A Week Camping In StPeter

Sometimes it's good to go to your old stomping grounds. Because we had various things going on mostly in the StPeter area we decided to set up camp at the Mill Pond campground in StPeter. This is not the most luxurious place that we have ever been to but it fit the bill just fine.
Dad moved from Mankato to Henderson and David and I spent a day packing him up. His apartment in Henderson is very nice, a place that David and I could live when that day comes... a long long way down the road:)
And then there was a meeting with David's brother and a palliative (sp?) care team. If you ever need help with quality of life issues these folks are a great resource, I highly recommend them!
A friend has just become a consultant for Norwex products (great products and again, I highly recommend them...David does as well) so I helped her get some experience by hosting a party at the camper. A small space but it worked. It was a great time to see friends and cousins alike.
Luckily Rachel and Dezbah were in town and we spent a few afternoons with them. Julia spent an overnight with us in the camper and the next day Rachel, a friend of hers (Denna) and Dezbah came over to play. I got some great shots of the granddaughters this trip so hold on to your hats...here they come.
Girls just playing-

And exchanging ideas


And sharing grandpa and momma Rachel
And a ride on the teeter totter
A few great shots of Dezbah
Beautiful isn't it
Shelby is just a beautiful baby and as her Auntie Kelly says, "Just a sweet girl"
It was windy on this day and I just kept snapping as Julia's hair blew in the wind.
I love love these shots
Is there a modeling job in her future? Only if grandma is behind the lens:)
Yep, there's that smile
Little Shelby has just discovered the stairs and thinks she is 'getting away with something' when she goes up. Looks to me like both her and grandpa think they are getting away with something.
Shelby Marie turned a year old July 22nd and here she is loving the soft puppy that great grandma Lois gave her
She just wasn't sure what to think with everyone singing happy birthday to her but let me tell you that cake was to die for!
Shelby thought so as well
A kid sized trampoline was the gift from mom and dad. Both girls watched in anticipation while daddy assembled the tramp. The girls love this thing. Julia jumps while Shelby sits on her butt and giggles as she bounces.
And her very own chair from grandma and grandpa...well grandma made it but you know how that goes:)
Now of course Julia's chair is no longer good enough...she wanted this one
Shelby says 'get out this one is mine' and seriously pushed her sis right out.
The girls warmed up to great grandma Loi pretty quickly. Julia in fact is now calling her, 'My new grandma'. How cute is that!
There they sit, the old farts...ummm I mean the great grandparents.
It was a great week filled with lots of fun and oh so busy.

2nd Annual

Woelpern Resort get together. This began a few years back with just Jess and Melissa and last year Chrissy, Kimmy, Kim and Tom joined us. The crew has already 'made reservations' for next year. And yes I made these dorky T-shirts in honor of the 2nd annual. Dorky as they may be it was fun to wear them in town where everyone asked, "Now where is that resort"?

As always we took a day to float in the pond


And yes the pond is deep enough this year to actually swim in.
A few of our 'guests' relaxed on the beach
With their feet up
And one little boy went swimming only to roll in the dirt afterwards
Food, oh we had food. Each twosome made a meal this year. We dined on a grilled whole turkey, hamburgers that came from an organically raised cow....it was awesome and by golly organic does taste better at least in this case, wild rice patties, french toast and omelets in a bag.
Melissa and Tom are getting their omelets ready to go into the boiling water
And wa-lah a delicious meal is made

Kimmy and Chris busy in the kitchen-it was not all rest and relaxation..haha

Well perhaps most of it was R&R
I even snuck a cup of coffee or two or three

We all have been waiting for Tom to ask Melissa to marry him and apparently so have some of his friends as they gave him this rock to give to Melissa. Dear Melissa, I'm betting yours (when you do finally get it) will certainly not be this ....gaudy...haha
Melissa has been trying to talk Tom into getting a lap dog. I think Peeko may have helped him decide that it would not be such a bad idea

Lots of cards. There was shoot, cribbage, right-left-in the middle (Kel and Len we are going to teach you that one this coming week) and golf. Golf was a new one for the crew and they enjoyed it.
Chrissy and I took a morning to pick strawberries. We each got 16 quart bags frozen

So what do you shop for when traveling up north MN...why moccasins of course.

And a t-shirt or sweatshirt or two.
Ummmmm OK Jess whatever you want to think....

A couple of nice fires as well...until the mosquitoes drove us indoors to the card table

It looks as if lots was solved around this fire pit :)

Don't forget the smores they were pretty darned good and perfectly roasted.
It was a blast, thanks to the group for taking the time to come up to the Northwoods. Love you guys.

July 4th 2011

And is also, of course, known as Independence Day. And since a well known MN Congress person tends to put her own spin on a variety of subjects I thought I, a little known American, could as well.

Independence day it was this past week for my MN girls. While Julia was at school Shelby and I got to try out her new pool.

Here she is asserting her Independence by totally ignoring grandma's request to stay in the pool


The two of us did enjoy our day together

Here the girls are with their Independence Day outfits on for the school parade.
And true to the word Independence, they are asserting theirs
Deciding they did not want to pose for pictures
But I kept snapping and was able to catch this adorable one
Have a wonderful safe July 4th everyone