the bee!

A gorgeous weekend for the Butterfield Threshing Bee!  Our family made the journey south and west for the 47th annual show.  We were well fed and entertained with the activities and foods under the lovely grove of trees in Voss Park. 

On Saturday, we arrived at about 11am, viewed and sat on a few tractors, took a spin on the miniature train, ate chicken sandwiches, egg rolls and hotdogs at the First Lutheran stand, bought freshly ground flour at the flour bin by the windmill and worked the Women's Auxillary stand where we served Kraut dogs and beverages.  That evening, we traveled to St. James to dine with Kurt, Ross and Grandma B/Grandpa B and were served by Kyle Jr. and ate pizza prepared by Adam.  Saturday night was return to Mountain Lake and sleep off a day of fresh air and sunshine. 

What a wonderful day at the Bee!

lefse tasting

Cockshutt tractor testing

riding the rails

cycles

This morning, our seven year old was up and ready to bike over to Greenwood--the class lists are posted today!  She is so excited and it was brimming from every pore.  I did have to go to work, but I'm sure Brad will indulge and take a few moments away from his work to take our sweet one over.

She is hoping that she will have a few kids that she already knows, but is eager to make more friends.  It was interesting because she shared that it's always fun to have new kids in the class.  When I asked her what it was like to be a new kid, she shared that it was fun, but she was happy that she doesn't have to stand up in the opening assembly this year.  I would have thought the recognition would be right up her ally, but perhaps she has a little more of her Great Grandma Annie in her than I ever imagined.

Today is my last college visit day before I embark on my new teaching adventure.  It is so interesting to watch the tour groups come through.  More often than not, the college student candidate looks lethargic in the early hours of the morning and their parents/parent/guardian has a notebook and very attentive affect.

The whole cycle of life is fascinating--from emerging 2nd grader eagerly waiting to see who is in her class--to college student candidate lethargy--to college parent attentiveness.  I don't know if I will be aware of this as we help our children search for the right path, but I am well aware at this time.

eager emerging 2nd grader

lovely Senior who is or soon will be actively searching for options after High School

eager parents who have started or will soon start helping their sons' find their path

shades of cool

you can look sharp

you can look sassy

you can wear them AND eat brownies

you can wear them over your glasses

you can look marvelous

fishing photos

I just happened upon lovely Shannon Richter's photos from her fishing trip with our eldest child, her husband, friends Jerry and Tom and uncle Brent.  Above is A's first catch of the day.

uncle Brent helping pull in BIG fish

displaying the catches of the day

cozy camper

The camper that Bud and Betty lends us every year is so comfortable and retro.  It was fun pulling up next to a deluxe camper.  One that had a full kitchen/tv etc inside and also had a grilling kitchen/gigantic flat screen tv mounted on the outside so the owners could entertain the campground with their amazing expensive toy.

At first, the owners of the approximately $25,000 RV turned their noses with disdain at our humble abode, but when they saw how quickly and efficiently we set up/packed up, I think they realized that they had an extravagant unit.  

What is the purpose of a camper?  Comfort and great memories I say.  We were able to accomplish both objectives quite nicely.

rob in hood photos

The G-nomes in yellow--A is giving me thumbs up on far right

friends in character--Grunt and a soldier

delivering his grunting lines

Here are some photos of the performance of Rob In Hood where our amazing A played the part of Grunt.  He adores the stage and I hope he can keep cultivating that love of performing.