surprise!

Sometime in the middle of last week with all my cooking and working and running and nights out with friends, and furniture rearranging and school conferences........ (phew, and that doesn't even include all my normal "mom" tasks) I got it into my little head that I should surprise my mom with a quick visit. (Every item I listed above is a blog post waiting to happen. I just haven't had time yet) According to one of her last blog posts she

has been a little blue and missing my dad as she is in this transitional period of life. (They are in the midst of re-locating to Iowa. Since January my dad has been there working while my mom waits behind in Nebraska for the house to sell.)

I tossed the idea around in my head all week. I really loathe the 10 hour drive - especially when I am the only driver - and I had been so busy all week I kind of wanted to stay home and just relax. Then late Saturday night I checked the forecast and realized if I stayed home I would be enjoying a spring break full of snow. That was all the impetus I needed to pull myself out of bed Sunday morning, throw our bags into the back of the car and hit the highway!

And for once in my life the surprise worked! I actually managed to keep it a secret and i even talked to my mom while driving! I dropped Aidan off and kept my car hidden on the back side of their block. What fun! We were even able to see my dad before he headed to Omaha for some business meetings and thus far we have spent the majority of our time walking Charlie, playing with Charlie and making crafts.

Aidan picked out two Chinese origami and paper cutting books at his school book fair last week and we have been busy decorating Nana's walls.

In honor of our Chinese crafts we had an Aisan themed dinner last night as well.

I don't know - I think I may have over-done it with the food. looks like we won't have to cook today.

a few more trip pics

We spent a few days at my parents house. Aidan loved playing with Charlie, I don't know that the feeling is mutual. However, for the first time ever Charlie slept in the same room as Aidan. Usually Aidan tries to force Charlie to sleep in his room and Charlie endures for a few minutes and then whines at the door until we set him free. This year they must have come to some kind of understanding, or maybe Charlie is just getting too old and tired to put up a fuss. Regardless, Aidan was thrilled to wake up one morning and find Charlie was still on the foot of his bed. And yes, these photos make me want to buy Aidan a dog.

My Mom and Dad put us to work. Aidan hauled about 25 bags of mulch and apparently acquired some huge muscles while doing so.

Enjoying a well-deserved break from Aidan.

its almost december

so i figured i should finish blogging about october.







we went to visit my parents and spent a few days at their home and a few days in Estes Park, CO.




Here's a few pics.



We had a good time with some great company.








(Aidan receieved a free deoderant at the cabins we stayed at. He kept it in his pockets the whole trip
and would whip it out and re-apply every so often)

This is the the man who has owned Tiny Town mini golf course and cottages for the past 50 years. My dad golfed there when he was a kid and we have been golfing there every year as well.

Our trip to the mountains was short but while we were there we enjoyed some of the most perfect fall days. Thanks Mom and Dad!

why, yes i can

i have been busy lately, you may have already assumed this is the case by my lack of posts. the first day of school has come and gone, the last flowers are leaving my garden and soup weather has arrived. i have been to the Boundary Waters, the Junk Bonanza and all sorts of places in between. it is not for lack of things to blog about, I just can't seem to find any words right now.

so if you don't mind, i will just give you some pictures. i had a great time in the BWCA with two friends a few weeks ago.... maybe i will start there.

so..............

.............it's been about a month. I am so behind I don't even know if I will try to catch us up. I have a few pictures, even less words to share.





But right now I am packing my bags and heading to the BWCA with some girlfriends. That's right, a girls only trip.





I am planning to sit here again and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, some good company, a good book and some Bailey's in my morning coffee.

I am hoping to come back refreshed and inspired to share again. Enjoy your weekend - I plan to do the same with mine.

Their Virgin Voyage

This year we took both Aidan and my parents to the Boundary Waters for the very first time.

The good news is - we all survived.

We had more than enough fish to eat, lots of sunshine and good company.

Aidan remarked just this morning that he would like to have some desserts next time we go, but other than that and a little sunburn, we were no worse for the wear.

My mom has already blogged that we left our house at 3:00 am. That way we could eat a nice breakfast,

stop and pick up our permits,



our canoes,





and be in the water by 9:00 am.

Headed out to the open waters!

Our trip consisted of lots of canoeing and very little portaging. We canoed across Moose Lake which is a "tow lake" for most people. But not us!!!!!!

James, my mom and I were busy setting up camp. So my dad thought it would be a good idea "for Aidan" if they just started fishing.

They had the pole in the water for less than five minutes when...................

................Aidan caught a fish.

I hurried to grab my camera so I could take a picture and in the meantime Aidan caught another walleye.



At this point James decided fishing would be much more rewarding than setting up camp, so
it was up to my mom and I to pump water, chop wood and finish organizing the camp.

Our campsite will remain a secret.

Sorry.

Because let me tell you, with that campsite we really hit the mother lode.

The only drawback was that our tents had to be right next to each other and unfortunately someone in each tent snored.





But we had bountiful offshore fishing, a cool breeze, privacy, wild roses, a beaver dam (for a constant wood supply) and later this summer some lucky camper will have wild strawberries, raspberries and blueberries for breakfast.

I think this is one of the last fishing photos I took because the novelty began to wear off.

A few rain clouds started to roll in so I literally had to beg, plead and coerce the men to put down their poles and help us with a tarp shelter.

Dinner for night one.

Gathering wood

My mom sawing wood.

fillet-o-fish

Nursing some bug-bites.

He already has plans to take his wife to the BWCA someday!

The last morning James and I were up early to take down the camp and we found Aidan sprawled across all three thermarests.

The morning we left the wind started off calm but we fought a fierce wind most of the way back. And no sooner had we packed up our gear and put the canoes back on top of the car, than a huge rainstorm hit. I am glad we made it out while we did.

And after a few days of healthy eating, we stopped at Gordy's in Cloquet for some burgers and ice cream.

Butterscotch malts.......................Mmmmm............ A perfect ending to a perfect trip.