Well, for our 2 and 3yr old boys, hiking is one of their favorite pastimes. We have been hiking a lot lately and this time I was sure to drag the camera along. Each time we go the boys become more confident and independent in their skills. The big phrase for Baker is "you didn't know I could do that?" No, Baker, we had no idea you could scale walls without your Spidey costume.

After the food thing on Saturday we went to the Killdeer Mountains. We had done this hike our first weekend in town and it was quite rough. I am guessing that was b/c it was November and it was with a 5 month old and a 21 month old. Ouch, what were we thinking? This time was much better. The boys DID NOT WANT HELP. Beau especially. If he saw Baker climb it on his own then dang it- he could do it to. He is def becoming more independent or perhaps just prideful. Anyways, they say it is a 1/2 mile hike to the top and well, we went up and down in 2 hours, so I would like it say it is longer than a 1/2 mile each way.

I tried to incorporate as many action photos as I could here. I really hope you can see their independent, conquer all spirits. We couldn't stop until we were at the absolute top. Then Baker wanted to try 2 more mountains and we were like- NO, one is enough for today. Plus, as you can imagine, going down is not always the easiest part. We did have to do some carrying there.

We all had a lot of fun. I think Brian was most surprised that I could do it is so well with the belly and all. It can get in the way sometimes. It was a nice cool day though, so that helped. We are sure to never over exert me.... since we saw where that can lead.

Anyways, just really wanted to share this (especially with our parents). I know they would have all loved to see them. We always tell Baker how proud they would be of him that he can hike so well. It is extra incentive.

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Cheese buttons

I know for most of you summer is still in full swing, but for us we know it will quickly be coming to an end. Some mornings and evenings you can feel the fall breeze settling in. It is nice b/c fall is our favorite season, BUT NOT IN AUGUST! The other morning when Brian went to work it was 48 degrees! That was a shocker. Anyhow, so we have been as active as possible to soak up all our time outside before the snow comes.

North Dakota is made up of a lot of Eastern European immigrants. My dad says our family is from Texas and that is pretty much the end of the story. These people though, are very into their heritage. So, on Saturday we went to the "Northern Outpost Ethnic Food Festival". Yummy! It was located at this museum/park where they have relocated several old buildings. A school house from 1917 and a home from 1912, a railroad station, and a church. Baker found it very interesting.

Then, each "country" had their own little food stand. The Czechs were selling chicken noodle soup and kolaches, the Norwegians were selling Scandinavian waffles. We had sausage on a stick and fry bread (see pic) made by the Germans from Russia, who inconsequently could not tell me what a German from Russia was. Hmmmm....

We also tried cheese buttons, which are HUGE up here. By far the dominating culture is Ukrainian. We even have a Ukrainian Cultural Institute in town. The cheese buttons were not so great. They were stuffed with potato, cheese, and sauerkraut. You can see that they don't even look good. Anyways, it was really fun to try and be there with some of the townspeople.

You'll have to see the next blog to the rest of our adventuresome Saturday.

Ice Cream Social

So, this last weekend Brian and I had an "ice cream social".

I saw the idea in my "Better Homes and Garden" issue and thought.... we just have to do that. And we did! I figured out it is much easier to entertain with just desert, and you can invite more people that way. We are party people and it had been a while since we had a party!

So, Baker and I made little ice cream cone invitations and sent them to his friends and our friends.

We had some people bring toppings and some bring their favorite flavor of ice cream. Then we set up our back yard into "areas" (I guess you would call it). We had the serving table on the deck. I tried my best to make it as festive as my mind would allow. I found some ice cream art and just tried to make it colorful. Then Brian set up a tent for the kids to play in, we had a fire pit area (b/c it is in the 50's at night), and an area with 2 tables for eating/visiting. Brian is very good at envisioning layouts and then putting them together. It didn't hurt that our backyard is huge and we had lots of room, but he really made the space useful.

So, people came and could make ice cream cones or sundaes or what most preferred to do was eat Julie Beam's famous peanut butter ice cream pie. Man, that thing is always such a hit! Then we just sat around and talked while the kids played. We had 32 guests, several of which weren't even 3ft tall, but they might have had the most fun of all.

So, from the pics you can see the set up and our friends and the kids. I was proud of our party b/c one- we did it, it takes courage you know to throw a party. And #2- people came! I don't know if it was just a low activity weekend or what- but we were thrilled that we had guests. I think it boosted our North Dakota confidence a bit that maybe people really do like us and making extra effort to be social does pay off, for more than just us.

I also made these spoon shape cookies. I wouldn't call them a success at all. They sure looked easier on Martha Stewart's website. Oh well.

And the last picture is just Beau bee dobee.

I think he had a mint chocolate chip ice cream cone and then a sundae with oreos on top (which you can see now cover his face). It was a very, very good night.