Twins Game

The sunset behind us, from our seats

The view from section 314, row 14!

Saturday, Pat, Leah, Mike and I headed to our first Twins game at Target Field. We left the boys at my parents' house and headed for the cities. We decided on the way down to stop in Maple Grove for lunch. After lots of pondering, "I don't care"s, "I don't want that", we decided on P.F. Chang's. Yum!

After our wonderful lunch, we headed for the stadium. It was a little early, but we figured we'd want/need a little time to explore and figure things out once we got there.

We got to the stadium about an hour and a half before the start time of the game. We walked around a little, checked out the food, stores, cell phone charging stations???, and finally found our seats behind home plate. Section 314, row 14, seats 18, 19, 20 and 21. Yes, this THE highest row in the stadium. Even though we couldn't have sat any higher, the seats were still far better than most of the seats at the old Metrodome.

We settled in, people watched, spent $25 dollars on a snack, $7 on a beer, and took in a great game =)

About 5 minutes after we exited the stadium, rain. =)

Mini-Vacation

Kayden and Sydney napping together

Mike and I decided to take off work last Thursday and Friday so that we could spend some time at the cabin where his parents were spending the week. We took our camper out there Wednesday night and spent the night there. We spent Thursday relaxing, chasing kids, fishing, etc.

Thursday night we had volleyball. We took the boys to my parents' house and headed to the bar, knowing the forecast wasn't looking very good. We had a 7:15 game we got POURED on! We were soaked! We spent Thursday night at my parents' house and then headed back to the lake Friday morning.

Friday, between rain showers we watched the kids play in the sand, they swam a little, Kayden and Sydney got to go fishing, and for the second day in a row, we had all 5 kids napping at once!

Hot, hot, hot....

Kayden trying to cool off at the birthday party

This past weekend was a little more relaxing than our past few. We stayed home Friday night. Saturday we took the boys to my parents' house and we went to a badminton tournament/party with some of my friends from high school. We had a fun, relaxing time. Lots of food and drinks and chatting. We spent the entire day there and headed back to my parents' in time to help get the kids to bed. As soon as we got back to their house the weather got really bad. It was raining, and windy, and hailing...good thing we left the outdoor party when we did!

Sunday we went to Mike's grandpa's 80th birthday party. The party was mostly outside and it was HOT! Needless to say, we hung out for a bit, but as soon as we were all done eating we headed back to Albany. It was way too hot and the kids needed naps.

This week, Mike's parents are staying at a cabin on Birch Lake, so we'll be spending some time there. Mike and I are off Thursday and Friday so we'll be there, hanging out with his family since it's supposed to continue to be really hot all week....

Benton County Fair

Kayden and Tyson watching cartoons

The petting area at the fair

Tyler taking a close look at the calf

Kayden posing with a big, green tactor

After a long, hot week of being on call last week, Mike got home a little early on Thursday. We decided it would be fun to take the kids to the Benton County Fair. So, we called Rhonda to see of she wanted to join us, and we were off. We picked up Rhonda in Sauk Rapids, found a tiny yard to park in for a small fee of $3.00, and loaded the kiddos in the stroller and headed for the gates. We started with the animal barns, where Kayden and Tyler enjoyed checking out all of the animals from chickens to cows to rabbits to reindeer. Next we checked out some of the big tractors (per Kayden's request), and then headed toward the rides. As soon as we got to where we could almost see the rides, we turned right back around and headed back to the animals. There were TONS of people crowded around the beer garden and the ride area. I couldn't believe how many teenage girls were there pushing babies around in strollers! Anyway, by this time , Tyson was awake, so we headed to the more interactive, petting area, and Mike and Rhonda took Kayden and Tyler to check out the animals and pick up germs while I sat on a bench to feed Tyson and people watch =)

Before we left we took in one quick pig race, and then headed back to the truck. Of course, Kayden had to go potty, so he peed in the parking lot (A.K.A someone's yard), we got Tyler in his P.J's and headed for home. By the time we got home, it was time put the kids to bed. We'll see if we attempt this again next year. Maybe Stearns County next time???

Some fun, Some not-so-fun....

We had a LONG weekend. My mom's brother passed away unexpectedly last week, so we spent most of the week dealing with everything that goes with an unexpected death in the family. By Thursday night there was lots of family at my parent's house, so we decided to just bring out camper there and spend the weekend in the camper, in order to leave the space in the house for "out-of-towners". Mike and I both took off work on Friday. We spent the day hanging out with family, making sure the boys got good naps in before the funeral/wake Friday night, and helping to get things ready. Friday late-afternoon we headed to Cold Spring for the wake/funeral and burial. Lots of tears, but lots of time spent with family.
Saturday was Heritage days in Albany. I was up bright and early to meet my friend Carly to do the 5K in town (my first). Of course, Mike was on call, so he worked most of the day and made it back just before the evening parade. I took the boys to town and met Eric and Amy. We spent about 10 minutes at the kids games when we decided it was WAY too hot and we headed back to Eric's. Kayden took a good nap there, and we just kind of hung out. We walked back to main street to get burgers for supper before the parade, and the headed to our blanket on the curb to watch the parade. As usual there were lots of people at Eric's house for the parade. Even Grandpa Ron and Grandma Doris decided to join us, which was nice since Grammy was in the parade and Grandpa was working at the hamburger stand. It was nice to have the extra hands to help with the boys during the parade. By the time the parade was over all three boys were exhausted and getting cranky, so we decided to head back to my parent's and get them ready for bed and possibly watch the fireworks from there. Shortly after we got back, we had Tyler in bed. Kayden watch the fireworks from the deck, but went to bed right after since he could hardly hold his eyes open any more.
Sunday was the church bazaar in Albany. Mike worked in the morning. By the time he got back it was raining, so we decided to pick up "to-go" chicken dinner from the bazaar and head to Eric's to eat. I had to work at the BINGO stand at 1:00, so Mike and the boys stayed at Eric's and then met me at church when my shift was over. Of course, as soon as I was done, it started pouring again! So, we decided to just head back and pack up our camper. We were all more than ready to head home after the long, exhausting weekend. By the time we actually got home, it was bedtime for Tyler, Kayden crashed on the living room floor, and Tyson headed right to bed.
The week ahead doesn't look too busy. Mike is on call until Thursday morning, so we usually don't plan much during that time. Tuesday night I have a work meeting, so the kids will go to my parent's since Mike might have to work. No volleyball Thursday. Badminton tournament on Saturday??? =)