Also known as… 4 out of 5 kids now have glasses, which all happened in the span of a month (do NOT ask Ken about the cost… I think he is still a little queasy). 

First was the twins, who apparently needed glasses for a while but didn’t want to bother us as it wasn’t impacting their computer gaming. Sheesh. The down side to having kids with identical features, the glasses they chose really are NOT different. Same fact shape after all. Gavin is on left in each of these. 

Poor Emanuel, we waited a bit long to go in for his update and his eyes had progressed quite a lot. Then, like the day after he had his eye exam he fell down the stairs and broke the old glasses anyway. (Fun fact, he is also the child we paid for the insurance plan on the glasses)

Trinity looked through her friend Elizabeth’s glasses while they were at the YMCA in the workout area and realized she could see better through those. After calming her down and wiping her tears that evening we booked her in for a test too. Luckily the weekend before I went in for myself so was able to scope out the glasses options. SPARKLES! 

4 kids, 4 pairs of glasses… one kid put out because she actually WANTED glasses but her vision is just fine… figures!!! Genetics! Gavin is in the back.

We entered so many things this year and EVERYONE did very well, so for the most part this is really just a lovely series of pictures of people’s entries and ribbons. But first, Some of the fun is picking them out when Ken and I go to the fair to see what is what. 

Echo

Trinity

Emanuel – this was his last year in the younger kids’ category.

Gavin

Zander

Myself

Well July was certainly a month of company. Not only did Karyn come for a visit (HERE), but so did Jeff and Shawna! We had so much fun. This was our first time meeting Shauna in person (well, everyone except Ken) which was so exciting.

First off… Shawna’s a wizard at doing hair… and Trinity loved it, Echo also got her hair done. 

We had a few planned outings. First off… the long delayed trip to Fort Snelling. So much to see on a beautiful day. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

The other big trip was all the way to Wisconsin and Ren in the Glen. It was the kids’ first renaissance festival. Much more affordable than the bigger on Ken and I go to yearly, but just as much fun. Shawna did Trinity’s hair for her and I lent her one of my sari skirts.

Echo pulled out all the stops with her fairy wings.

We had a blast.

Grandpa Mike sent each of the kids some money to spend. Trust me those purchases were VERY carefully considered! I do believe we will try and go again!

Unicorn fairy!

The rest of our visit was spent just enjoying everyone’s company. We ate out, ate in, drank a little, went all out with a late night booze fest. It was amazing. I cannot wait until they visit again. Shawna even came to a R.I.P.P.E.D class with me!!! Talk about adventurous! Who knows, maybe before too long we can return the favour and visit them back home? Fingers crossed!

BW3!