Summer/September?

Best weather we've had all summer!  Earl and I even got some biking in, and camping the end of August up north to Cass Lake with some friends.  It was the perfect week!  And beautiful campground!

What a perfect week, and we'd go there again in a minute!

We celebrated Jonnie's 9th Birthday @ his house.  Lorrie made his cake.(Legos)  So clever!

First time seeing Allison, after she moved back to Willmar to complete her senior year here.


Sawyer helping Jonnie open gifts.

Our trip to Out West and Spokane

What a week, and what a trip! We drove two days out to Spokane, and wouldn't have it any other way. The 1200+ miles was worth it, to see all the beautiful scenery up north, and west. It was our first time this far west, and honestly, I wasn't looking forward to driving so long, esp. after our two day drive out east. But as we got to the Badlands in North Dakota, the wheat and sunflower fields in eastern Montana, the mountain views in western Montana, and Idaho, and the crystal clear lakes, I couldn't get enough pictures.We heard it was going to be in the 90's that weekend. I thought, Oh great, as I thought about our dress attire for the wedding-Earl, in a tux, and me in a long sleeveless gown with a 3/4 sleeve jacket. But it wouldn't be that bad, as surely the church would be air-conditioned, and the rehearsal dinner @ Maja's parents had air-conditioning.
I made reservations for hotels on the way, while we were in Spokane, and on our way home. All in all, they were good choices, esp. where we stayed in Spokane.
So, Saturday, before the rehearsal, and dinner following for my son, Adam's wedding, we were invited to the community pool near Maja's parents. Yes, it was hot out, and the pool was refreshing, though not everyone got in. Too bad! Adam relaxed some, too.
Then , the rehearsal was @ the university building upstairs, three flights, in the chapel, as there was a wedding taking place @ the church. No air-conditioning! upper 90's!
Afterwards, we were invited to Maja's parents, Priscilla and David, for lasagna, salad, garlic bread, cheese, grapes, and pie/ice cream. Again, no air-conditioning! They were re-modeling their house, and the air-conditioner went up. Who could have guessed it would have been that warm this weekend? But we all survived the heat, and had a good time. They were so warm(no pun intended), and welcomed us all. I really felt comfortable with all of them.
We relaxed in the hotel pool the next day in the morning, before the wedding which was scheduled @ 3pm. We were asked to be there @ 1pm for pictures. And believe it or not, it was 107 degrees that day, and not air-conditioning in the church, or in the room that was used to get ready. I sweated in places I didn't know I could. But what can you do about it. We were all going through so many emotions, seeing our baby, and only son, getting married.
As we waited in church, for the Mass t0 begin, my batteries went dead, and I couldn't take any more pictures. I could just kick myself for not being prepared with extra batteries. So I have to depend on my daughters getting some good photos of the couple, and pics of the reception.
More about that later.

Reflections of a Florida Vacation

Just came back from visiting ET's sis, Mar and hubby, Fred, in Florida. Besides ET, and me, Steve and Kory went, too. Talk about a change in weather-sweatshirt and jeans when leaving home in the 40's, and shorts and tank top when arriving in Orlando to hot, humid 90's. Recognized Mar's house right away as it was the only brightly painted one in a development of pastels. Very nice place, with screened-in pool and patio in the back. We hung out there morning and night, swimming, eating, talking, talking, talking...why is it when brothers and sisters get together, their childhood is disected, and analyzed. Life was hard for them, but somehow they have got stuck in remembering only the negatives, and what this and that one did, and not letting the bad stuff go, and just to focus on the happier times. E didn't stay for much of the "discussions", as he has let go of all that stuff, and I was getting antsy after only one day of it. Let's go for a walk, a swim, read, eat??? We did go to Cocoa Beach, a town festival in Melbourne, Crab Heaven for delicious Maryland crabs, and Carabba's for great Italian food and service. And to just dream, we spent one full day visiting all the new models homes that were going up in the area, and deciding what layouts we all liked, and where we'd like to live IF we ever wanted to live in Fla.