Visitors!

This past weekend, our very awesome friends, Lauren and Garrett came to visit us! Although we couldn't do as many of the fun Alaskan adventures that are so great for visitors because we had Olive in tow, we still managed some good outings.  I have a feeling that Olive was also a major reason for their visit, so we made sure to get in some good quality time with her, too.  

Sorry this picture is unflattering, but it's also hilarious.
I love Lauren with the bottle and the baby and Garrett with the beer can and the cat.

Lauren got some good bath practice in:

Don't worry - she does this every time we dry her off.  It is not a reflection of your parenting skills, Lauren...

When L&G arrived, it was pouring rain and was supposed to do that the whole weekend.  But the weather gods shined down on us and we were blessed with a weekend full of sunshine!! On Saturday we hit the fair.  First stop, veggies.  This year, since we visited on the second weekend, we got to see all the competition vegetables.  The giant ones we saw in years past were from 4H entries I think (still impressive, but not GINORMOUS).

I think they are posing in front of potatoes...

Me, Olive, and the blue ribbon pumpkin.  It's 1283.5 lbs - aka as chubby as I feel two months after having a baby.  Ooof.

Giant cabbage! (113 lbs)

Another big pumpkin - this one is only 772 lbs...

We had to take a couple of breaks for feeding along the way.

Olive also got to ride in her stroller (which she currently hates about 75% of the time for no apparent reason...)

We also visited the livestock.  This cow had a baby four days before we visited.  Too cute!

BABY DONKEY OMG I WANT ONE.

Of course, what trip to the Alaska State Fair could be complete without playing rat race.  We each started with a dollar and were able to play for quite awhile.

WINNERS!

Lauren, what is your hair? It's like you're auditioning for a shampoo commercial or something...

 We also made an obligatory stop at the "wine church".  Just look at that weather.  Amazing.

Those hats were left from the children who previously occupied the table. Saturday was mining day at the fair, apparently.

 The view.  While this may not be the Washington State Fair of my youth, I guarantee you it's 100 times better looking than Puyallup ever was or will be.

Sunday we ventured out for a light hike up Blueberry Hill near Flattop.  It was the most I walked uphill since I was about four months pregnant.  I am surprised I'm not still up there.

More gorgeous weather.  Oh look - a family!

We're posing like explorers for some reason.  I think I'm saying "this is the trail that Ann and Steve took us on and we almost died last summer."

It may have been the last day of August, but that is definitely fall up here.  So pretty!

Ripley enjoyed himself, too!

This is about 10 minutes after he tried to run away with two girls who were hiking in front of us.  Traitor!

And then...on Monday morning, they left us :(

It was a way too short trip but we had a great time seeing them and having them meet Olive.  Next time we'll be able to go more than 45 minutes out of town and go on some bigger adventures.  Thanks for visiting L&G!