Garden update: We're getting vegetables!

During the past few weeks our little garden has grown tremendously! Pretty soon we'll be able to harvest our vegetables!
Green beans!
Bell peppers!
Jalapeños!
Tomatoes!
Watermelon!
Cucumbers!

Our Pioneer Days potluck

Here are some highlights from our church Pioneer Days potluck!

There was a pumpkin pie-eating contest! Here is Jason chowing down. He won second place (I thought he actually tied)
Closer up
Here's the kids in their pie-eating contest
Tire rolling contest
Sophie

Jason turns 31!

On Thursday, we celebrated Jason's birthday!
Here Jason is with his 31 candles!
Blowing out the candles!
The cake before the candles went in!
Sophie's gift to Jason for his birthday! (it's a little blurry!)
Jason's main birthday gift was these new rims for his truck that he got for a super deal from a scrap yard. They're going to look really nice on the truck once it is all finished!

Swimming adventures

Well, today we decided to go swimming. We weren't quite sure how Sophie would react because she still freaks out sometimes in the bath tub, but we got her in her swimsuit and went down to the City Beach to swim at the lake (well Jason and Sophie did). Let's just say Sophie didn't like anything attached to that trip. She HATED being in the water and even cried when she was in the sand. Don't think we'll be going back any time soon. I wonder if the city pool would be any different ...

After Sophie came out of the water she leeched on to me and wouldn't let me put her in the sand.
After Jason and Sophie got out of the water, he sat her down near the edge of the lake but she still freaked out ...
Here they were when they went out into the lake.
Here's Sophie clinging to Daddy.

Flowers!!

The flowers in our backyard are progressing well! Here's a few of the highlights!

Parade and Ski Show!

The best time of year to be in Albert Lea is the Fourth of July! During the last two days we've been to the Bayside Ski Show and the Third of July Parade! Here's a few highlights! Granted, right now it's kind of crazy with Sophie at these things because she wants to be let loose (so they'll probably be more fun next year!)


Third of July Parade
Jason and Sophie!
Sophie looking around
Some of the other floats


Albert Lea Mayor Mike Murtaugh (who happen's to be our friend, Geri's husband :)
Bayside Ski Show!
I must say, I think it's pretty awesome that Albert Lea has something like this!

Sophie hanging out during the show!