If the Car is A-Rockin...

Giant Slide

State Fair

We went to the State Fair on Thursday. We spent a great amount of time trying out the tractors which is a yearly tradition. We watched the parade, rode some rides, ate some food on a stick and saw some interesting chickens. Nothing, of course, could compare to the giant slide.

Water Park

The boys had their first taste of water slide fun. They had so much fun sliding down on either mom or dad's lap. The challenge for the parent was to hit the water then raise the child above ones head so that though the parent might go under, the child would keep his head dry. Meanwhile Allie slept in the baby swing at the park's playground.

aMAZEing

After each rainfall we dash outside to our fresh, clean canvas and create a myriad of mazes. Each maze uses a full stick of sidewalk chalk as it winds its way up, down and sideways, swirling, zigzagging and dead-ending. We glean hours of enjoyment from each magnificent design.

Allie

Won't be long now until she is walking all by herself. For now she contents herself with pushing things around the room. At her 9 month check-up she weighed in at 20 lbs and 11 oz. She is 29 1/2 inches tall.

Cutie Pie

Loved the boat. Hated the life jacket.

Family Reunion

The Johnson family reunion was a smash hit! 32 Johnson/Sodergren family members were at our house today. Thank God for nice weather. Everything was a smashing success. My favorite part was the three event Toilet Paper Olympics. The events included a relay race, poetry crafting (an Ode to Toilet Paper) and the TP Wrap. Here are some finer moments. The boys also had some fun times with the other kids. The only bad note is that Derek's dad, Bryant, wasn't able to make it. He started having chest tightness on Saturday and is hospitalized. He will be having a double bypass on Monday. Please keep him in your prayers.

Visitors from Japan

We enjoyed our visit with Jeff and Melissa who traveled from Okinawa Japan to visit us. We also had Greg and Anna in from Chicago. We filled the three days we had with a great mini golf outing. Greg had a difficult start-you know what I mean Greg!- but all managed to play very well. Tyler was adorable as a little golfer. He was so serious and wouldn't accept any help. I think he had a few holes where he made par, honest to goodness. Papa Bryant is so proud. We followed up that event with a night out for the siblings. We went to Dave and Busters and had dinner and then played arcade games. Head to head competition has never been so much fun.
The following day everyone came to our house for dinner. We played a rousing game of run-down-also known as pickle. We were joined by Uncle Vic and cousin Eric from Iowa. The impressive play of the night was when Nate slide tackled Uncle Vic. RESPECT YOUR ELDERS, BOY! Hopefully no one was too sore the next day. There is something to be said for those good old backyard games. The next day we all went out on a pontoon boat on Lake Minnetonka. We stopped for a swim and otherwise just motored around the lake. We ended our visit by being served an authentic Japanese meal. I can't believe my brother (with Melissa's help) is a better cook than me. Okay, I believe it. Though I have improved, somewhat. We wish we had had a longer time but maybe someday we can get out to visit them wherever they may be.

Backyard Baseball

And so it begins. Backyard baseball at its best. The boys have fun hitting the ball and running bases. Tyler has been enjoying fielding ground balls thrown to him. He throws it back and then jumps and giggles while it is in the air. He still says he wants to be a soccer player (and a drummer) but it is nice to know if that doesn't work out he has something to fall back on.