Summer lingers on!

It's hot and dry in MN. We haven't had a decent rainfall in about two months. It's also harvest time for farmers, so we're living in a dust bowl. It sort of feels like summer has been extended by a month and we're making the most of it!

There's been lots of action in the sand box lately. Weston showed us that he LOVES LOVES LOVES to dig with his big bro!


And maybe eat a little of the stuff, too....

Westy also enjoyed his first taste of real cow's milk this last week. His only complaint was that it was a bit cold. Aaaaah, he'll get used to it right quick!

Mommy and daddy had a date with Uncle Charlie and Auntie Angie last night in Minneapolis. We went to the State Theater to laugh at Jim Gaffigan. Mission accomplished -- our abs are sore and we're tired today! The boys cousins stayed with various grandparents and had fun date nights of their own. Unfortunately I have no photographic evidence of any of the above activities, so you'll just have to trust me.

On to today... We made the most of the hot sumall (or sumtumn? Anyway, cross between summer and fall) day by stirring up the dust in the pumpkin patch at Grandma's Little Acre. It was a race to find the best pumpkin!

Weston took his sweet time, though. He explored all options carefully.

And settled on this one until he realized it was a little on the heavy side.

Soon after, Miles decided that big ol' pumpkin was a good spot to take a rest.

After some solid afternoon naps (mommy included), we returned home to Otown to fill up our bellies with chili and support the local fire department. Tanner and I have gone to the chili feed every year since we moved to town (n=4). Miles has gone the same number of times, except the first year he was still in my belly...but it counts! Weston has shown his support for the fire fighters twice - once in my belly and now this year as a fan of the bread and crackers they serve. It is a really fun event that draws quite a crowd! Good food and all sorts of fire trucks to climb on and equipment to test. Unfortunately several firemen were called out to two crop fires within the first 90 minutes of the fundraiser. Upon their second return, Miles helped reload a 500 gallon tank with water from a fire hydrant. Not an easy job, but he took it all in stride and worked up quite an appetite!

Both boys took a truck for a spin around the block.

In the mean time, Tanner took the obligatory Owatonna Fire Ass'n shot. We now have four pictures exactly like this one. It doesn't change from year to year, but alas...he takes the dang picture anyway and laughs just as hard each time (because he's sooooo funny).

Oh yes, and I was there too :)

Next weekend is Westy's big birthday. We've got some planning to do for his big 0-1! It's sure to be a load of fun.