What is cold, rainy and wonderful?

Minnesota, of course.  We arrived in the state about 10 days ago and have been busy ever since. 

After we surprised our friends at church a week ago, we joined Terry and Janet's family for brunch.  It was a good time to catch up and Wow, have Aiden and Amariah ever grown.  (Just heard yesterday that Aiden has chicken pox, poor babe.)  That night Lael and Doug had us over for supper and we were joined by Sandra and Leo and Louise and Mel.  What a joy to reconnect... the day was such fun that I didn't even think about grabbing my camera.
Ah, but on Monday, Kaci and Amariah came out to Minneopa State Park for a picnic supper and a "photo shoot".  Posing,

and serious conversations about cookies was the order of the day.

Tuesday provided a day of recuperation and shopping for a new patio table and chairs; we managed to hit 5 stores and return to one before Mike called it quits.  If there had been a video operating in the parking lot of Menards, we would probably have been on AFV in a coming episode - what a fiasco getting the table in the Jeep ... and four non collapsible chairs!!

 Wednesday was moving day.  We are staying at Silver's Resort in Elysian again this year only we are in a new and improved site; lots of room for entertaining. 

On Thursday, Mike worked on the outside of the MH and I brought order and cleanliness to the inside.  In the evening we went to dinner over in  Cleveland with the regular crowd and once again marveled at how lucky we are to have such good friends.

Friday, Mike played golf with some "old pharts" and I had lunch with my good friend, Adrienne.  We talked about what was new and compared beauty tips... and we shopped at the only two places to shop in Elysian, The Mercantile and The Second Hand Shoppe.

On Saturday, we turned around and headed west to Springfield to help celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Glenda (Mike's cousin) and Bob.

Mike's Aunt Florence was there

 and so were many of the cousins we only see once a year.  We went over early thinking we would only say an hour or so and ended up enjoying the whole afternoon with this crowd.

On Sunday, after church, Corky and I took off for Eagan where we met up with Suz for "Scoops For Troops", a fundraiser for military families. 

We were greeted in the parking lot by this fellow.  Our friend, Tom, went turkey hunting on Friday and I couldn't help wonder if he had gotten as close to a bird as we were.  This guy was obviously in the wrong place, but he sure made himself at home.  What a hoot watching him step up on the curb.

He checked out the bike rack.

And he looked in the window at Davanni's Pizza - guess he was wondering if they served anything he might like... wonder if they have turkey on the menu...

Once we quit gawking at the bird, we headed across the street for pizza and ice cream.  In the ice cream shop was this wall.

 Sixty-six soldiers from Minnesota died in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. (One more this week)

These are some of their family members who turned out on this cold Saturday in support of each other and all military men and women and their families.

And our friend, Suz, came down from Moorhead to be with them. 

Corky and Suz are both military families.  Corky was an Army Brat, has a daughter who fought in the first Middle East War and has a grandson who is in Afghanistan.  Suz' son died in Iraq and her son-in-law is getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan.  I admire and love these two women who bake cookies and give love and wait.  And I will always be there for them.

When I got home on Sunday, Janet was visiting with Amariah and Aiden.  What a treat to see these great grandchildren twice in a week! 

 

Yes, Minnesota might be cold and rainy, but the people who live here are definitely wonderful!