Greatest Place on Earth

Yep, it's that time of year again. The Great Minnesota Get Together, otherwise known as the MN State Fair. Lilla went with us this year, she actually went with us last year too (in my belly). She was able to enjoy much more food last year. This is us going to the fair on the bus and it just so happens to be Lilla's first bus ride.
This was Lilla's favorite mode of transportation at the fair. If you can't tell, that is a horse made of moss and something else for the mane. They have various moss creatures that were very cool, including Elvis....of course.
It's usually a family affair when we go the the fair. This year we went with my parents, hence my mom in the this picture, but this year we also went with John's parents, hence John's mom in this picture. Nice pics of our butts......thanks John.
And if that wasn't enough family, my sister, her husband Clint, and my nephew Dakota were also there. We had a lot o' fun.
The Selander's in our family tree....good times. All in all, we had a fabulous time and ate way to much. Success!

Baby Shower

Lilla posing in her high chair.
It's amazing how fun and distracting bows can be to Lilla.
The happy couple, Will and Jess, awaiting baby "blasto" as they lovingly given him a nickname. Jess has about 8-9 more weeks and then they'll be a twosome plus one. Now, to focus on Lilla, this is her new face. More of a whine, actually.....good times.
Trying to get Daddy to do something.....with the face.

As you can tell, John DID NOT want to get up and Lilla wasn't really thrilled about it either. They both look like they should go back to bed. Looks like we've been too busy this summer.

Toys

This is Lilla's nose saline, I know, lovely. She needs it because she ALWAYS has a runny nose. Now, the only way I get to put any in her nose is by letting her play with it first.
I'm pretty sure Lilla thought little Liam (8 wk little boy next to her) was a toy, although she was pretty gentle with him. Little does she know this could be her future boyfriend......whoa, where did that come from. =)
Another favorite toy, that isn't a toy......her laundry basket. Now she can stand on the side of it and walk around with it. Practice makes perfect, I guess.
Lilla finds getting dressed the best time to play. She gets TOTALLY annoyed that we are interupting her play time. Hence the sad face.

Sleeping beauty. This is THEE blanket. Every night it's with her along with her pacifier and then lights out. How peaceful.

Fun

Bailey thinks everything is a toy and fun....especially Lilla's high-chair table after Lilla won't eat the strawberries and bananas mom cut up for her.
She's getting every last morsel.
Lilla doesn't like pig tails being put into her hair, but she sure looks cute in them.
I'm not actually sure why John and I bought toys for Lilla when the only thing she really wants to play with is the remote. She's is the happiest camper on the block when we let her play with it for 30 seconds, but then after that it starts to go into her mouth, so no more fun.
Hey, I want the remote back.

Uncle Tom and Aunt Verna visit

Last night was the first time the three of us have been in the same room since last Thanksgiving. It was great to hang out with Tom and Rebecca for view moments. Just like old times....funny.
So, Tom's lovely wife Verna is 27 weeks prego, so John and I decided to let them sleep in our bed and we'd sleep in the guest room (which is a futon converted into a bed). So the bed is lower then our regular bed and Bailey (the wonder dog) saw me get into bed and very casually stepped into bed with me. Bailey has her own doggy bed and usually does NOT sleep with us because she's a 90 lb. bundle of moving joy. =) Anywho, John tried to get her off the bed by tempting her with her ball ( her FAVORITE thing in the world, besides John) and nope, she was on the bed to stay. Needless to say, we were a little cramped.
Look at her smile on the bed. Naughty Bailey. =)
Tom and Verna chill'in with Lilla. Our family's (although Avery and Jonah were not here) have not seen each other since Thanksgivning last year. I think Lilla knew that Tom was family though, she's usually very scared of boys in general. Ask Dakota, he can tell you stories of loud screaming. However, she seemed to do ok with Tom. I told him it was because he has the same tuft of hair sticking out of his shirt like Papa (my dad). She really likes her Papa too. Verna sweetly read stories with Lilla this morning before we had to say good-bye. It was a quick trip, but well worth it. We'll miss you Tom and Verna. The next time we see you, there will probably be another little Volker in the world!

Additional Lubbens

The Lubben Cousins: Me, Lori, Jess, Laura, Rebecca, Andrea, Lia, Brian, Matt and our cutie Grandma, who by the way, danced to YMCA with of us as is the tradition at Lubben weddings.
The Cousins, plus children: Mattie, Mya, Oliva, Taylor, Elise, Patrick, Sophia, Lilla and Connor.....needless to say, Lilla will have lots of fun when we all can get together. She's has a ton of cousins to play with.
Grandma, Lilla, and John
How cute!! Elise, Sophia, Olivia, Maya, Mattie, and Patrick.
The end of the night. Does she look tired?

More Lubbens

Uncle Steve and Aunt Rose
My nephew Dakota....lookin good.
Pretty girls....
Uncle Paul (father of the Bride)...thanks for the great time!

Those Lubben's know how to party!

Cousin Jess and Connor
Grandma Lubben and Great Uncle Lowel Lubben
Cousin Lia showing off her moves.
Uncle Larry haveing so much fun he can hardly stand it!
Patrick and Olivia cuttin' a rug.....too cute!

Laura's wedding

Beautiful bride.....my cousin Laura
The Selander's
Aunt Vicki and Cousin Lori

Cutie Conner
Lilla was ready for her close up

My cousin Laura was married this weekend to Matt Hagstrom in Alexandria. We went up to celebrate, as did the majority of my Lubben family. It was great to see every one and we'll be waiting until the next Lubben party. Beth and Paul....thanks for the great time and Matt, welcome to the family.