Just Another Day

These three lovely ladies and I headed off for an overnight trip to Duluth.

We started down the road after Trisha finished up with work for the day. There wasn’t a quiet moment during the two hour drive, and much of that time was spent laughing. Of course we had to squeeze in  a little shopping Thursday night before dinner. Then we headed to the hotel to get checked in and made our way to the restaurant up top for a little dessert. This particular restaurant moves in a circle to give you a full view of the harbor / city during your dining experience. Pretty fun, but I’ll admit the motion made me a little dizzy.

With full, full bellies, we headed to our room to find our sleep number beds waiting. This only added some more comedic value to the evening. After an episode of House Hunters it was time to rest up for the next big day of shopping.

After walking around Canal Park we headed up the hill and to the mall. Now, I myself do best with online shopping, but these girls… they can navigate a mall! I ended up with some great bargains and a lot of time hanging out on the benches in the hallways. 🙂 Amy and I learned that it’s best to steer clear of any unknown candies at the dispensers.

After a FULL day of shopping we made our way home. Now it’s time to plan the next event!

It seems like once the middle of July hits, time starts moving at warp speed! So, after a failed attempt to cross our paths earlier this summer we lucked out and found some time to meet the Rudstroms for a picnic this past week.

It’s always nice to catch up with AnnMarie, C.O. and Harold and to hear about the past year in Brevig and exciting news for the next year.

And who doesn’t love to see such a cute little guy out playing at the park?

If there is fun to be had, this crew will find it. Our unexpected time together with family came under sad circumstances when we lost my Grandpa last week. However, I believe my grandparents would be quite happy to see their family together, reminiscing and making new memories. This particular day found the Aune crew playing some baseball up at the ball field. We’ve always heard stories about the four boys (my dad and his brothers) spending lots of time with the neighborhood kids out at the old field in town. My cousins have made this past time a reality for their kids – as the little ones took on the adults in a very heated game last Friday afternoon. I, myself, haven’t got an athletic bone in my body – so I was content to show up and watch the fun. 🙂

Good sports all around. It was a very  close game!

I’m not sure where my grandpa got the nickname Lovable Lou, but I couldn’t think of a more appropriate description for such a wonderful guy. He was just fun to be around – whether sharing an old story, a joke, or putting on a silly hat to make us smile, you just couldn’t help but to love spending time with him. No one knew this better than my Grandma.

I think any of us should be so lucky as to find a love like my grandparents had. They found each other young and spent the rest of their lives making each other happy. They raised four great boys. They lived a full life.

I loved hearing Grandpa talk about the bakery. My favorite story is where he loaded up a bismarck so full of jelly that it exploded over the wise-guy that frequented the place. Of course stories weren’t all that remained from Gramp’s baking days… we grew up on his peanut butter twists and other tasty treats!

I feel so incredibly lucky to have grown up next door to my grandparents. We used to march over early in the summer mornings wearing our swimsuits – which Gramp called our “summer uniforms”. We’d run in and out of the house and somehow manage to get G & G to take us swimming at Raps Beach. Grandpa was often out tinkering in the garage. He was a handy guy. There were late night pinnachle games and early morning rides to school. Gramp always knew where we were headed and the exact time we got home each night. I loved that about him.

It was tough to see my grandparents have to leave the lake. I know Grandpa missed home a lot. Even so, he never lost that twinkle in his beautiful blue eyes. Grandpa has missed Grandma these last months, too. So during this sad time it is comforting to know that the two of them are together again.

This is one of those times where I wish I was a writer – my words seem inadequate. My grandpa was a great man. I loved him – we all did. I will miss him.

Thirty years ago I began this wonderful life on Lake Vermilion. I am blessed to celebrate in the same spot with great family and friends… having come into some traditions, created some of my own, and looking forward to all the rest.

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes. I’ve discovered that turning thirty makes you feel like a princess. 🙂

You know how you kind of want your house to be perfect when you’re having guests? You sweep and dust and work to get everything just so – and then…

a) your guests wake up to the roof leaking like a sieve in the middle of the kitchen

b) the electricity is blown out and does not come back for 9 hours

c) a bat finds its way into the house and stays long enough to be named

BUT, with the right guests, none of that even matters. In fact, you’re able to convince yourself that it all just makes for a better story.

So, besides a few minor issues that needed to be addressed, we were able to spend the rest of our time with the Johnsons cruising around the lake, fishing, swimming, sailing, tubing, picnicking, telling stories, introducing my family, and just enjoying life.

What fun!

We were eagerly awaiting the Johnsons’ arrival. They braved 1806 miles across the country to come for a visit and didn’t let a late start or damaging hail keep them from getting here. Around 9:00 Friday night Josh, Stacie, Abbie, Chandler, James, Max, and Ruby pulled into our driveway. We whisked them out for a quick evening swim and then spent another couple of hours gabbing away.

Saturday we decided to join in the Independence Day celebration at the Tower parade.

After a hot afternoon at the parade, we came back and hit the lake before Stacie, April, and I headed out to a surprise birthday party for my cousin Stacy.

After a day of going we were looking forward to lounging at the lake for the next few days – which is exactly what we did.

Happy first birthday to my little buddy.

April is our organizer, so when she said she though we shoulld make a trip to visit the Aune crew in Wisconsin we told her to make it happen. We’re lucky she’s a good planner – things came right together. It had  been 3 years since we were last out there… way too long!

What fun to be able to just relax and catch up. Kraig and Amy were gracious hosts in their beautiful home, and the rest of the family took time from their busy schedules to come visit with us. We hope to make it a more regular occurrence, and hopefully even more of the family will be able to come along. We also look forward to the Wisconsin crew heading our direction when they get the chance!

Bill showed me this Facebook video. I love it.