We're {Almost) Famous

Zach and I made today's edition of the St. Paul Pioneer Press Bulletin Board:

On Santa's Lap

Grandma Jody: "All these entertaining Santa photos reminded me of my all-time favorite taken of Zach when he was a year old. He is now a brand new graduate of the University of Minnesota, just this week. What better way to say "Congratulations" than a humiliating picture in the newspaper. We call this, "But Santa, I can explain...."

Congratulations Zach! We love you and are proud of your accomplishments.

HO HO HO

HA HA HA

Jody 1958?

Jody 1959?

Bob 1958

Bob 1959

Bob 1960

Bob 1961


Merry Christmas To All!
Love,
The Kippels

The Defeat of Jesse James Days

We tagged along with Bob to go to Northfield, Mn for DJJD. He had to march in the parade, and Diane and I went just for fun. It is a historic little town with the Cannon River running right through it. I'd do it again next year.
First of all, they had stands like at the State Fair set up in the park right in the center of town. Pronto Pups, cheese curds, ice cream, french fries, tacos...you name it. And, unlike the Fair, you didn't even have to walk far to get everything you wanted.
Secondly they had both an Art Show with a capital A featuring lots of pottery, jewelry and photography, and also an arts and crafts fair with assorted pottery,jewelry and photography. LOL. I didn't see much of a difference between the two, myself. I bought a charm made from an old map of St. Paul for my homemade necklace. They also had shops in town that were a lot of fun. One of them was a guy who makes jewelry and household things out of old recycled junk. Really cool. And he drilled a hole in a dime for me to wear on my necklace. He will also be at the JUNK BONANZA the end of this month. It is right up my alley! So creative.
Thirdly, was the re-enactment of the James Gang robbing the First Bank of Northfield and the townspeople taking up arms to defeat them. Ergo, the aptly named Defeat of Jesse James Days.
And last but not least, the aforementioned parade. All two hours of it. I kid you not!

So, to recap: Food.Check! Shopping.Check! and a Parade. Check! What's not to love!

From Minnesota With Love

Ask and you shall receive...

Via a Facebook plea from Hannah:
"Can somebody please go to the fair and eat/do the following for me?I haven't been home for the last 2 fairs and it's heartbreaking. Tell me about the fun things you've done/seen/eaten so I can enjoy the fair vicariously through you, please!"

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[ ] "deep fried pickle slices with cream cheese (the "gourmet pickle")"

Yeech,...... breakfast! CHECK

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[ ] "Australian battered potatoes with ranch"

Meh. CHECK

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[ ] "cheese curds"

With pleasure....Twice! CHECK

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[ ] "chocolate shake from the dairy building"

What's to say? Bonus: We also gaped at the butter-heads. No, not the one's pictured. CHECK CHECK

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[ ] "a beer & people-watching at that one bar near midway where the staff put on giant heads and dance to greased lightning"

Sorry, they don't wear heads anymore. But they were just as enthusiastic to do this every hour. Haha CHECK

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[ ] "a beer & people-watching on those long colorful benches in front of that bar where reggae bands always play"

A classic. LOL. They were playing pop tunes from the 70's. CHECK

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[ ] "watch that corny, scripted lumberjack show"

They weren't having a show then, but two girls were log-rolling. Don't know why Zach took a pick of them after falling. EPIC FAIL

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[ ] "pet fluffy baby chicks"

*No one is allowed to touch them anymore, because it caused them too much stress. BOO! CHECK WITH AN ASTERICKS

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[ ] "be in the crowd for Kare11 news at 5 or 6"

WAY BETTER! BONUS! CHECK CHECK CHECK CHECK

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[ ] "watch kids skate/bike at the 3rd Lair skatepark"

Too damn hot for most normal people. Just one lone kid and two people watching. But cool effects in the pics have to count for a bonus. CHECK FOR TRYING

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[ ] "wander aimlessly until feet are bleeding"

Enough said. CHECKCHECKCHECKCHECKCHECKCHECKCHECKCHECKCHECK

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Added Bonus for your viewing pleasure. . .

Dad shoveling eating his Peter's wieners.

Visiting Grandma.

We're ( Almost) Famous

Max and I made today's edition of the St. Paul Pioneer Press' Bulletin Board:

"The Permanent Brudderly Record

Writes Grandma Jody: Four year old Max got in a pinecone fight with his older brudders."

Boys will be boys.LOL

AAHHHH, Summer!

First we had the never-ending winter, followed by the dark and rainy spring. I thought summer would never get here. Finally I believe! And we are making the most of it, since we have such a short time with Hannah now and Emily later.

First up..What says summer more than Baseball? We took in a Major League game, a Minor League game, and plenty of "Little League"!

We had a warm, breezy, beautiful night at the Saint's game with Jill,Brian and Hannah after loading up at the tailgate buffet at Gabe's.

Nate, Jake, and Luke were fun to watch as always!

We then had a string of Grad Parties with the last one being at our house for Zach (and it didn't rain!)

Time for the water....our choice was The Johnathon Paddleford on the Mississippi (Twice!)

We had a fun afternoon on a rented pontoon on a beautiful hot day on Bald Eagle Lake. Hannah and James joined us for the chaotic cool down. We didn't call it a day until we stopped to eat ice cream at McDonald's, of course.

Bob and I spent the day on the Great River Road from Red Wing to Wabasha. He tried to ditch me. He accidently went the wrong way on the trail and lost me. He was worried sick over me when we got seperated on the trail atop the bluff in Red Wing! We cooled our heels in the river in Lake City, and ate dinner on the river in Wabasha before we headed home.