Bayley is celebrating her 17th birthday in the Dominican with her fellow mission mates! We stashed some cards into her luggage before she took off last weekend so she could still celebrate. Bayley shares a birthday with Uncle Terry! Happy Birthday Terry!!
- posted by Beth
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
A Day at the Zoo
After getting Bayley out of the country it was time to find a fun activity for the other children, especially Braxton. We decided to go to the Minnesota Zoo and see the new "Grizzly Coast" exhibit featuring wildlife from coastal Siberia including Grizzlies and Sea Otters.
The ride down was fun as we all practiced our head-banging in the car. David put on "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen and all the kids - and even some of the adults - whipped their heads back and forth when the music got fast. Emma enjoyed it so much she head-banged the rest of the way to the zoo. "Mommy, is this a good head-banging song?"
It was a hot, sunny day and a great time to be at the zoo. We went immediately to the Grizzly Coast to see the new stuff. On the way we found that the zoo had added a water play area - fountains that the kids could run through and cool off in.
The Girzzly Coast exhibit is great. The Sea Otters are the best. They have a plexi-glass area where you can see under the water. The otters were very playful and kept diving to the bottom. One otter tapped the glass with a rock as he swam downwards.
The grizzlies were big and impressive, but sleeping.
After seeing the tigers, we went back to the water-play area and all of the kids got wet. Then we went indoors to the Tropics area. Emma was hoping to see some "screaming monkeys." But the gibbons were quiet.
The zoo also has a new butterfly tent. This was really fun - walking through a garden filled with a wide variety of beautiful butterflies and moths.
We finished our trip by going to the bird show. They had parrots, hawks, falcons, and a bald eagle.
+ posted by David.
The ride down was fun as we all practiced our head-banging in the car. David put on "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen and all the kids - and even some of the adults - whipped their heads back and forth when the music got fast. Emma enjoyed it so much she head-banged the rest of the way to the zoo. "Mommy, is this a good head-banging song?"
It was a hot, sunny day and a great time to be at the zoo. We went immediately to the Grizzly Coast to see the new stuff. On the way we found that the zoo had added a water play area - fountains that the kids could run through and cool off in.
The Girzzly Coast exhibit is great. The Sea Otters are the best. They have a plexi-glass area where you can see under the water. The otters were very playful and kept diving to the bottom. One otter tapped the glass with a rock as he swam downwards.
The grizzlies were big and impressive, but sleeping.
After seeing the tigers, we went back to the water-play area and all of the kids got wet. Then we went indoors to the Tropics area. Emma was hoping to see some "screaming monkeys." But the gibbons were quiet.
The zoo also has a new butterfly tent. This was really fun - walking through a garden filled with a wide variety of beautiful butterflies and moths.
We finished our trip by going to the bird show. They had parrots, hawks, falcons, and a bald eagle.
+ posted by David.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Early Morning Departure
Bayley & Christine waiting to depart from church.Last night Beth set her alarm for 3:30 am.
WHAT???
That's right. She set her alarm for 3:30 am. That's because Bayley departed today for the Dominican Republic with our Church's Youth Group. They are going to be in the "DR" for 10 days doing service work for the poor.
Bayley has done a lot of work this past spring and summer to help raise funds and prepare for the trip. She is very excited to go and is looking forward both to seeing new things and to giving herself in service. We are very excited for her and proud of her.
Please pray for Bayley and the RCC Youth Group.
Pray for safe travel.
Pray for effective service.
Pray that their hearts will be changed through acts of service.
Pray for the people they will be serving.
And pray for their safe return.
+ posted by David
Friday, July 25, 2008
The Girls Are Back!
Today we picked up Zoe & Gretchen from Camp Courage. Zoe came home with David & Braxton while Gretchen headed on for a vacation in South Dakota with Paul. All indicators are that the girls got little sleep, but had a great time.
Camp Courage was no ordinary camp. Yes, it had all of the usual camping stuff - swimming, campfires, crafts, hiking, etc. But because it is a camp for children with cancer, it also has special stuff - jet skis, water tubing, horseback riding, mini-golf and more. There is lots of great staff and the girls really really had fun!
Zoe says, "It was fun! Especially when we went Jet Skiing and Tubing! My favorite counselors were Naomi and Amy. And my least favorite night was the night they made us go tenting."
