First dance class

Madeline started her first ever dance classes tonight. We just signed up for a series of classes through our community ed program, so it's cheap and very low key, but it's the fun that counts. She seemed to like her first lesson, and esp. loved putting on her tap shoes.

Family trip to Two Harbors

We had a nice long weekend in Two Harbors with Nathan's family (both immediate and extended). We threw rocks in Lake Superior, rocked out on the Wii, did a little swimming, and had a birthday party for cousin Abby. A very fun weekend!

New Gopher stadium!

Nathan and went to our first Gopher game at the new TCF Bank Stadium ("The Bank") this past weekend. For the past 30 years or so (and while WE were at college), the Gophers played at the Metrodome off-campus where the Vikings play. We never went to those games. Even if the Gophers are not very good, we can at least have the true college football experience. We also met up with some of my best friends before the game. Go Gophers!!

Madeline's first day of Pre-Kindergarten

Madeline and Henry both started in new classrooms today at daycare. Henry apparently had a sad time, so had to go back to visit his old teachers. Poor guy. Madeline had a great day in her new Pre-Kindergarten classroom. In this new class, they have to wear uniforms Mon-Thursday, so I definitely had to take a picture on her "first day of school." I don't know why, but this was emotional for me to drop her off today. I can't even imagine what it's going to be like dropping her off at kindergarten next year. Don't you wish you could just freeze things in time?

Movie night!

We watched "Wall-E" on our official first ever Knutson family movie night. Henry was OBSESSED with the popcorn. Madeline cried at the movie - she's such a softie.

2nd camping trip was a success

We spent Labor Day weekend at Baker Park... in a tent! It was our 2nd camping trip with the kids and it was a perfect way to spend the weekend. We made smores, played on the playground, played on the beach of Lake Independence - all of the typical low key stuff. It was beautiful weather, too, which was a blessing. Only thing we did different this time around was to get Henry asleep in the stroller vs. trying to put him down to sleep on the air mattress, which was a no go last time and we definitely did better on that aspect this time around. We're all set to do this again next year!

(Unfortunately, I forgot my camera on this trip, so no pics.)

What we did in August

I am completely in denial that it's September already. Where did August go? Here are some of the things that we did:

• Attended cousin Ben's wedding and welcomed another Becky Knutson into the family! It was a beautiful wedding. And bonus for me that Madeline was there - I actually had someone there that wanted to dance with me!


• We celebrated the Knutsons 40th wedding anniversary! We surprised them by showing up in Rochester and taking them out nice dinner together as a family.


• Becky had a much-needed girls weekend with 12 sorority sisters at a friend's cabin. Nathan and the kids spent the weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's house.


• The Schwartz sisters and our families all migrated to Indy for a mini-family reunion and to celebrate Katie's 30th birthday. It was so fun to see how big Andrew has gotten since I first met him in July and also to see the older 3 cousins play together. Grandma Rita can now name 3 Thomas the Train engines that she previously didn't even know existed. God help us that one of the engine's name is Henry. Pretty sure I can predict what he is getting for his upcoming birthday.


• Nathan had his fantasy football draft. This is big news around here. Unfortunately, his team is already showing serious signs of weakness with some untimely injuries, but don't worry - he's mapped out his next 10 moves and I think we're all going to make it.