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.

A Weekend Walk

The day is new, there is nothing pressing , it is unusually cool for July and all is peaceful. Dan and I started the day by going for a walk right behind our house. I just love that I can get "to the woods" on foot and it seems each time I go I discover something new. This walk did not disappoint.

I tied up my shoes and headed out the door, stopping at my own flower bed on the way out.

Cosmos

On down the hill to the wild flowers. These flowers are "Mexican Hat" flowers and it is easy to see why.

The neighbor behind us has a whole field of Black Eyed Susan's. This is a new field and we are enjoying their first year of producing.

The following pictures are a scan of one huge tree. We explored down a little trail we had never been before and came across this very huge tree. I believe it is as big as I have ever seen. It has seen a blizzard or two, many birds have enjoyed it's branches, and I wonder about the little boys that have played in and under it.

, A little patch of wild flowers that we found on the edge of the woods. Does anyone know what they are?

Back at home I had to take a shot of the coreopsis blooming in my back yard. What a delightful time we had.

Wa-Ga-Tha-Ka

What you say is that? Well, it is the name of the resort that we visited this past weekend at the invitation of my cousin, Sandy and her husband Jim. It is near Grand Rapids, MN. on beautiful Lake Wabana. We arrived on Sunday evening and stayed until Tuesday and had a wonderful visit with them.

Sandy and I grew up together and have been good friends our whole life.

Jeremy and Kara are the newlyweds that were visiting from Canada. Jeremy is Jim and Sandy's youngest. They are preparing for missionary service in the near future.

We enjoyed a beautiful day with lots of sun but as you can tell from the jackets and blankets that it was rather cool.

We enjoyed a game about beans (can't remember the name). It must have been beginners luck because I came in 2nd. Maybe they just helped out an ignorant bean farmer and that is why. When it comes to strategy, well let's just say it is not my strong suit.

There were lots of ducks on this lake as well as loons. We looked out and saw one mama duck with 20 little duckling following right behind here. We decided that this had to be a ducky daycare.

Just enjoying a relaxing day and then moving into a great evening.

            We ended up the day enjoying a wonderful sunset and a nice warm bon fire. I learned about a new snack roasted in the bon fire - bananas with marshmallows and chocolate all cooked together - Very yummy - thanks Jim and also enjoyed a russet potato cooked in the fire with a little butter and sea salt. Life is good.

Thank you Jim and Sandy for the invitation and guys don't forget we still haven't finished that Eucher game - something to look forward to.