Mini Vacation!

Last week we took a "mini vacation" and had a ton of fun!  It earned it's "mini" status for a couple different reasons...
#1:  It was really only 1.5 days off work, and vacations in my book must be over 3 days to be significant. ha!
#2:  We really didn't go anywhere that we haven't already been...but that doesn't mean it wasn't a great trip!

So what did we do, you ask?  We drove up to the Iowa State Fair first - which we were both really looking forward to.  Last year was my first State Fair experience, and of course I loved it.  I pretty much love any large events with lots of people so when you throw in carnival rides, performances and fried food galore -- I'm in complete awe.  (PS.  Mom & Dad, looks like you did do something wrong while raising me.... no State Fair trips.  Fail.)   Anyways, we met up with Lindsay, Adam & Jill...pitched our tent in almost the exact same spot as last year... bought the most expensive drinks on earth... ate the BEST food item at the Fair...and then enjoyed a GREAT concert in the Grandstands.  Darius Rucker was a really awesome performer... we recommend him to any country music lovers out there! :)  

$12 Beer?  Doesn't even sound good, right?

Mmmmm "Chicken Lips"...the BEST thing you'll ever eat.

Darius Rucker concert at the Iowa State Fair = fabulous!!

All of us, at the Darius Rucker concert!

Of course, camping at the State Fair leads to ridiculously long lines for the showers so we opted to hop across town to my friend Maggie's apartment for a quick visit and quick showers. (Thanks Mags!)  This was about the time that storms starting brewing so we steered clear of the Fair for a little longer and indulged in a big breakfast at I-Hop.  Yum!

Coffee, Pancakes, French Toast and everything else that is good. :)

Friday at the Fair was rainy -- which forced me to buy the ugliest pair of shoes that I have ever owned.  Yep, you guessed it, I now own crocks.  Gasp!  They did solve the slippery-flip flop situation though so I guess they've served their purpose and can rest in peace in the trunk of my car until our next camping adventure.  (Background Info: The crocks are the 3rd pair of shoes that I've had to buy while camping... I always overpack clothes and forget about my feet. Maybe someday I'll learn.)  A few hours after the shoe-spree the rain cleared out just in time to enjoy the afternoon at the Fair!  Here's a glimpse of what the fun included....

Colt Ford concert (for free!)...who would have thought that a country rapper would be good?  He is!

On our drive back from the Fair we decided to stop at the Lake for some extra fun in the sun!  This was the only time all summer that we got to go tubing and jet skiing!! It's hard to believe that it's the end of August and we only got to go once.  It was a really great addition to our mini-vaca though! :)  To top it off we spent Saturday night at a wedding reception (congrats Casey & Sara!) and took Rockie swimming on Sunday.   Yep, you read right... we took the dog to the pool!  On the last day that the pool is open they have a "Dog Day" and it was unlike anything we've ever seen.  Dogs were everywhere...some big, some small, some on leashes, some in life-jackets, some running around like crazy! We were a little nervous to take Rockie there since she's never been around that many other dogs but she did a great job!

She wasn't too fond of the water at first... it took some persuading/pulling to get her in.

By the time we left she was jumping off the side into the 3-foot and swimming around with Kurt!
She loved it. =)

Of course the weekend expired and we were thrown into another week of work (a full week....sigh!).  With only 3 weeks left until Memory Walk I am keeping crazy busy in the office and coming home completely brain-dead each night.  But, I do like the chaos because it's all for a good cause!  Which... by the way... if you'd like to support my efforts I would greatly appreciate a donation of any amount.  All donations help fund Alzheimer's care, support, advocacy and research through the Alzheimer's Association.  With your help we will be one step closer to finding a cure for this devastating disease!  

Ey, yey, yey.... Is it really almost September??  We're ready for some football, sweatshirts and sitcoms.  Bring it on!!