Last week Erin, Caden, and I were in Minnesota visiting my parents for the Labor Day holiday. The weather was great the whole week which was nice since we got to go out on the boat and play on the beach more then we did last year. Caden made it clear early on his favorite person was Grandpa Norm and really liked driving the pontoon with him. He also loved the balloons he got visiting his Great Grandma Carol, as well as all the cool new toys Grandma Cathy had waiting for him at the house. He ended up being so spoiled on this trip that during the week he didn’t want to sleep in the crib, but rather wanted you to just hold him.. Presumably for 8-10 hours, something he has never wanted you to do here at home!

We got to go to the Minnesota State fair where we ate lots of yummy fried foods, both on sticks and off. Some of my favorites included the always amazing fried cheese curds, the fried pickles, and the new this year, sweet corn ice cream! Caden got a little tired of sitting in his stroller the whole day, but I think he still had a fun time. Next year will probably be better since he will be old enough to really appreciate all the cool things to see, do, and of course eat at the fair!

Just like previous years my parents neighborhood had their annual block party/tractor parade event that they call “Bouja”. Our entry this year was inspired by the Disney movie UP which just so happens to be Caden’s new favorite movie. My Mom got a helium tank and a whole bunch of balloons and we attached them to the top of the golf cart. Then Erin, Caden, and I rode in it for the parade. When it was all said and done we won the decorating contest and my Mom and Norm took the trophy home with them! After the parade one of the neighborhood couples was celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary that day and set it up to renew their wedding vows, complete with violins and an online ordained minister (their Son). The party after was also a lot of fun and Norm and I tied for first in the Corn Hole tournament. I think we would have won outright but it got dark before we could play the final game so they decided it was a tie and everyone was winners.

Erin’s friend Mikki was nice enough to time the birth of her first baby with our visit to Minnesota so we were able to visit them while we where there as well. Baby boy Blake was born on August 28th and Erin and I went to see him a few days after they got home. He was very cute and at one point told me I was his favorite “non-family member with a goatee“. He also said it was his dream to live in Texas before he turned one year old. He was really talkative for a new born to be honest. Anyway, Mikki and Dan are doing great and have a beautiful baby boy to keep them busy now.

As you might expect I took a few photos when we were at home. I broke them up into three different albums on the Greatlandings Photo Site to help make things a little more manageable. There is one album for baby Blake in the Births & Kids category. Another for the Bouja party in the Events category. And finally one for our Labor Day 2011 – Minnesota pictures in the Holidays category. So make sure to check them all out.

Thanks to my parents for having us up and letting us take over their house, eat their food, and drink (lots and lots) of their booze for the week! Also thanks to the State Fair for all the yummy food, except the cheese curds, for them we have to thank God himself because no mortal can make something that tastes so amazing! Lastly thanks to the “Minnesota Girls” who turned Erin into a karaoke queen for the night. I’m already looking forward to next year!