Day one of Atlanta

I took this shot as we waited anxiously to board our flight. It still amazes me that we can get so far away in just a few hours. Flying down to Atlanta is just a 2 and a half hour flight. I think I am the only one who feels blessed every time I get on an airplane. However, this flight was not one of my best. I however loved the lady next to me. It was fun to have company in my annoyance:-) 

 We arrived in Atlanta(the largest airport in the US) with directions from Uncle Craig. He and Mike spoke the same language and it felt like we had done it 100 times before. 

 When we arrived back at the house we were greeted by a cute little lizard. Matthew and I were in love with him. We were trying to figure out how to bring him home with us. Then he asked where we were from and when we said Minnesota he flew off Matt's shoulder and ran for the woods! He likes warm weather, I guess.

 he was cute! Even with only half a tail.

 I don't know what is more interesting in these photos? The lizard or how dirty my son's fingers are. I am sorry...he has spent ever day this summer fishing. At this point it is permadirt! 

 Lauri and Craig might have been gone but they had a hospitality crew there to greet us.

 This is Ty. He managed to get outside almost right away. No big deal we thought...until Grandma Dot told us on the phone that the cats had never been outside and to not let them out....um...what??? We spend many hours on our first night looking for Ty. We found out later that he knows what he is doing. 

 Then there was Beaumont. Mike fell hard for Beau. He had many one on one talks with him. 

 He and Beau just loved each other.

I have to say that I just adore my husband and his love for animals. He frequently calls me to tell me about a cow or a horse that won't leave him alone at work. He has had many dogs almost climb into his truck when he was leaving them. He has a gentle spirit that animals see and I love that about him. I think people who don't get that are really missing out. 

This was Baby. He belonged to Chelsea and he was a sweet baby. She rescued him. He was found in a cardboard box on a super hot day beside a road by Savannah Georgia. He had ring worm and a whole bunch of other things. He almost died...Yes, Chelsea has the animal whisperer's heart too. Baby is very lucky to be loved by Chelsea. 

Once we got checked into our "hotel" Owen. We found a place to eat. We were all craving pizza.

 This was one of our waiters...one of the many hundreds of super nice people that weaved their way into our vacation. 

Now that is pizza.

After we ate we relaxed at the "Hotel Owen" and enjoyed our only day without baseball. 

We already loved Atlanta

A quick highlight reel of our amazing trip to Atlanta

Our trip to Atlanta can never be put into words. It was something out of a dream. I can't even start to tell you all the little moments we had when people were so kind. More than anything I discovered a long lost sister. Dawn, I was flattered when asked if I was your sister at the start but I was honored when I was asked at the end. You and I were meant to be friends. 

(this is memory card one by the way...lots more to come)

 Mike grew up watching the Braves from the time he was Matthew's age. He loved them when they were the worst team in baseball. He loved them when they were the best, and he loved them every year  that was in between. His heart is invested with them. Back then they played at Fulton County Stadium and this is where home plate for that is. I tried to get him to run the bases but he declined. 

 He was though one happy camper. I don't think I have ever seen him at such peace. When we first met years ago we had a map hung on the wall with our route to Atlanta. He wanted to see the Braves play and I thought a long road trip would be fun. It was our dream for many years. Through our moves and life's own curve balls we never made it. Well some things are just so well worth the wait. 

 I know without hesitation I can tell you that Turner Field is the best stadium in all of baseball. I have only been to a few and I can still say this. Why?

Every single person we came in contact with from the guards at the gate(who had every right to be grumpy) to the concession stand workers, to the lady that was attending the restroom was incredibly kind and friendly. Not just polite but downright known you since you were in diapers kind. Seriously made me feel so welcome. In fact I felt this way with most of Atlanta but at Turner there was a since of pride with being kind. That kindness will not be soon forgotten.

 These pictures are kind of random but there is just too many and I wanted to share some. This is Mike calling the bull pen on the real phone! Bobby Cox touched this same phone!!!!

 A lot of these photos are from Mike in this first batch. He took this picture of Matthew while I had a girls lunch. This was after I was an hour late to our lunch. We had a big food service truck change lanes and hit us. It was not fun. The truck driver however was incredibly nice...go figure.

 we rushed through the aquarium but here are Mike's amazing photos from it.

