Away we go...

I thought I better weigh in before we begin our great adventure in Ireland. This may be the last you hear from me as we will be driving across the island, on the wrong side of the road and I have great fears of falling off the ring of Kerry. I am going to take mom's advice and actual take a tour bus for that route. We are so not ready to leave, nothing is packed and we have all kinds of loose ends to tie up before we depart at 5AM on Thrusday. Oh well, I imagine I will have many stories and pictures upon our return.

Kathy

Good luck everyone!

It seems like everyone is taking off or starting new adventures either last week or within the next couple of weeks. So, here's Mikaela and Kacher packed away in a suitcase, saying to you all world travelers, and studious studiers- good luck in your upcoming adventures, and please fill us in, and KACH US UP on your adventures on this great blog site :)

Thanks for that post, Kari, I hope you read the comment I left you at the end of your post (just click on comments).

We're Home!!

Great job on the blogs updates and pictures, Amelia!!!! And the whole idea of course.

We just returned from our week at Broadwater Lodge. It was a great week but lonely as "the girls" were not there. We are counting on them for next year though, right, Kelsey?

Perfect weather, lots of sun and saunas, and good food too. We returned last night (well, 1:30 am) and knew immediately something was WRONG!!! The house was quiet, there was no longer a high chair in the kitchen, no more toys...Amelia, Mikaela and Kacher were no longer there! Of course, we knew they wouldn't be there, but it really hit us when we returned.

What a great week we had!!!! You could never imagine more wonderful guests to have. We had so much fun! Amelia's wonderful smile as she did so many activities. Who else would return from pushing 2 kids in a double stroller in 90 degree humidity for 7 miles around two lakes and say, "That was fun!!!!!!". What lucky kids to have Amelia for their mom.

Mikaela was more talkative and loveable than ever. I think I know where she gets her enthusiasm from. It took me about five days at the cabin before I miss hearing her voice whenever I was around kids. Whoever has spent a busy week with a three year old with NO tears or angry outbursts? Although, even if she did have angry outbursts and tears, she would be every bit as great. The world is much more amazing when you have a three year old around to share it with.

Kacher is amazing, what a mover!! Seems as though he will be walking soon. As long as he could see the dogs (and he can say "DOG") he was a very happy guy.

My house is empty and quiet and I sure miss my house guests. I hope we are starting a new tradition and I can look forward to their visit next summer. Thank you Amelia for being so adventurous and driving your wonderful children all the way to Minnesota!!! We sure love you!!! And we missed Tyler!!!

I will write more later, it is time for me to go to the Farmers Market. My refrigerator is empty and while I don't have my houseguests any more, I know that Kelsey is very busy with her first week of school and she will need lots of vegetables to keep up her studying...

One question...how do you know who is writing? For me, I will just say...

Love, Kari

B & B's wedding

Here's some pictures of Ben and Bonnie and their wedding, people were asking to see.

Book CLUB

So I don't want to force anyone to read Twilight... So here's some more book ideas of books I liked, please everyone add some ideas and let's pick one together!
-These is my words---- a young women's adventures in settling in the Arizona territory back in the 1800's (this is probably my favorite book of all time)
-Carter beats the devil---- a fun mystery
-A town like alice
-Mutiny on the bounty trilogy
-A gree grows in Brooklyn
-Jodi Picoult books are usually pretty good (my sister's keeper, vanishing act)

I know every one is going out of town soon, so maybe we should start up in september
let me know!!!
amelia

what a week...

What a great week! Lake Harriet, Burnsville water park, Historic street cars, malts, trader joes, more parks, lakes, runs, good food, and farmers markets galore... Thanks for taking such good care of us when we come, and especially making sure we have fun!!!

we miss minnesota !!!

Here's a quick blur of our week in MN, I tried to capture as many people as possible. This bottom picture was in St. louis park water park

in need of lunch recipe!!!

So---
We made it home safe and sound, I"ll post some good pictures of the trip as soon as my camera batteries charge. Thanks so much for a wonderful week. Our drive back was easier than I could have ever hoped for. Mikaela watched Cinderella, Dr. Seuss, Little Mermaid and others. When Kacher wasn't sleeping, he listened to the movies, and chowed down on multi colored goldfish, thanks to Nonny Pat. I was wide awake and so into my book on cd "Angry Housewives eating bonbons" that by the time we got to Chicago, we had no need to stop! So, we kept on driving through and did the whole trip in a day.
Actually, the reason for my post- I need ideas. I was inspired by my Angry housewives eating bonbons book, to organize a neighborhood lunch. I have 3 of my neighbors coming over on Friday for lunch, and I don't know what to serve?!?!? They are bringing things like spinach dip, and other appetizers- what is a good lunch that I could prepare? Please please please send your ideas your way, I know Kari is out of town this week, but you who eat with her a lot, maybe tell me something that she would cook.
Thanks for your help,
Amelia

Hey, is anyone out there? Congratulations to Amelia and Kari for getting this set up. I'm looking forward to getting lots of info from the family this way. \

Congrats to Ryan and Abbie on bambino boy! Looking forward to seeing them tonight at kathy's. Love, Sandy