Cabin Fever

This past weekend, we went up to the Gunflint Trail with our friends Beth & Jesse. We left after they were done with work, and arrived at our landing at about 1:30 am! Jesse had to hike through the woods to get the row boat for us to take to the cabin. We had quite the ordeal trying to get there, as we forgot the keys to the cabin, and realized it when we got to Duluth. Needless to say, we hit up KMart at 11 pm looking for tools to cut the lock on the boat! It worked!
Here was the sky and lake, lit up by the full moon. With the fog over the lake, it was a little eerie arriving at the cabin. Kind of like a scarey movie, especially not really knowing where we were going (as guests of theirs). But, it was also beautiful!

In the morning, we fed the Whiskey Jacks bread and pancakes out of our hands! What a weird feeling of those little claws on our hands!

Since this was the most "in nature" we were this summer, Jenny was reminiscing about Holden lots! Maybe it was the smell of the pines, "rusticness", the slowness of the day, or the lack of communication with the outside world, but it was wonderful!

Here are Jesse & Beth in the row boat!

It was our first time canoing together...and we learned a little teamwork in a new way.


We "bushwhacked" to get to the giant beaver dam.

Jesse & Beth.

Beth! Watch out!!

There were many lily pads and water lilies!

Over all, it has been a great summer. We have been fortunate to be able to spend so much time together as Chris has had a little bit lighter school load. And, we have been able to do many fun things with our family and friends. I'm headed back to school on Monday, and I can feel summer fading fast!

Summer Travels

We visited Brian this past weekend up in North Dakota. We stayed half-way between Bismarck and Minot...where Brian is working. It was the peak of sunflower season. We had to stop and get a closer look!Chris, stopping to smell the flowers.

More flowers.

Brian and Jenny.

More sunflowers...

And more...
The plant that Brian is working at on his first contracted job as a construction engineer.

In Minot, we stopped at a Scandinavian Park...here are our Swedish Horse roots!

Jenny & Chris at the Norwegian church! (who needs to go to Norway now?!)

We got a little golf in at the local course. We also took a few "fun shots".

Here are Chris and Brian with Lake Sakakawea in the background.

More of the lake and sunset.

The backdrop was beautiful!

Firsts

On Father's Day, we had a day of grilling out. Grandma Edith has talked and talked about taking a ride on Chris' motorcycle. She finally had a chance. Chris took her for a ride around the block a couple of times.

Grandma, at 93 had never been on a motorcycle ride before, so this was a new one! She had a good time.

She was just a little nervous when going around the corners.


Chris and Grandma.



Charlie, Andy, Betsy and Chris. Here's the whole fam and their "bikes".


And now...introducing....


Jack Joseph Vogel.

This past weekend, we finally got to meet Jack, little one of Jenny's cousin Kari, and her husband, Dennis. It was wonderful to meet him!

As you can see, Jack spent much time sleeping.

Here's the happy family.

I got to feed and burp him. Excitement! I could have held him all day. He was such a cutie!


Being from Wisconsin, Jenny's Uncle David had to get Jack some Wisconsin attire. Here's Uncle David and his first great-nephew.

Here's Jack in the blanket that Jenny made for him.

Grandma Ruth and her first Great-Grandson.

Four generations.

Early on in the day, we got a round of 9 in at the golf club in Durand. Later on, the guys played some bocce ball. It was a wonderful day of meeting new family, and relaxing.

MS 150

This past weekend, Jenny took part in the MS 150 bike ride from Proctor (near Duluth) to Blaine. She did it in honor of her cousin, Birgit, who headed up the Wells Fargo, 100 Monkey's team, and other friends she knows who live with Multiple Sclerosis. Also joining the 100 monkeys were 3 of Jenny's friends, her dad, brother Josh, and one of his friends.

Jenny and Beth on the bus from Blaine to Proctor.

Nicole and Greg.

Many people camped at Proctor High School. We were fortunate to be able to spend the night at Beth's sister's house in Duluth. We "carbed" up at the Olive Garden. Yum! Here was the parking sign we found for Beth at the High School.

Greg, Nicole, Jenny and Beth, all ready to head out.

Jenny and Josh ready to roll.

Here's Jenny, Pat, Josh and Birgit at the first rest stop on day 1.

Jenny and Beth, after day 1. We "recooped" with massages at the 100 Monkeys Team tent...it was marvelous!

Jenny, Greg, Nicole, Jesse, and Beth. It was super organized, and they treated us well. At each rest stop, they had lots of water, gatorade, food, and of course port-o-potties.

Just as Jenny crosses the finish line.

Jenny and dad after the race.

Chris came to watch Jenny cross the finish line. She was very happy to see him! All in all, it was a great experience. It was one of the most challenging things Jenny has done, but well worth it. It was also wonderful to share in the experience with so many wonderful people.

Celebrations!

There have been so many things going on lately! We are happy and excited, of course, that Chris has finished his first year of law school. He worked really hard, studied some long hours, and as he would say, some days were better than others. He now has a few weeks off before starting again. Everyone says the first year of law school is the worst...it really wasn't all that bad.

Speaking of finishing school, my youngest brother, Brian, graduated this weekend down at Iowa State. It was a fun weekend, and Jenny was fortunate enough to get down there to celebrate.

Jenny, Brian, Josh & Amy.

Brian, Mom & Dad

Even the grandmas were able to make it. It was a good time, with ceremonies, dinners, helping to pack Brian up one last time, and of course, Chicken Gyros from the ever famous Ames Gyroman. So good!

One Year Down!

Chris has finished his first year of law school today! No more finals...at least for a little while! We will have a little more time to spend together and with the rest of the world for the next few weeks. Then he's back at it. I'm ready for summer...the kiddos and I are all getting restless. At least we are doing fun projects in school. But, it's time for a renewal of sorts. I hit up the Home Depot last night and got some plants and flowers. I'm excited for spring...although the temps would have me thinking its not really here yet. I'm hoping, still, to dig up some hostas and transplant them. Although I'm not looking forward to the digging and transplanting, i'm looking forward to the finished product! And, I really want to get this tree that I saw down in Ames this past weekend. It was everywhere on campus. It's called the Eastern Redbud, and man was it stunning! I'll have to get one and post as well! Sorry for the lack of pics....we'll get them on there soon!