A Long Time Gone...

Hi All,

Ok, ok, I know I'm so far behind on blogging! We were in Minnesota for two and a half weeks. We got back almost two weeks ago. Guess it has been awhile!

The kids, the two dogs and I drove out to MN and it went great. The kids are awesome travellers and so are the dogs. We stayed two nights at my sisters, 6 nights at my mom's, 8 nights at my in-law's and one night on the way home in Rapid City. Todd had a meeting in Albuquerque, then flew to Denver for a night with his sister and brother in law and then flew to our hometown in MN. He was in MN a day and a half before leaving with his dad for their Canada fishing trip.

I:

*enjoyed a visit with my niece, Kallie

*met college friend, Becky, and her two kids at a lake/beach for fun, picnic and chatting

*enjoyed a meal with my Grandparents Amerud

*was reunited with some cousins/aunt at a dinner at my sister's

*drove up to the North Shore of Lake Superior for a day with Mom/kids (my favorite place in the world)

*visited my Grandma Huber

*grilled steaks...all by myself (they were only a little burnt in only one little place...)
*toured a lighthouse

*explored a waterfall and did some hiking (way to go, Mom!!)

*had a great visit with junior high friend, Shelly, her kids

*visited my uncle's grave

*enjoyed a day with my sister-in-law, Heather, and my two other nieces

*celebrated my 39th birthday (for the first time!!)

*visited my Dad's log home and enjoyed seeing all his projects

*spent some time on a dock on a lake listening to the water sounds

*spent a day sick to my stomach

*went to several parks/picnics with the kids

*visited with the wonderful "old" friends from Brainerd Medical Center

*tossed rocks with the kids to see who could land one on a lily pad

*met my "birthday present" (my god sister's new baby - so sweet and born on my birthday!! Very cool gift but they wouldn't let me take her home...)

*had a mini-reunion with old high school friends at a coffee house (thanks for coming, guys!!)

*Drove through Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills on the way home and encourage you to do the same if you are ever there.

And so much, much more. I'm sure I left out some really cool stuff. What's sad is that I still only got to do about half the things I wanted to do! There are so many folks there we love and wanted to get to see. Well, maybe next time...

Thanks to our families for hosting our little circus and for all the great meals and memories and love!!

Jackson and Claire Wallerick with my kids:

Mom and kids at the Ariel Lift Bridge, Duluth:Gooseberry Falls, upper falls, North Shore:Cave near the upper falls:Brennen in the red shirt perched on the rock mid-photo:Split Rock Lighthouse museum, North Shore:Split Rock Lighthouse:Funny tree photo shoot with my kids and nieces, Cierra and Rhiannan...they are the cutest and sweetest kiddos!:

"Old" friends - new memories (borrowed your photo, Doug, hope that's OK!):

My "birthday gift" -welcome, Caiden!! (I borrowed this picture from Kay - thanks, Kay!!)Sorry, Todd took 0, zippo, nada, zilch, zero pictures in Canada. So, all we really have is his word for it that he actually caught fish! :O)

Also, no pictures from Grandma Mary's house, either. :O(

And that was my trip....coming soon...First Day of School!!!

Love yous,

Christy