The Days around Christmas

During the time we were in Abilene, Ellie experienced losing her first tooth.    She was so excited .

One cooler day in Abilene we headed out to the zoo.  I was really surprised it was such a nice zoo.  Very well cared for and lots to see.    Notice the palm trees wrapped to protect them from some  cool nights West Texas was experiencing.   This is Ellie trying to see something on the other side of the fence.   Papa and Mack were way ahead of us getting pictures.

Instead of giving gifts we decided to do something different.   There is a Ranch about 30 minutes from Abilene called Perini's with a famous restaurant.  We went there one day for lunch.   The beef they serve comes from the cattle roaming all around the place.    During the Bush years they catered food to the White House for some special occasion.  Vic read it is rated the #16 steak place in the US.   

We left Abilene Tuesday morning and started our trip west to Arizona.  This was one of the rest stops a long the way.    

After we checked into our motel in Las Cruces we went out for a walk.  Of course, this man has his camera and couldn't pass up getting pictures of roses still blooming.

Just a few pics of the condo we have for the month.  We like this area of Scottsdale.  This is our 4th visit to this complex but the first time at this condo.

What December Looks Like in ND

We have had quite the week here.   All of a sudden winter hit and it won't stop.    We were warned that we were going to get some snow but so many times it goes a different direction and we just laugh at the forecasters......this time, not so much.   This was taken the first day of the storm which was Tuesday.

Later that day, out he went again after the snow plough came  through and blocked us in again.

Course, with this kind of weather comes issues - so our dear friend Luther came to help.  They needed to climb on the roof to clean out the vents.   I couldn't pass up a pic of them with their Carhartts and Dufus hats.  

This shows a little in the neighborhood and how wintery it looks.   Next year we can look back and remind ourselves to get out of Dodge a little earlier.

A group of gals took a tour of the Local Garden Center - oh my - that was so much fun seeing the huge display of Poinsettias and beautiful flowers growing as winter is hitting on the outside.

This orchid had two stems like this - I wanted to touch it to make sure it wasn't fake.   

This poinsettia was huge and so beautiful - also had a huge price point!

Marsha is checking out some of the plants - We loved it that they allow us to just walk around and enjoy the beauty they have there.

Czech Republic Visitor

Almost 20 years ago this young twenty-some year old man came to GF from the Czech Republic to work with Vic as an intern.    He was immediately taken into our hearts.   It was a special time for Vic to work with him and get him ready to pastor a church in his home country.   This weekend he is back in Grand Forks.   The church he pastors is our sister church.   We are raising money to help them remodel a Cinema that will become their church in Olomouc.    He now has a wife and 3 young children.   He and another man who is the contractor for their church (and a church member) came to our house for lunch today.  We had a great time catching up and learn more about the project they have going there.

Last snap of the Grands

Papa had to shop for something for Rob's birthday so I told the kids we would go to the toy department and look around.   I just had to snap one more picture of them and this is what I got.   What fun we had but before 6:00 am today we were on the road heading to north country.   It always feels good to get home even though we hate saying goodbye to our Texas family.

Traveling to Texas

Our first stop was in Dallas to see Vic's oldest brother and wife.   We had a great time getting caught up with family and chatting about our daily lives.    Don took us on a drive around the city to see changes since we lived here.   One stop was at their church to see the finish remodel.  They have only been in the building a couple weeks.   The men had to try out the new seats.

We visited the Perot Museum with the Slangers.   This was part of Mack and Ellie's birthday celebrations.   Then we headed to Abilene.   The school schedule was in full swing the next morning.  One of the assignments was a Speech.   Their speeches were explaining about an item they got for their birthday.

A Groomless Wedding

We attended a wedding without a groom.    Well, there was a groom but he was in China because his Visa didn't arrive in time.    The bride grew up in GF in our church and the groom came to GF to study at the University.    They meet through some mutual friends in GF.    The bride has been living in China for 15 years.    This picture shows a friend holding up an iPad where the groom was attending the wedding via FaceTime.    GF Herald reporter wrote this....http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/local/4133568-marilyn-hagerty-technology-connects-groom-china-wedding-grand-forks      

The bride's father walked her down the aisle and stood with her during the ceremony.   Since they were already married in China they did not repeat vows but had a few words they each said to each other.   It was a very touching ceremony and fun to be part of such an unique wedding.

