Alaska State Fair

Last night we met up with Dustin and Melinda and the boys at the fair. Our friend Aaron who carves AMAZING Alaskan art from whale bone and had a booth at the fair got us free tickets and parking (Thanks again!) His booth won Best Vendor Booth- he made the outside look like a cabin and carved Barret's Carvings into it. (See "Debbie" on my sidebar, she has a link to his site, considering she's married to him and all:))

The boys of course loved the rides best of all. Jack loved the roller coaster (or "choo-choo" as he called it) best of all and would have only gone on that ride over and over again had we let him.

Tate was my little star in this ADORABLE fleece "star" shaped suit. We got so many compliments on it, thanks again Val!

Vicky entered her quilt off her bed to the fair quilt show. Jeremy's sister Stephanie pieced the top and Vicky quilted it and finished it. It made the main aisle, I was so proud of them:)

Wrapping Up Summer

Well, the fair is almost here which is the sure sign that fall is on deck. We have exactly 3 months of summer, no more. September, while sometimes warm for Alaska, is most certainly not proper summer weather-- although after the summer we've had, don't get me started on proper summer weather. Meteorologists all over the state have changed their names and phone numbers to ward off the angry mobs that have been created in protest to the abnormally cool and rainy summer. Typically, August is our rainy month- this year, summer was our rainy month. Needless to say, we have been thinking about a warm destination for a winter vacation.. besides, we need to use these air miles that we've been saving before they do away with the program altogether or start charging you for each piece of clothing you're wearing as well.

Last week, we did another Bouncin Bears run. We met up with Steph and Debbie with kids in tow. No pics this time, what was I thinking!?

I was on top of things this year and got my Halloween costumes early. Last year, everything sold out before I got around to ordering anything.
This will be Tate's costume:
And Jack's:

I'm still trying..

to get better at updating my blog more. I really thought I would have more free time on my hands now that I'm staying home, but these two little guys have proven otherwise. I know I keep saying that, but it just seems to be on my mind lately. Seriously have a whole new respect for all mothers, everywhere! 2 year old + baby= exhausting.

I have finally met with Megan and given her her wedding present 9 months late... because I'm classy like that. ..does the 1 year rule apply here too? (Okay, okay.. I do not really believe in the 1 year rule, just trying to make myself feel better!) My in-laws were nice enough to climb the jungle gym, Vicky holding both Tate and the quilt, to let me get this picture:

It's a full/queen and the most involved project I've done to date but it was fun. I'm sure I'll have more to follow, I definitely have enough fabric!

We have been hooked on the Olympics.. although am I the only person who feels a little bad for all the other swimmers who have no chance when Michael Phelps is in the pool? It's just so fun to see someone who really gets excited about winning, the underdog.. Anyways, it's been fun to watch at night, I'll be a little sad when it's over.

Has anyone else been watching??

The Preciousness...

If you can resist those big blue eyes.. you are a stronger person than I.

Lost camera, Woman's Conference and too much on one plate...

Those are my excuses as to why it's been so long since I've posted!
A LOT has happened!

Grandpa Lehnhausen and Tate

Tate was blessed last Sunday, July 27th. We did it a week early because that was one of the few weekends my dad has been home all summer. He has been fighting the fires in California. (although in his case, "fighting" is a loose term. He has the cushy job of driving the "Fire SUV" around and talking to the media.)

After Tate's blessing, we had dinner at my parents house and all of Jeremy's family came as well. It was such a nice day! A friend in our ward wrote down Tate's blessing in sacrament meeting as Jeremy was giving it and gave it to us afterward. She said she does it for all baby blessings, what a great idea! We were so thankful.

Because it's been a little on the overcast side, we have been trying to find ways to entertain the kids indoors. There is a new place here that recently opened called "Bouncin Bears", a large room with 10 or so of those bouncy "things" you see at the fair... Slides, obstacles courses, etc.

Jack went with his cousins and had so much fun!! I bought a 10 pass, so we will definitely be back!

Yesterday, I was in the kitchen finishing up a sewing project/birthday present before church. This project to be exact:

In my peripheral vision I saw a black dog come up to the sliding glass door and put his snout on the glass. I called to Jeremy- "Jeremy-- there's a big dog at the door" in a lackadaisical way. He always goes out and scares the stray dogs away so they don't poop on the lawn.

Anyways, Jeremy walks into the kitchen and says" Laura, that's not a dog. That's a bear." That bear would've walked right into the house had that slider been open-- scary!! He was small, but a bear nonetheless. He had already wandered to the front yard by the time we got these pics: