Today is Phoebe's first day of pre-school.  Just a few hours and I'm already a bit lost by all this.  I went from being on summer vacation with Phoebe to watching all the neighborhood kids walk to school today while I slouched back in my shorts, t-shirt, and unbathed body.  Today would have been my first day back to work.  I'm not too bothered, but I have been having many intense dreams about losing Phoebe in public.  But more than anything, I feel like a total slacker with Phoebe going to pre-school and Alisa going to work while I sit on the internet.  I'll enjoy this time because downtime will evaporate quickly once kid #2 comes around.

Phoebe and I did some travelling up to Minot last week and spent a full wee hanging out and enjoying the time.  Quiet for the most part.  I helped Loren out a few evenings and that weekend.  It was good to hang out and chat with him.   His rebuild is coming along nicely and he and Joe hope to move in around Halloween.  Thanks for the great visit in Minot everyone!

Our garden is out of control.  Lots and lots of squash and red peppers.  That's a good problem to have.  

Cooking down apples for sauce on the outdoor system.  It does more than just beer!

Phoebe was really into using Grandma's calculator.

Phoebe was due for a haircut, so we just went to my mom's beautician.  Nicely done!

Loren working.

Joe and Loren's house.

After the flood, Ramstad was demolished.  This is the remainder of my old Junior High.
The town I grew up in really doesn't exist to me anymore.  The home we grew up in has been demolished as well. 

Phoebe's been enjoying the sweet corn lately.
At Grandma and Papa's, she ate this piece like it was a
bag of M&Ms.

Loren getting roped into drawing pictures--mostly of  Cinderella.
Loren visited us last weekend to attend a Jamey Johnson concert at the MN State Fair

Outdoor burner: for cooking down produce, and of course, for brewing beer!

 Summer's going strong for us here.  Phoebe and I are spending a lot of our time in the backyard playing in her small pool or working in the garden.  Speaking of, our garden is awesome.  While 80% of the US is sadly in a drought, I guess we are in the 20% where the conditions are absolutely perfect for farming (or micro-urban farming in our case).  We have more squash than we'll know what to do with, I pulled a dozen cucumbers out yesterday, I'm ready to strip my 3rd batch of basil for pesto, and our peppers are doing great.  We've had a very warm to hot July, but not unbearable.  And about once a week or more, we get about 1-2" of rain.  Couldn't ask for better!

Alisa's feeling pretty good.  She doesn't complain to me much, which I take as a good sign.  She's pretty much just entering the 3rd trimester and her midwives think things are going well!  She's working many hours with her new position, but seems to be going well.

I've been running a lot again, but not nearly as much as I was training for the marathon.  I'm doing about 3-5 miles 3 days a week.  My physical therapist totally rebuilt me (literally: she changed my lower body alignment completely) and also given me running lessons as part of my therapy.  As a result, I'm running faster, stronger, longer, and (still) barefoot.  I'm registered to run the 10 mile race that is a little brother to the Twin Cities Marathon.

Climbing with Grandma at Lake Nokomis beach.
Glad I kept all my gear--I may be setting top ropes
for Phoebe before I know it!

Ever since we told Phoebe about Alisa's pregnancy,
there has been lots of care for Baby Maria.  Diaper changes,
feedings, naps, etc

Our small farm.  A true goldmine.

We found some old-school climbing bars at
Minnehaha Park.  Surprised these are still around.

Phoebe, Tona, and Siobhan enjoying a very hot day.

 I'm finally putting a wrap on the upstairs remodel.  All the trim work is done, but the doors need some adjustments, paint, and the jewelry needs stripping.  I've spent a lot of nights lately in the hot garage hovering over trays of zip strip.  Good thing I'm not pregnant.

Thresholds, baseboard, door trim . . . none of this stuff was there. Feeling pretty good to have this finally coming to a close.