Minnesota and Michigan

July 16 - August 2, 2014

First round visits to Florida and Missouri are completed.  Next stop -- Minnesota.  Our son, Steve, and his family live in Afton on eleven wooded acres and a private lake.  It is the kind of property that people imagine when they think of this state:  rural rolling land with lots of pine trees and giant oaks.  Their little Lake Edith is one of the 10,000 lakes that dot the state.  Once again we had a great time visiting with friends and family and seeing some of our favorite parts of the Twin Cities.

A petting zoo at Stillwater's Lumberjack
Days.

Typical little boy:  pajamas, life
jacket, bike helmet and a big stick!

Why use stairs when there is a climbing
wall? Steve built this little hideaway.

Addison takes Niko down at Jujitsu. 

Skate and bike park with lots of daredevil thrills.

Attention all grandparents:  we just discovered the water park.  We took Niko and Addison for a quick three day vacation to Brainerd and stayed at a hotel with a water park.  It was fabulous!  The kids were crazy about it.  We watched them for three to four hours each day as they climbed three flights of stairs and slid down one slide after another.  As soon as they hit the water and paddled to the side, they were running up the stairs to do it again.  Not only did they have a wonderful time, they were totally exhausted at bed time.  Can't wait to repeat again next year!      

Paul Bunyan land--------

This might explain some digestive issues!

Our Porsche Club, Nordstern, was racing at Brainerd International Raceway while we were in town.  They let Brian take the kids out for a couple laps of the track.  He gave them a thrill as they hit 110 mph on the straight away.  Brian enjoyed seeing how the Panamera cornered.  


Time to travel on to Michigan to see my brother and sister in law (Mark and Sue) and attend my 50 year high school reunion.  We tried to eat healthy all day and then while being reintroduced to double penuchle we ate every kind of fattening snack known to man:  chips, crackers, cheese spread, ice cream, chocolate bars......  We were out of control!        

A little apprehensive about attending the reunion.
Those  high school years were not my best!

With Kathy Kelly, my best friend from 3rd grade
through junior high.  

                                           Part of the high school gang:  Kathy, me, Karen, Pat.
                                            Once I got there, I was glad that I went.  A lot 
                                            changes in 50 years!


Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!