slow travel

We stayed at the Super 8 in St. James last night and got up, had breakfast, swam and now are driving home on wintery roads. So thankful Brad is a great and cautious driver. 

the gathering

 

On the prairies of southern MN the Blomgren family gathered. We got to meet the charming Collins H and talk and laugh a lot. What wonderful memories were made. 

dinner in a greenhouse

Last night I went to dinner with dear fun group friends Sarah, Michelle, Jen, Gretchen and Angie at a greenhouse over in Hudson at San Pedro. I love my friends. 

well that escalated quickly

 

8 months old and she’s going to be a big sister! 

the view

Today at 5pm I hiked up to my little spot at mound park to take a photo of the view. Here it is and you can see the sun still in the sky at 5:28pm. Daylight is lengthening! 

melt

It's beginning to feel a lot like springtime! The snow is melting and the spirits are rising. How exciting. 

candlelit walk

Last night Katie and I went on a lovely walk together and enjoyed a ice lantern experience on the campus of UWRF. So lovely with one of my favorite people.

lunch with Thibs

Today I went to church to listen to Lindsey read scripture and lead prayers. Then I met my dear friend Julie at Lolo in Hudson for lunch. We took some fun snaps and laughed a LOT! 

2 hikes by the Kinni

This morning I hiked with friend Meg by the Kinni and this free noon with friend Michelle. Such a fresh and amazing bday for hiking! 

happy birthday 🎈 Daddy B

Happy happy birthday dear Daddy in heaven. 

Sunrise on his birthday 

Sunset on Daddy’s birthday

And here is a beautiful tribute by brother Kurt:

In visiting the Butterfield cemetery this morning to reflect on yesterday’s celebration of life ceremony and burial for Butch, I couldn’t help but be totally impressed with this flower display, complete with garden seed packets.  I thought of how many thousands of displays he and and Marilyn had put together and his own is a masterpiece as well, it seemed perfectly fitting.  I walked 20 feet away to Ross’s headstone to view the green bow tie I placed there yesterday.  I had grabbed it out of his room to put in my pocket to give me a good omen for speaking yesterday.   In between Ross and Butch, is my father’s grave.  It happens to be his birthday today.

sunrise on the farm

I got to wake in my childhood bedroom this morning and saw a lovely sunrise. Before uncle Butch’s funeral. I’m home now and ready for bed after a whirlwind trip, but I’m still glowing from the sunrise this morning. 

visitation

I left school mid day to drive first to St James and then to Trimont to attend the visitation of uncle Butch. I got to see many loved ones and had a great time visiting. 

Marilyn, Jennifer, Melinda, Greg, Aliah, Adam, Nicolas and Sidney. 

Loie, Tammi, Duane, Trudi & Kevin

Mom, Brad, Kurt, Kyle & Kim

Kayo, Erika, Nels and Aiden

Ruby & Doug

Barb and Debb

I learned my uncle won a trophy in the Trimont Crazy Days best male legs contest...the trophy especially made me giggle 

After the visitation Kurt, Mom & I met Barb and Debb for supper at a little restaurant in Ormsby, MN called Bailey’s. 

Now I’m settling in for a long winters nap in Stuart’s room on the farm. So comfy! 

gems

In preparation for the celebration of my uncle Butch’s life, my cousin Jodi posted these photos from her Mommas photo album. Bev was my God mother, first grade teacher and the eldest of six Pierson children. Those five loves their little Butch so much...

my face hurts!

 Need I say more?

love is all around

Happy Valentines Day! We celebrated all day today. Brad got home from ice fishing this morning to discover the new mantle and to make a deal with our mechanic for a new 2005 Dodge red 4 door pickup truck. I got to drive Osten and his buddy Coulter to basketball practice in it. Then Katie and I baked heart cut out cookies and iced them. The recipe was one we used in 2017 for St. Patrick’s Day. So yummy! 

We said so long to Anders who was home for the weekend. Then it was time to work out at anytime, call grandma B, have dinner of homemade hamburger buns and burgers/French fries and now we’re watching the Timberwolves game. Hopefully they can win their 7th game of the season. Update! The Timberwolves won 116-112. We immediately called Grandma B to celebrate. 

Photo from Valentines Day 2008 with our friend group

Our heart cookies 

Jenna’s little peanut, Collins in her first Valentine’s Day 

Our new ride 

below zero, a hike, ice fishing and a little mantle freshen

Today has been a day of sun zero temps. This morning I woke for a walk/coffee date with Meg A, then home to clean floors and make lunch. Next was a massage at Lori’s Spa, then a hike to the River Falls lookout and lastly came home to decorate our mantle. Soon we’re going to watch a little One and Only Ivan. Brad has been up north ice fishing. He reported getting skunked while brother Brent caught five. I’ll update tomorrow if he got more fish