A Wedding

Curt and Teri's son Dain, one of the triplets, got married yesterday and we were invited to the wedding. It was a traditional Catholic wedding with a Nuptial Mass, held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savage. Teri warned us ahead of time that the service would be long. 

The reception dinner and dance followed at the Royal Cliff Banquet Center in Eagan. We were able to sit with some of Bruce's fishing buddies and their wives, and that was fun. The food was great! We decided to get out there and dance, and discovered that even though it had been awhile since we had danced, we did okay. The younger people did a lot of line dancing, and I tried to study the movement of their feet closely. I think I need some lessons...

Parents of the Groom

interesting...

yummy!

Dain and Kristina

the photographer

a blast of mist during the Mom and Groom Dance

Will they take a line dance lesson
after all?

Lazy Days At The Arboretum

When we heard that Katie was taking the boys to a story time at the Minnesota Arboretum, I thought it was a good time to renew our membership. And since Katie decided to get a membership for her family, too, there should be plenty of opportunities to go with them. 

The story time was fun. It brought back sweet memories of when our kids were little and how we'd do activities like that. We found a small play area for children ages 1-5, rustic and not at all like a regular playground area. They loved it! We brought a picnic one day, and ate at the cafe another. We didn't stop to see Grandma Gloria's bench again yet, but that can be for another time. There's also a 3 mile drive, which is gorgeous when the leaves turn colors, a sculpture garden to explore, and of course the winter lights to look forward to. Such a calm and peaceful place to hang out at.  💕

lunch at the Rootstock Cafe

a little free library

Labor Day Weekend Photos

Not so sure of this boat ride...

Dean and Nancy
next door are now calling it
Nick Island 💕

the paddle boat still works!

Katie had big plans for these crab apples

Getting to be quite the fisherman

Minnesota State Fair 2025

This year, we went to the State Fair on Senior Day, although we didn't actually plan it that way. And it was a pleasant surprise to find out that tickets were $5 off. Katie decided to go, and met up with us at the Park and Ride on Hopkins Crossroads. The Park and Ride was full when we got there, of course, and we ended up waiting for a return bus with people. Which finally happened, and then we could be on our way.

It was a nice day weather-wise, sunny and with cool breezes. I think that made a big difference in my energy level, and even though we walked almost 10,000 steps (according to my watch) I didn't feel overly tired. We were leisurely, and made sure to sit on a green bench in the 4H building in memory of Mom and Dad. Katie also signed Aaron up for 4H. 🍀

We shared food, and the food this year included a root beer float, fried green tomatoes, cheese curds, a reuben pickle dog with grape kool aid, dill pickle iced tea, and corn on the cob. 

Avi and Aaron showed up later, but Daniel stayed home with nanny Abigail. He's two. 😂

I rode down the big slide this year! Aaron and Momma rode down next to me, and Aaron was surprised when Nama Nama took off before they did...

And what another surprise it was to bump into Pa and Richard! 💚💛💜

There's so much to see at the Fair that we never see it all. However, I'm already making out my list for next year:  the Giant Sing Along, Ye Old Mill, a malt at the Dairy Building, a walk by the Haunted House, the DNR Building, a walk through the Mighty Midway (but no rides), maybe even catch the Jason Show!

a bench in memory of
an old friend

Bruce posed on a tractor

In honor of Grandpa Harry
and Grandma Joyce

we searched far and wide for
the Pickle Dog stand!

An Armenian Dance

see the bunny quilt?

A find in the Fine Arts Building

there he is

I think the garlic was best

not a crow, but a loon!

dill pickle iced tea, not bad!

but ... did they take a ride
in the Ye Old Mill??