Visit from Grandma and Gramps!

It was so wonderful to have visitors in the Northland! Eric and his Dad went on a canoe fishing adventure for 4 days-

Lest you think Eric smashed his finger on a rock...



He was actually bit by a snapping turtle...he claims it was "gigantic"- see for yourself. : ) Pretty big, but does resemble a rock of sorts.



Elias, Grandma and I stayed home and played...we sewed, shopped, canned fruit, and went on bike rides! It was a great

And when the big boys got home we ate lots of Phish!

Garden Bounty-

I love vegetables. I love watching them grow. I love gardens. I love eating from them.



Meet our new fish...or "dish" as Elias calls him.
He has white translucent skin that sparkles in the sun, dark black eyes. He lives in our kitchen window and hides under the cover of the foliage in his bowl. I cut my finger while slicing veggies yesterday and a drop of blood got in his bowl- he went crazy swimming for it. So Naturally, his name is Edward. Did I mention that he is the most hansom fish I have ever seen?



Elias loves to catch the chickens and give them hugs. He puts them in the coop for me. He is a boy after his mothers heart. I love him so much.

Minneapolis

GO Twins!


Elias and I tagged along with Eric to buisness meetings in the "Twin" Cities for the week...We rode the light rail...Elias is obsessed with Trains. He was a little scared in this pic- the train was pretty loud.


We went to the Mall of America...a little overwhelming to us both. Elias loved Lego world and the Nicolodean theme park.


...I preferred Ikea

These are a Few of My Favoite Things

The County Fair

I LOVE going to the fair. I am totally a farm girl at heart. I love the ducks, horses, chickens, and most of all the Cows. I have always wanted to milk a cow. Every year we go to the Fair and I say "this is my year". I have had luck with milking goats. But this year I got a real treat, that's right. A big Heifer- totally engorged. It was so awesome. I totally milked her. I smiled for the rest of the day.



I am really enjoying Minnesota. We have a local organic garden that I am in love with and I get all my produce there. I also am able to buy farm fresh milk from a near by farm. I let the cream settle to the top of the jar and make my own butter. It is sooo good. Mmm mmm. With my fresh chicken eggs I am really in heaven.



Who Knew little kid rides were this much fun? It was so fun to see Elias get excited about the rides.

We camped out Friday night after going to the Fair- then Saturday we went to a Strawberry farm and picked and ate. We came home with almost 50lbs of Strawberries. Did I say 50? Yes. 50 Lbs. I have already made LOTs of Jam. And today at Chruch somebody brought Rhubarb to give away. So, more Strawberry, Rhubarb Pie.

Boundary Waters and Walnut Grove, MN

Juan and Eric went on a canoe trip to the Boundary waters of Minnesota. They had a great time. We drove Juan back to Kansas this week. It was sad, but it was a good, good bye. We know the family he is living with and they are great. We have been blessed to have Juan in our home for this last year.


To see more pictures from this trip click here

Also, I have been reading the Little House on the Prairie Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I am a bit obsessed. I have loved this series for years, but reading it again with Juan has really been fun. We visited two of her homesteads on our way to Kansas this week. DeSmet, SD and Walnut Grove, MN. I LOVED taking it all in. Elias loved the animals. He rode a horse and thought he was pretty cool.



So, my next chicken is going to be named Laura. : )

Click here for more pictures of the Ingalls Homestead

Juan's Baptism

Juan is a delightful and kind boy. We are lucky to have him in our home and in our lives. His Baptism was a sweet occasion.

We are settling in up North in Crookston, Minnesota. The summer weather is beautiful nice and cool compared to hot, hot, humid Kansas (although I still love Kansas). North Minnesota has summer weather quite similar to Alaska. I have been reflecting on Alaska lately. Alaska is still my dreamland and feeling like I am there again has been exciting to me.

Poo poo on the Potty!!

It is a day to celebrate! Elias asked to go potty and he really did go...on the toilet!!
Happy Day! Who knew poopies could be so great?