so long July

July was a quick month and today we’re saying goodbye. Spent the day cleaning floors, having coffee with Katie, working out and picking up Brad from a business trip to California. 

starting the braces journey

Today I thought Osten was getting brackets, but they just took 3D images of his teeth to form a treatment plan. Next Tuesday is the day!  

cemetery walk and found my dress!

This morning, I read a great book about the Larson and Pierson families. I learned my great grandparents, Andrew and Anna were buried at the St. James cemetery. Anna was my current age when she died of breast cancer. I drove to the cemetery, got my morning walk in and discovered that both sets of my maternal great grandparents were there! 

After a day of appointments and shopping with Mom, I drove home. I had my eye on a dress from Walmart. I stopped at the Mankato store and found it! What a cool day. 

bear island lake

So much fun with my friends! 

a farewell and a lovely walk around Mountain Lake

We started the day saying goodbye to aunt Marilyn. We got to see lots of family and celebrate Marilyn’s life. Then I went to spend a little extra time with Mom at Good Sam and take a stroll around Mountain Lake. My reward was an ice cold A & W Rootbeer. 

from northern to southern MN

Today was a travel day starting at Bear Island Lake near Babbitt, MN and ending on the home farm in Butterfield. A strong wind storm woke us and then we scurried home. 

Then it was time to clean up and pack up to head to my aunt Marilyn’s visitation & celebration of life in Trimont. Got to see Kyle, Kurt, Cory, Joan, Melinda, Jennifer, Sydney, Greg, Craig, Barb, Jody and David among others. Then, I drove to the home farm stopping at the cemetery to visit family and see Marilyn’s grave. She will be next door neighbor to Dad ❤️. 

Then to Kurt’s where he hosted the Ahern kids on the farm where they came home from the hospital and lived until shortly before our family took up residence. We had dinner together and enjoyed conversation. Kyle, Cory, Joan, Vance and Vander. 

Next part written by Kurt:

After dinner, a real treat for our farm, and more importantly the people that have lived here, is that cousin Craig Ahern gifted my grandson Vander the little red wagon that he had while he grew up on this farm.  His sisters talked about how much time he spent whittling while sitting in it.  Craig built tree houses that I was able to navigate when we moved here when I was six.  This summer Craig restored the wagon and gifted it to Vander.  This is priceless for us, and THANK YOU, CRAIG!! 

tile workshop!

Tonight, I went to a tile workshop with friends Angie Bond and Gretchen. We had so much fun creating together. 

bunco!

Last night was Bunco night. I served tacos and strawberry rhubarb crisp. So incredibly fun with a full party and lots of good conversation. 

my fun loving brother Kyle

This is a message my brother Kyle sent this morning:

Our lonely male guinea isn’t lonely any more! They’ve been shacking up for almost a week. What will we call their offspring — turknea or guinkey??? Oh, life on the farm!!!

On another front, Kyle was just recognized as the MN Girls Cross Country coach of the Year in the A division. He works tirelessly for his athletes. Well done, brother. 

prepping

Today, Osten and I went to the Falcon Center to work out, did a lesson in Drivers Ed, watched Ryan and Haley go to Wyoming and prepared for both Bunco party tomorrow night and my classroom for the 25/26 school year. 

I got a walk in with Petra and now enjoying some cool, comfortable air conditioning. 

getting settled in and out for a hike

Saturday and Sunday were fantastic days to get caught up on laundry, yard care, hiking with Julie.