Oklahoma

My youngest sister, Beth's only child was married this past weekend in Concord, Oklahoma.   Another sister, Carolyn flew from Portland to Omaha so I picked her up on my way.    We 3 sisters stayed in a little cabin about 15 minutes from the wedding location.   It was fun to have that time together.   However, there was a little panic going on at the wedding site so we headed over there mid afternoon of the wedding.   When we got there we found pails of flowers sitting waiting to for this project to get finished.   Finally, Carolyn (standing on the ladder) asked the young man to please paint where the flowers were going so she could get started.    It was hot and very sunny but we managed to get the flowers up and even find a way to get some water on them.   

The grooms's father, Calder the groom and sister Beth.

Visitors and New Experience

We enjoyed a visit from this family from the Detroit Lakes church.    The older boys are twins and the youngest is a little boy with LOTS of personality,  We sure enjoyed their visit and loved the produce they brought from their garden.

Last Sunday when we stopped in at the Detroit Lakes church they gave us this beautiful quilt.   It is perfect for the lake.   The label was so neat and will help us never forget our time with the dear folks at that church.

Today brought a new experience for us.  Vic was asked to preach at the Chinese Church in Moorhead.   I think the sermon delivery went very well with the help of the interpreter.   He is scheduled to preach there 3 more times.

Late Summer

Lou, Vic and Norm were all August Babies.    Their mother told me she was always right in the middle of canning beans when "it was time".    Over the years we have enjoyed celebrating together but hadn't done it in several years.   This year we decided to make a trip to Iowa so were able to go to Lou's favorite places in Ames - Hickory Park.   We celebrated with coconut cake and it was good!!!

On the way to Iowa we stayed overnight in Minneapolis.  One morning (rather early) we took a walk around a little lake near where we stayed.   It was a beautiful morning with the sun just trying to come up.

While in Iowa we went to the Iowa State Fair.    At lunch we picked Iowa Pork.   It was nice to find a shady place to sit and enjoy our food.

It was Navy Week in Iowa so Norm, being a good Navy man wanted to listen to some music.  It was put on by the Great Lakes Sousapalooza Brass Band.   

While in Iowa we learned that our dear friend Joan Montgomery passed away from a battle she was fighting with ALS.   This is Mike and Joan's daughter and a good friend of Carrie's during the years they lived in Grand Forks.   It was taken at her mother's memorial service.
http://www.hansonrunsvold.com/obituaries/Joan-Montgomery-3/#!/Obituary

After 2 weeks at the lake we returned to see how beautiful our apple tree was.  It is LOADED this year.  We had some heavy rains and some wind while we were gone so had to pick up quite of few of them on the ground.   We hope they can stay on the tree 3-4 more weeks - at least until we get a light frost.

July 12 - . A Special Day

for a special daughter on her 40th Birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CARRIE

Gooseberry Falls and Duluth Canal

We had a fun day hiking around the falls at Gooseberry State Park.   This is one of the most beautiful spots in the State of Minnesota and definitely one of our favorite places to visit.The kids loved the hike and really did well up and down all over the place.

In recent years they added this wonderful safe walking bridge across the falls to get back to the Visitor Center and parking area.   Vic is taking it all in as he enjoys his stroll.

This man was capturing the falls on canvas.

What kid can pass water without playing in it awhile.

When we returned to Duluth we ate leftovers in the room and then went to the canal to enjoy a beautiful bug-free evening.

And, here we are back to water and the rocks that are so much fun to climb on.

Anniversary

Last Sunday at the Detroit Lakes church they served a cake in honor of our 50th Wedding Anniversary. 

Carrie put this in the Grand Forks Herald: 
http://www.grandforksherald.com/celebrations/4057733-50th-wedding  

When Carrie arrived at our house she brought this beautiful bouquet that we have been enjoying.   It is full of different flowers and the lilies keep opening to provide another fresh look.

We have been enjoying some days at the lake.   Carrie went through some swimming lesson routines with the kids.  So nice to see they are getting the hang of it.   That's a must-learn thing for every youngster!!!

We were so happy to see we hit Itasca State Park at peak Pink Lady Slipper time.   They are the must beautiful unusual flower but bloom for a very short period of time.   We went to the Park yesterday and saw several beautiful clusters together.    

We enjoyed a beautiful evening with a chance for S'mores on the Harmeson's deck.   Ian and Hannah are very close to the same age as Mack and Ellie.