Oktoberfest

We attended the annual Oktoberfest celebration at the Schlukebier’s in St. Paul, and it was entertaining as always. Despite my lack of German ancestry, I still enjoy a good party! So we feasted on brats and sauerkraut, swayed to the German accordian tunes, and giggled as our surrounding partygoers chugged another beer. These are memorable days!

Apple Orchard

This year we tried Minnetonka Orchard in Minnetrista, which I had been to a few years back. This orchard has a rugged rural quality to it that I adore! We all took a hayride, picked some Haralsons, watched the goats climb the roof, and ventured into the “corn crib.” Our apples’ fate will be a delectable apple crisp, complete with vanilla ice cream (it is easier than pie and just as good). Great times with my adorable family!!!

Earth's Bounty

Okay, so I admit that my life at times seems to revolves around fruit (hence summer). It’s just so darn tasty! Living in Minnesota (ahem...the land where Honeycrisp apples originated!) is quite a perk, considering the wealth of produce it boasts. My favorites are apples, raspberries and asparagus. It is fun to be a participant in that we can pick the food off of the bush, or tree, and consume it within moments of picking. I love baking my prizes the day I attained them!

Bonfire

Fall has to be the best time for a bonfire! The air is getting cooler, which makes the heat from the fire so inviting. We feasted on s’mores and Ian enjoyed his favorite pasttime, throwing rocks in the lake. What a perfect family event!!

Four Generations

Recent days in the U.P. produced this wonderful photo. The most blissful element, besides the fact that we are all unintentionally color-coordinated, is that we are all looking into the camera. No small feat with little ones being photographed!!

It is so rewarding for me to have my children experience one of the greatest joys of my own childhood... the U.P.! No amount of explaining can describe the crisp, cool mornings on Jasper Knob or the burst of sun kissed raspberries in your mouth when rummaging in the wild berry bushes. So now these aren’t just my mother’s memories, or mine... but Ian’s and Nina’s too!

Nina's Dedication

Wow, what a day! Nina is 2 1/2 months old and we didn’t want to waste any time in dedicating her... so here we all are in church this morning. Thank goodness Nina didn’t spit up on Pastor Rob’s shirt! Ian is quite rambunctious, however, and was a challenge to keep occupied for the entire 4 minutes we were up on stage. Four minutes to a toddler is an eternity! We are so thankful for our loving family and friends to share this special day with us.

There's No Place Like Home

Tom, Ian, Nina and I had the chance to take a trip to visit my parents in the Black Hills this past week. It was therapeutic to visit my roots and unwind! We were able to see some beautiful parts of the hills and also just separate ourselves from technology for a bit. Not that SD isn’t technologically savvy, but we did spent a few days at Jeff’s cabin up in the backwoods. This photo is taken at the Needles, quite close to Mount Rushmore.