Summer in Wisconsin

Sam drinking beer. Both of the boys are crazy about bottles and cans, which has meant a proliferation of beer-bottle pilfering at this summer's barbecues. (Note to Child Services of Wisconsin: the bottle was empty when he got to it. I blame their Grandma Cathy, who is conveniently pictured.)

Caleb wearing a State Fair cream puff. Last weekend, we took the kids to a fish fry at Lakefront Brewery, complete with polka band, stein beers, and -- on Sam, anyway - lederhosen. Not satisfied with the one Wisconsin tradition, they went to the State Fair the next day to judge this year's livestock and marvel at the butter statues in the Dairy Pavillion. Grandma Glenda brought home a six-pack of cream puffs, and we brought out the camera.

Not pictured: enjoying the awesome Wisconsin sweetcorn and cucumbers, and awaiting the tomatoes. (White bread + mayonaise + two slices of never-refrigerated sun-dappled tomato + black pepper = nirvana. Same but with cucumbers instead of tomatoes = whatever is right next to, but not surpassing, nirvana.)

Next weekend, we go to Minnesota. All they have is lakes and public radio.