Lil' Kickers

On Saturday, Mallory had the opportunity to learn a few dance moves from the Forest Lake "Kickers" - or dance team. She spent the morning learning some steps, and the members of the dance team taught them a few routines. If you scroll down you can watch two different videos from their "production" at the end of their workshop. Friday night Mallory gets to perform at the halftime show of the High School Football Game - should be fun! The First Graders
The Whole Group - Lots and Lots of Little Girls!

First Grade Dance Video

Group Finale

Minnesota State Fair 2010

Now I know many of you have seen these pictures already, but I wanted to be sure and add them to our Family Blog. The Thursday night before school began, Jason, Mallory and I headed to the Fair and then to the Mercy Me Concert! We had a lot of fun, and the pictures tell it all!
First we had to play some games - Jason and Mallory were both winners!

Don't you just love the games where it's a guaranteed win?!

Mallory had a difficult choice to make deciding on which stuffed animal to pick!

Jason even got in on the game playing and won a bear!

I was amazed at all of the judging competitions, so I had to take a few pictures to share with you. I have never been to any state fair, not even the Texas State Fair, so I just thought it was a Matagorda County Fair but on a much grander scale....and I was right...a much grander TEXAS sized scale! I was in awe of the Christmas Tree judging, and can't wait to decorate for Christmas!

The food was unbelieveable! We couldn't pass up the Cheese Curds!

Minnesota Wine Awards

Mallory just had to have Cotton Candy! Yum!

Apple Judging

Seed Awards

Between eating and the concert, a huge downpour greeted us - and this was the result!

Sweet Martha's Cookies with cold milk - it didn't get any better than that!

This would be Mallory's first concert to ever attend....she didn't care for the loud drums!

By the time Mercy Me was on stage she was jamming with the rest of us!

Joel Hanson - Opener of the Concert - actually leads worship at a church we were visiting.

Jeremy Camp

Before Mercy Me made it to the stage, we grabbed some popcorn!

Thanks to my friend Liz, I met her youth pastor named Joel, twelve years ago. Through the years, he has changed jobs, I've moved a lot, but I know that if Mercy Me is around, he'll be there too! Joel, Mercy Me's Road Manager, and friend through the years, met us after the concert. There he got to meet my family, and Mallory and Jason got to meet the band! :) I've seen Joel in various cities and he's always been gracious enough to meet me and the friends that I bring! Thanks Joel! Mallory will never forget the opportunity she had at her first concert!

Joel, Mallory and I

The State Fair was definitely a day to remember!

TWINS

Jason and I needed a day out - so we bought some cheap tickets and headed to the Twins game. Here are a few things I observed:

My first thoughts after seeing these guys work is, "are they hiring?" I really think I would do a good job at this...I could make a career out of it, don't you think?

Softball Time

Mallory has begun to show interest in Softball, so our afternoons after school consist of a few games! We're trying to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible before the weather gets too bad. Daddy helping out

Marissa always has to take part!

Marissa's New "ride"

TUBES

Marissa had her first hospital visit last Thursday. Due to five ear infections, it was time for her to have tubes put in. We all were awake by 5:30am, and made our way in preparation of the 5 minute surgery. Marissa was definitely being taken care of by big sis Mallory, who had done this 3 times herself.
She was a trooper and did great!

Spaghetti + Marissa = a total MESS

Jason kept telling me to avoid Spaghetti and Meat sauce with Marissa - it would create a total mess. Well, due to my Italian desire, I cooked it anways and this is what we saw with Marissa's first taste of Spaghetti and Meat Sauce! I've also included a video at the end...after dinner the girls jumped right into the bath tub!