Post Vacation Meal Plan Monday

We came home to a totally empty fridge.

Luckily I had already planned out our meals and grocery list so we shouldn't end up eating out too much.  Which is good since I plan to spend every second this week either unpacking, organizing Josie's new curriculum, or snuggling this little man.

BREAKFAST:
Fruit & Yogurt, Egg Wrap, Boiled Egg & Toast, Oatmeal

LUNCH:
Soup, Grilled Cheese, Smoothie, Salad w/ Egg

DINNER:
Monday - Darlene's
Tuesday - Lasagna, Garlic Bread, Salad, Broccoli
Wednesday - Hot Dog Wraps, Fries
Thursday - Burgers, Fries
Friday - Enchilladas, Mexican Rice
Saturday - Baked Mac & Cheese, Green Beans, Salad
Sunday - Ranch Steak, Potatoes, Salad

A couple of these may get pushed to next week if we have tons of leftovers!

80 Years In The Making

Our Minnesota Vacation was just what I was needing.  I feel like I got to do everything that I wanted to and for sure filled up my family love tank.

But our main reason for our trip was to celebrate Papa Moose's 80th birthday.

It's been a rough year for my Grandpa.  He's fighting a battle with cancer that I am 100% convinced he is going to win.  

If anyone deserves to be honored and celebrated it's him and I think the party was a total success!

The party was at a bar in Minneapolis that my Grandpa's been a customer of since he was 17.  It was such a fun place with a ton of character.  Just like our Papa Moose!

He used to deliver Grain Belt Beer so that was the theme.

My Aunt brought one of his old uniforms!  SO COOL!

It was amazing to see all the people that came out to celebrate with him.  These pictures do not do justice to how crowded the place was!

Josie was on her best behavior.  I'm pretty sure she made the rounds and talked with everyone at least once.

My other Grandparents were able to make it out too!  It was awesome to have them all together!

Josie has been Papa Moose's little side kick the whole week!  So of course I knew just where to find her when it was cake time!

I can't remember the last time all my cousins were together.  We had a blast!

My Grandpa is for sure Josie's main squeeze, but he is one of my biggest heros too.

The more I learn about his life, the more amazed I am.  He raised amazing children who in turn raised amazing children.  I know that who I am, and the faith that I have, all started with the standards he set in place.  I don't have a lot of distinct memories of our times together, but I do remember him as a steady presence.  Which I find more comforting then a thousand events.

I pray for him daily.  And I can't wait for the day we get the amazing report from the Doctors that I know is coming soon.

Happy Birthday Grandpa.  May your 81st year be filled with a lot less discomfort and a lot more victory.

Food On A Stick

Now That's A Fair!

I love the State Fair.

Last year I tried to replace my fair craving with the Byron Fair.  It did not live up to my expectations.

You see, I grew up going to the Great Minnesota Get Together.  Which is the greatest fair on Earth!

So this year I purposely planned our Minnesota Vacation to coincide with the start of the fair.

And today, I finally cured my need for the fair!

Josie was so excited she woke up at 6 AM yelling about leaving for the fair.  I may have pumped her up just a wee bit with all my fair excitement!

It took me approximately 15 steps from the entrance to obtain my first food on a stick.  

Welcome back Corn dogs!  I've missed you!

Josie inhaled what my Mom thought was her corn dog!

We met up with my big brother and headed to the Dairy Barn.

Where my favorite exhibit at the fair is.

Enter Butter Heads:

Yes, my good friends, that would be the Minnesota Dairy Princess's head carved out of a huge block of butter.

Only in Dairy Country people!

I'm not sure why I love the Butter Heads so much, but I do.  They make me laugh every time!

But this made me laugh even harder!

Pretty sure they didn't have to put that poor girls picture on the slab of butter!

The Dairy Barn also houses the freshest, creamiest, most yummy yummy ice cream in the World.

It was almost as big as my child's head!

We saw lots of stinky animals.

And then we took Josie on her very first fair ride, the carousel!

She loved it!

But it was a bit scary.  I seem to remember seat belts on these things.

Not so much.

And it was a wee bit windy up there.  They sent us around a billion times and let us off just before we all puked.

Sno Cones, Cookies, and one more round of Corn Dogs.

And this is the highlight of the fair.  I shed a tear for anyone who doesn't have a Giant Slide at their fair.

Aaron and I have been going down this baby for 25 years.  And it's still a total blast!

You go down on a huge potato sack!  I don't know if Josie or I squealed louder!

We had so much fun!  Did I mention I love the fair!?!?!

And if you needed any more proof that we had an amazing time, this was Josie 2.5 minutes after we got in the car:

Thank You Minnesota State Fair for being exactly what I remembered!

lazy summer days

We are having a great time in Minnesota.  The weather is perfect.  Almost fall-like but still warm.  My favorite.

We've been spending our days doing whatever we feel like.  Which happens to include:

Celebrating my brother's birthday with the best cheesecake ever!

playing t-ball/golf

and getting soaking wet with our clothes on!

I can't believe we only have 3 days left before we head home.

I am ready to see Andrew and Baby V, but I always hate leaving here.

Today is Papa Moose's big party and tomorrow we are spending the day at the State Fair!  I'm still pining for a trip to the Mall of America before we head out Saturday afternoon too.