Serenity in Pinks and Blues

Ahh, the Lord is a great artist!

Big Sandy Lake Parking Spot

This is our lake parking spot “Up North” without our coach (or any leaves on the trees). We’re cleaning it up, planting some perennials, burning old wood, picking the chives, and making it “Home Sweet Home”! Shayne and Sarah’s cabin is just down the hill closer to the water.

Addy in Sun Glasses

Memorial Day was spent at Big Sandy Lake with Shayne, Sarah, Addy, and all the Hannis. The weather was really nice “one” day. Addy even had to wear her sunglasses.

Mille Lacs Lake

After spending Addy’s birthday and Memorial Day “Up North”, we are now parked “At the Lake”. We love parking with a view of the lake from every window!

Monaco North Central Rally--St. Cloud, MN

Here we are parked on Monaco Avenue with 18 other Monaco coaches and a bunch of crazy people. We pulled in on Wednesday and will leave tomorrow, but in between we eat, drink, and be merry!

St. Louis

Mitch got the okay from the doctor, “The wrist is looking good”. It still hurts like heck and he can’t drive, but we left Orlando Saturday morning. With me doing the driving and Mitch doing the riding, we stopped about every other rest stop and only put on about 400 miles a day.

The first “big” stop--the St. Louis area to see my folks. We spent some time with my brother Larry Vern and wife Jan and then visited Mom and Dad. They are in the same care facility, Dad in the Assisted Living side, and Mom in the Nursing Home side. Dad is doing relatively well. We had a nice chat, but the memory goes immediately. Mom is stable, and with her baby doll seems calm and content.

Iowa

When we got to Iowa City we were able to visit with Mitch’s cousin, Karen, and husband, John. We had an excellent meal and delightful conversation.

We made it to Garner just as Mitch’s mom got home from surgery to relocate her pacemaker. She is doing well and we enjoyed our short stay.

Eden Prairie, MN

Finally Thursday we arrived in Minnesota and were anxious to see Addy (and Shayne and Sarah, too). We spent a “busy” afternoon watching Addy on the move. She really gets around and is such a cutie with “all that hair” and fun verbalizations. Turn the sound up on the dog video and listen to her say Kaiser (Dai do).

On the Road Again--Northern Minnesota

We have finally arrived in northern Minnesota, and as you can see, it’s just barely not winter! Where are the leaves on the trees? Where is the 90 degree weather?

Up North

We parked the coach at “our spot” at Shayne and Sarah’s cabin and the summer is ready to roll. Our first picnic (so we are all wearing coats and Max has on a hat) and s’mores over the campfire. This is Minnesota!

A Couple Cute Baby Pictures

Addy has the cutest ladybug hat (and she leaves it on).

At breakfast Max introduced Addy to her first blueberries. He enjoyed his very much!

Happy First Birthday, Addy!

So this is a birthday cake and I eat it...how?





Yum...this is good!!

The Mitchell Family

Addy spends her car riding time like many other young ladies--on the phone (I think she’s talking to Cousin Brayden in Florida checking out the weather!)

Shayne, Sarah, and Addy

A Morning with Addy

A knock on the door and hand the baby to Grama! Yea--we get to play with Addy. She was a busy girl exploring the motorhome. She read books with Grampa and had a little snack.

Dancing to the Music--Addy

She also “found” the front of the coach and when the CD started playing she danced--just like Brayden did. We just love those babies!!!

Feeding Frenzy

We took a little trip to Animal Kingdom Lodge and saw these beautiful giraffes eating banana leaves like a piece of celery. The grounds of the Lodge are gorgeous and we came upon a flock of greater flamingos eating in their little pond. I didn't know they were pink because of what they eat--pink food! (Actually red crustaceans they filter from the mud--although I don't know if that's what happens at Disney World.) Then Pat, John, Mitch, and I partook of the African buffet at Boma Restaurant--40 ethnic foods to choose from. I particularly liked the curry pasta salad, the mashed potato-cinnamon-honey sweet potatoes (fufu), and the upside down pineapple cheesecake on white chocolate. Very interesting food, and a lot of fun!