Dan's Birthday

We had a great family time for Dan's birthday this year. It was Dan's desire to go to the arboretum to see the different flowers and shrubs that they have there and then to have dinner at Buca's. Dan's mom told us that she was coming to visit friends in Waterloo and that she was planning on spending some time with us too which happened to be during that week so she went to the arboretum with us.

We saw lots of beautiful flowers. Some cool arrangements in pots

A cool tree with these big seed pods

Neat water falls

I really liked these.

A shrub with blue berries on it.

A turkey.

A really cool quilt which they are raffling off in September. I actually bought a raffle ticket so maybe this will be displayed in my house come September. If it becomes mine I plan to make a Northwood's bedroom for my guests when they visit.

After touring the Arboretum we met at Buca's where the family all joined us for a great dinner together.

We were seated at the pope table - having him join us was a little weird.

b Happy Birthday Dan

That evening everyone came to our house to hang out. It was a very fun day.

The little kids had a great time together too.

Day Trip to Albert Lea

Since the beginning of the summer I have had intentions of going to spend the night with Kathryn in Albert Lea. After turning the calendar over to August I decided that it was time to get going.  I happened to pick the very day the Freeborn County fair opened, lucky me.

I arrived mid afternoon and shortly after that we made our way to the fair. Now most people drive their cars to the fair and find a place to park them. Kathryn lives very close to the fair and it is easily walking distance. We did walk home but I received the most unique ride inside the gates that I could ever imagine. Yes, I rode in the Albert Lea ambulance to go to the fair. Kathryn is a paramedic and works on the ambulance and during fair week the ambulance and team are always on site. The team was just returning from a call and so they stopped and picked us up. I didn't get to go with sirens or lights but it still was pretty cool.

The space in the back of an ambulance has all kinds of nooks and storage places for supplies.

Thanks guys for the ride - It was great.

We walked through the commercial building and found a nitro ice cream stand. They gave me a generous sample and I was hooked. We went back before leaving and Kathryn and I shared a dish. YUMMY. It is a very smooth and creamy ice cream, firm yet soft if that makes any sense.

We watched some square dancing while we ate our ice cream and then walked home shortly after.

After hanging out at Kathryn's for a while we grilled a steak with some corn on the cob and enjoyed a walk around part of the lake. It was a very fun evening.

I had to leave early the next morning to return to Rochester to help out at our VBS so our time of fun was over.

Birthday Season Has Begun

This past weekend we kicked off the season of birthdays in the Arm's family. Elise turned 2 and Denise turned 32 so of course it was time for a party. Not wanting Denise to loose the distinction of her birthday we actually had two parties in the same day. We met at Dos Amigos for lunch and since it was such a beautiful day we were able to eat on the patio.

Eating at a Mexican restaurant of course mean having chips and salsa.

We enjoyed a time of visiting and Denise opened presents from our family and then we all headed in our own direction to rest up for the big party that night.

We gathered at the Moody home later in the day and enjoyed the company of many friends.

Isaac and Elise were playing a little pre dinner music for us.

We enjoyed a delicious Dora cake

Elise went right into her cake, at least the frosting anyway.

The new potty chair was a big hit. She wanted it right out of the box and sat right down.

The water table was loads of fun too.

We are so very thankful for the family God has given to us. We wish both Denise and Elise a very happy birthday and that they will be blessed in the coming year.

35 Years - Now That Is a Long Time!

Very recently Dan and I had the happy occasion of celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary. I frankly never thought I would be old enough to do such a thing but believe it or not I am.

We talked about it a week or so before and it was decided that we would take a little get-away trip. We left on Sunday morning and made our way to Wisconsin, stopping in Eau Claire to see a musical production at the State Theater. The acting and dancing were exceptional.

We continued down the road, meandered through construction and finally came to our place of lodging. It truly did live up to its name as our view was very pleasant.

This is our B&B tucked back in the trees on Lake Wisota. The view from our patio A sailboat on the lake Steps down to the dock - they went down quite a ways. View of the Lake

We stayed in the Winds and Waves room. It had a really comfy king sized bed.

After settling in we went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner and then came back and enjoyed a walk. The sun was reflecting on the water and was so pretty. We did walk right into a little shower and got slightly damp. The positive side is that we got to enjoy a beautiful, full rainbow. Of course that rainbow reminded me of God's great love and faithfulness and the promise He made to Noah. I cannot praise God enough for His faithfulness to me.

In the morning we were served a nice breakfast. Shortly after breakfast we packed up and headed home.

Having a cup of coffee made me a happy camper. We enjoyed a wonderful 35th anniversary and give God the glory for all he has done in our lives.