State Fair

The kids, Paul and I headed to the great MN get together today. We met up with Mom & Kristin at 10 and didn't head home until 7! I can't believe we were there that long, much less both our kids survived! We started off the day with the "miracle of birth" building, where we saw a baby cow (born at 3AM) and a baby lamb (born at 9:30 AM). Then, it was time for food. Mini donuts, cheese curds, and a taste of a pronto pup. Then, it was time for Alex to eat and Mom to visit some buildings. We brought the kids over to KFAN and listened to the end of the PA & Dubay show. Then, it was time for more pronto pups, corn on the cob and caramel apples. We of course couldn't miss the big giant slide too-Anna went once with Paul and once with me. We hit the grandstand and then headed over to the kid Midway, after a frozen banana. Anna loved the rides. She went on a car ride with Paulie. Then, she wanted to do tilt a whirl. Let me state for the record that I do not do tilt a whirl, but I couldn't let just her & Paul do it (she'd be flying around). So, I braved the ride for my girl. It was not pretty-I could barely stand when it was done. Then, Anna wanted to go on a balloon ride with Kristin. We said good-bye to Kristin & Mom around 2 and then watched the parade. Anna loved all the action! We explored a couple more buildings, had corn fritters & fried green tomatoes, and headed back to the KFAN stand to feed Alex again (with hot french fries). Now, a side note. We listen to Barreiro pretty regularly-especially during the fair. One of his favorite rants is double wide strollers at the fair-he can't stand them. As we were contemplating which transportation to use for the kids, we knew he'd probably rip on us if we brought the double wide stroller for our kids. Within minutes of him starting, he tells us he sees the stroller & continues to rip on us about it (and the cost!). Him talking about the Zooper led Maren to be able to find us and catch up with us! We couldn't leave the KFAN area without getting Barreiro's picture with the kids in the double stroller. Too funny. We became BFF later with him when he hopped on our bus going back to the U (who knew such celebrities ?!? would be on the bus). He's a pretty nice guy. After leaving KFAN, we headed to get kettle corn & changed Anna into dry clothes(she had a little accident with the lemonade in the stroller). Then, off to the swine barn to see sheep & pigs. Anna loved it. Then, finally at around 5:30, Anna passed out (in her pig headband...too funny!). Paul & I grabbed a couple more things to eat while we had 2 quiet kids...a chicken & wild rice burrito & a cinnamon sugar crepe and Paul finished his night off with a big slab of bacon. We had a great day, and enjoyed our time together as a family. Alex was a superstar for his first visit to the fair and we of course enjoyed our sampling of food across the fair!

5 months old

Alex turned 5 months old today. Of course, he's our little peanut...here he's a peanut M&M! At 5 months, Alex smiles, laughs, coos, grasps toys, mouths objects, rolls over in both directions and loves his big sister (and us!). He is such a happy, happy baby. He recently has found his fists and his toes. He loves playing with his feet and putting his fists in his mouth, or sometimes just his finger (like this picture).

Trying Rice Cereal

Alex tried rice cereal tonight! He loved putting his fists in his mouth. Tried again the next day & didn't go as well, but the inaugural night went well.

Cabin Days

The kids & I headed to Deer Lake straight from Larsmont (with a complete Anna meltdown on the way) to meet my sister for a couple days of R&R at the cabin. It was a little stressful getting prepared for the kids to be gone that long (and we're leaving for a 12 days on Saturday), but once we were there, it was nice to have a little more time to just relax. Sunday night, Kristin & I just enjoyed dinner from Paninos, gave Anna a bath, and watched Olympics. Monday morning, we headed to Embers for breakfast, and shopping at Walmart. We napped a bit that afternoon and my friend Maren came up for the afternoon that day. Anna hit the pool at the lake that afternoon. We chilled, ate dinner, watching "Vantage Point", & watched Olympics that night. Tuesday, we went for a walk and enjoyed swimming off the boat before heading home. Now, it's time to get settled before heading to the Dells for the Mattson family reunion starting Saturday.

Global 10 Year Reunion

It's hard to believe that 10 years ago, I headed on the adventure of a lifetime with 27 basic strangers and Ted & Michelle. Last weekend, we celebrated our 10 year reunion at Larsmont Cottages, just south of Two Harbors, MN. We had a big turnout and had a lot of fun. Paul, the kids and I (and Docia) headed up after work on Thursday night. We enjoyed the resort, being on the lake and seeing the moon on the lake that night. Friday, the moms that were there (& Paul and Kirst J.) headed out with the kids for a walk. Blake Prouty & Anna became good friends & liked sitting next to each other, for at least a while. That afternoon, we just enjoyed hanging out at the resort. A lot of people trickled in as the day progressed and those that were there enjoyed dinner at Black Woods in Two Harbors that night. Friday night, we hung out at the campfire and partied it up, including a little global dance party in Ted & Michelles cabin. Saturday morning, we headed to Gooseberry Falls with the BFG (big frickin group). More chilling that afternoon and a global BBQ & slide show that night. We enjoyed more time between cabins that evening and just being together. Sunday, we capped off the weekend with a brunch at the resort. We had such a good time together, it was hard to leave. We were so lucky to be close together and hang out so much after the kiddos went to bed. I truly am blessed to have had my global experience and truly treasure the friendships that I have kept throughout the last 10 years.

Blake & Anna on our walk-- A view of our cottage

The family, as the moon is coming out on the lake The family at Gooseberry (if only Alex knew how to look @ the camera!)
The group that walked down to the Lake from Gooseberry
The global kids: Alex, Madelynne Miner, Anna, Alexis & Josh Hansen, Meredith Reise with Keira Hanson on lap, Bella Hanson with Elaine Reise on lap, Soren Townsend & Blake Prouty

On the Move

Over the last week or two, Alex is proficiently moving from his back to his tummy. A couple times last night, he crawled over to his tummy and didn't like being there so he cries enough for us to come get him. But, thankfully other than that he's sleeping through the night...definately until Anna wakes up. Hooray. But, we know now that Alex has this rolling thing figured out, it won't be long before he figures out he can roll over & over again to reach Anna!

Off to the global 10 year reunion this weekend. Hard to believe it's been 10 years since that great adventure.

Play time pictures

Here's a few pictures of our fun time outside.

Anna playing at the beach with her friends (Minnetonka Regional Park)-
Anna swinging with her pigtails and crocs!!
Anna pushing her baby on our walk to the park as I pushed Alex

Cute Family Pics

We had to get a current family picture done for our upcoming global reunion this weekend to share. Here it is. Sups cute, as the global group would say. Also, here's a cute picture of Anna & Alex, just chilling on the blanket on the floor (this has become our standard place to lay and watch the olympics, a must at the Mattson household...we even had a picnic on Saturday in the family room).

Potty Time

It finally happened...Anna used the potty and it's not all over our bathroom! No reason to have a universal celebration because since that day she hasn't sat on or it or used it. But, it was a momentous occasion. To save my daughters dignity, I will not share the picture with everyone. Last night, after Anna went to bed she heard baby crying and started to cry out "daddy, potty, daddy potty". So, Paul put her on the potty and we all sat in there with her for 20+ minutes. I was tired of waiting with her, so I went downstairs. It was close to 9:30 at this point and didn't want to encourage a stall tactic, if that's what it was. Paul went to get Anna a bandaid for a scrap on Anna's knee and when he came back, she had peed in her potty. I guess she just wanted alone time!