corpse flower

The River Falls Corpse flower is blooming again!  The first time it bloomed was in 2010 shortly after I returned to work after maternity leave with O.  Last night, the kids and I went to see and smell the phenomenon.  We rode our bikes over and could smell the aroma from about 50 yards.  There were several people checking out the flower.  A missed the first blooming and decided that wasn't such a bad thing as the flower is super stinky.  Right after we viewed the flower, we headed over to the hotel to take a dip in the pool.

It was a super fun evening, albeit stinky.

at the 2010 bloom

overwhelmed by the STENCH

the smell was more tolerable in this shot

happy 5th birthday Henry Loren!

Henry, the strong, spirited and quick learner is 5 years old today.  Happy Happy Birthday.

Henry at Lake Michigan

Sunday at the Bee

The lovely weather held for the Sunday show.  Our family arrived on the grounds a little earlier on Sunday as we heard Brian Stout deliver the Sunday Service message at 9am.  We rode the train several more times, visited the children's barn yard, the Tuberg homestead, made a candle, visited the General Store, the harness shop (where we found a receipt my dad had written in 1978) and the country school house.  A spent the entire day with his cousin Ryan as they were working the ice cream stand together.  They worked so well together and it was fun to see their enthusiasm!

Time to say so long to another fun show...I hope it continues on for many years to come and the people who dedicate so many hours are interested in carrying on the traditions/passing the torch.  We left the ground about 4pm and went back to Mountain Lake for BLTs and tearful goodbye.  O really wanted to stay at Grandma and Grandpas--he just had too much fun!

I think it was a long weekend for a 3 year old and everything at the Bee was of high interest to him.  Perhaps the torch can be handed way down to a three year old; we shall see...

walking the tiny rail tracks during the church service

on the wagon ride

working together making ice cream

testing out a cool tractor

brothers at the ice cream stand

Liana making the secret recipe

watching threshing in action

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