 This is the hospitality crew for public relations at Turner! They are of course as nice as they are cute! They surprised the three of us with little gift bags and a welcome to the Ted. This is about the time Mike and I almost cried. 

 Matthew took this picture. That is Beaumont. You can call him Beau. He totally stole Mike's heart. This is Mike's aunt Lauri in the background. 

 Then there is Chelsea. Chelsea is one amazing young woman. I can't believe how good she is with Matthew. He adores her and her brother Alec. When I first met Mike Chelsea was 3 years old! 

 This is her baby Big. He was one of the sweetest cats I have ever met. Matthew adored him too. 

 Yes, I am pretty darn wonderful!

 back to Turner!

Terry Pendelton is my all time favorite ball player. He has provided years of solid leadership as well as being one of the best players in baseball. I loved seeing the way he held the team together back in the 90's.  He was a big part of why they were a success and he did it with being a true leader. 

I got to hug him! 

 This picture was taken by the official Braves photographer and I have to say I was really impressed by him. His work is incredible. 

 Then it happened...Chipper Jones came walking by and Matthew said "Chipper can I have your autograph? You are my favorite player"... and he stopped!

 and then as Mike was shaking like a leaf he said...do you want a picture of me with your son? Mike some how got the shot despite his massive camera shake. Then he shook his hand but he does not remember that! It was a pretty incredible moment. Too bad mom had bought him the wrong shirt to wear. Sorry Chipper that is all me. Matt is all about #10 and especially now! 

 he was in total shock!

 Terry Pendelton and Chipper Jones. Two of the very best in the business. Together as always!

Then there were more players and more signatures.

I also wanted to share this photo of the Owens. Now you can see Alec too. Alec like Chelsea is one amazing kid. Okay, I know they are not kids, but they kind of are to Mike and I. Thank you so much for letting us stay at your amazing house and for the wonderful company. You are very lucky we were only joking about our "stay" cation!  

There are lots more pictures and stories to tell! I can't wait to tell you about Walter and show you pictures of so many of the people that made our trip incredible. Hang with me as I have so much to get caught up on first. 

The Goodhue County Fair

Meet Feta! He is a pigmy goat. He was priced at $35.00 and if not for the fact that winters get kind of hard around these parts and my I really do adore my husband and don't want to lose him...he might have come home with us. He won't get any bigger than this. Oh, and he makes the cutes bahahaha noise you have ever heard. Matthew loved him too. Big surprise! 

 Shana texted me the other day and said she had a great idea. There was a fair a few little towns over and she thought we should take the kids. 

 Oh, and the main attraction was a lawn mower demolition derby! A what??? All I heard was lawnmower. I was thinking it was going to be racing...

NOPE! Crashing things!!!

 That mower on the left was one of the ones Shana and I were cheering for...can anyone guess why?

 All I could think was "Mike has to do this!" What man would not love to try this.

 Oh, and there was a fire and it was put out by a real fireman! 

 He is about to tip over

So is he!

 Addie and Huddy were mildly amused.

Addie...

Can you say traumatized? 

The boys however loved every minute. My son yelled the loudest of anyone in the crowd. 

Then it was off to the carnival

 I must say I have a slight fear of Ferris wheels. It did not start until I had children riding in them though.

 Huddy did the giant slide...that was a big waste of his ticket. 

 The boys thought they were pretty big shots on these rides.

 Then came the right of passage. The Zipper! The Zipper was a big  HUGE part of my childhood! I lived to ride it. Matthew and Kaden thought they were ready. So despite being a little afraid they boarded...

 This is them getting off. Matthew was horrified. He said he screamed the whole time and he seriously thought he was going to pee his pants!

 Yep, it may be a few years before they try that again... You know what, I am okay with that. I have to say I watched the whole time wondering how old it was, and if it had been taken care of...and if that door was going to pop open and I was going to have to run and try and catch them...life was more fun when I just rode it!

 or when they stuck to the safer horsey ride

with momma by your side

 off the see the animals before we headed back home

This was a great fair! Thank you Shana for your genius ideas...keep them coming!