I was impressed.  

So we let her try the 24 foot wall.  As you can see, she mad it up there too!

Just taking a moment to relax.

Some Beach Fun

We went to the beach with some friends and had a ton of fun.  The beach was almost exclusively ours.  This may have had something to do with the very strong wind that day, but we decided to make the best of it and stick it out.  It was too windy for beach umbrellas, which makes this very fair-skinned-and-burns-way-too-easy mom a little worried, but I just kept putting the sunscreen on and everything was alright.  Other than my attempts to thwart sunburns, the day was very relaxing.

Packers Family Night

Okay, so if you know Emma, at all, you must know what an obsessive Green Bay Packers fan she is.  Ever since we moved here she's been this way.  Right after we moved here the Packers played the Bears to see who would move on and play in the Superbowl, which of course the Packers did, so then we saw them win the Superbowl that year too.  And I think all the hype and excitement coupled with the cheesehead hats which she loved turned her into this super fan.  And she's in love with Aaron Rodgers.  She wants to marry someone with the last name of Rodgers just so she can name her son Aaron.  Yup.  Die hard.

She will actually sit and watch an entire football game.  She'll cheer, boo, ask questions, and stay interested the entire time!  I know adults who can't or won't do that.  Myself sometimes included.  And every birthday and Christmas since we moved has included at least one item of Packers paraphernalia.  From stuffed dolls of Aaron Rodgers to shirts to dresses to hats and scarves, to cheeseheads, to nutcrackers, blankets, pajamas, and sleeping bags, she has it all.  I even made a cheesehead ornament for our Christmas tree since I didn't like any of the packer ornaments that were sold anywhere.  Yes, she bleeds green and gold.

So you can imagine her excitement when we told her we were heading to Green Bay for the Packer Family Night.  She was beyond excited.  We had never even been there to see the stadium, let alone go inside.  She looked like this the entire ride there:

We caravanned up with some friends who were also going so we could park by each other and tailgate.  We found out later that we knew several people who went.  Next year maybe we'll all coordinate more so we can hangout.



We got tattoos of course.  Then on to the pro shop for some souvenirs.  I got some earrings and a necklace (and a clear bag to take stuff into the stadium later), Eric got a shirt and a hat, and Emma got some socks and a foam finger.  She's wanted a foam finger for awhile.  We also got something else to hang on our Christmas tree, although as I sit here typing this I can't remember what it is.  I guess I'll be surprised this winter!

There were some students from some college there in the atrium building the stadium out of legos.

Aren't the players cute?

In a replica of Aaron Rodgers' locker.

Ate Brats and grilled corn, some pasta salad and had some chips and cookies (the corn makes this an acceptable and healthy meal don't you know) and enjoyed the company of our friends.  Then it was time to line up to go inside.  We made our way to the gate closest to where our seats were, and were herded inside along with everyone else.  We had some great seats!  And that was just lucky, because you couldn't choose where your seats were.

Enjoying some down time while we got dinner ready.

Our view.  Pretty good huh?  This picture is a little out of order, obviously, as the night lights are on.

Emma was thrilled every moment we were there.  And then when the team finally came out and she saw Aaron Rodgers - well, we could have gone home right then and she would have been satisfied.  We decided to stay though and watch the team warm up and play some scrimmage and have some kicking contests etc.  The fireworks at the end were a nice touch too.

She wanted to wear as much Packer stuff as she could in this picture, which is why she's wearing both her hat and her cheesehead, along with her hoodie around her waste.  Goodness!

I think the most shocking/amazing part of the day was when we were leaving (along with the other 63,000 people) and were trying to make our way out of the parking lot and to the freeway.  EVERYONE was taking their turn, and I didn't hear a single car horn.  Packer fans are the best!  At least my experience is that they are extremely polite.  Maybe things at an actual game would be different...against Bears fans or something...

Attempted Vacation pt.2

We came home along a slightly longer, but more scenic route.  We decided to drive through the night again so we could arrive at Mount Rushmore in the morning when the light hits it the best.  I admit to looking for Cary Grant the entire time we were there.  =)  But even though we didn't see him, it was fun seeing the monument in person.  Very impressive.

Emma enjoyed much more room on the return trip.  She could actually spread out on the back seat!  Much nicer.

The focus is not on her, but this is Emma trying to be a part of the monument.

Then we went to Badlands National Park.  This was fabulous!  So beautiful.  The most amazing part was when we first arrived.  You drive along and all around you as far as you can see is this wonderful prairie grass, like this:

Then suddenly and without warning, you come upon views like these:

I would love to go back when we have more time and do some hiking there.  Also maybe not in the middle of the summer. 

Emma's favorite thing there was seeing all the prairie dogs.  There were so many of them!
We heard them squeaking to each other.  Way too cute!

We drove further and found a place to stay overnight and were very ready to sleep.  The next day we finished our drive without any problems.

On our way, we wandered off the beaten path a little to visit Walnut Grove, MN to see some Laura Ingalls stuff.  On our way there we saw magnificent farmland.  Just amazing. 

Wading in Plum Creek

We finally arrived home late that night, after a long drive, including a quick stop to see our state capitol.  The building is really pretty lit up at night.  

At a rest stop Eric found this little frog and let Emma hold him.

I loved being with my family.  They are amazing.  I always have a good time with them.  Never enough of it though.  And it was wonderful getting together with some of my dear friends.  I hope to come back to visit again soon!