+ posted by David.
Camp Courage was no ordinary camp. Yes, it had all of the usual camping stuff - swimming, campfires, crafts, hiking, etc. But because it is a camp for children with cancer, it also has special stuff - jet skis, water tubing, horseback riding, mini-golf and more. There is lots of great staff and the girls really really had fun!
Zoe says, "It was fun! Especially when we went Jet Skiing and Tubing! My favorite counselors were Naomi and Amy. And my least favorite night was the night they made us go tenting."
+ posted by David.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Girls Headed to Camp
Last week was pretty quiet for our family. Beth and David worked on re-landscaping the rocks around our driveway while the kids continued to enjoy summer. The weather was mostly hot & sunny, the plants grew, and the dogs slept.
But this week promises adventure - at least for Zoe & Gretchen. They headed northwest to Camp Courage to attend a special camping session for children with cancer and siblings of children with cancer. It is really a shame that Braxton broke his arm or he would probably have gone as well.
We took the whole circus up to Maple Lake, Minnesota to visit the camp where Zoe and Gretchen will stay for the week. They are in Lakeside Cabin 4 and the camp looks like it will be a lot of fun and adventure!!! There is a lake, a beech, boats, crafts, hiking, and even horses. The girls should have lots and lots of fun this week and the house feels very quiet without them.
+ posted by David
Sunday, July 13, 2008
weekend of WORK
David and I spent the weekend diging dirt...and rocks. We made the decision to redig the landscape rock areas on either side of the driveway. A BIG , hot, heavy, dusty, and sunburned job. It took all weekend but we got 1 side of the driveway mostly done. The trench is deeper and refilled with the old rocks but waiting for the new, very cool, river rocks to top it all off. They should be dumped on the driveway in the morning. I love home inprovements (but I forgot to take pics for the blog)! David says that it's a list checking thing, that I love home imrpovements. I like to check off the lists. The children were very helpful by keeping themselves entertained. Emma tried to help dig but got distracted by a worm. Then her thoughts drifted to making a wormery. So I moved her over to the garden to dig in a more "wormlike" environment. She found a slug and 2 worms but, I don't know if they survived the day...
Bayley came home from church camp on saturday and had an "amazing" time. She loves the whole camp thing (chapel, singing, devos, night games, day games...), she's a camp girl. Bayley jumped at an invitation to be a lead caddie at a Girl Scout day camp that starts...tomorrow! She had to bow out for the first day and start her duties on tuesday because of some church committments to the Dominican trip (2 weeks away!). Bayley fills her schedule pretty full, but will finally get her driver's liscense in August after the DR trip. (!) She walks to school and gas is too high to believe AND she doesn't have a job so will she need a driver's liscense or get to use it? Tune in...
Happy birthday to my niece, Bryanna Tanner!!! Happy Birthday to you!! I have been trying to remeber how old you are by trying to remember how old I was when you were born. But I can't do the math. I remember waiting in the hospital waiting room for you to be born, then your dad comes out and proclaims "she was born at 7:47 but she doesn't look like an airplane to me!" :)
At present, it's 10:20 pm and the kids are rifling through the house looking for tent poles for Braxton's tent which I need for pre-school tomorrow. We found 1 set...can a tent stand with 1 set of supports? It's not looking good.
more later :)
-posted by Beth
Bayley came home from church camp on saturday and had an "amazing" time. She loves the whole camp thing (chapel, singing, devos, night games, day games...), she's a camp girl. Bayley jumped at an invitation to be a lead caddie at a Girl Scout day camp that starts...tomorrow! She had to bow out for the first day and start her duties on tuesday because of some church committments to the Dominican trip (2 weeks away!). Bayley fills her schedule pretty full, but will finally get her driver's liscense in August after the DR trip. (!) She walks to school and gas is too high to believe AND she doesn't have a job so will she need a driver's liscense or get to use it? Tune in...
Happy birthday to my niece, Bryanna Tanner!!! Happy Birthday to you!! I have been trying to remeber how old you are by trying to remember how old I was when you were born. But I can't do the math. I remember waiting in the hospital waiting room for you to be born, then your dad comes out and proclaims "she was born at 7:47 but she doesn't look like an airplane to me!" :)
At present, it's 10:20 pm and the kids are rifling through the house looking for tent poles for Braxton's tent which I need for pre-school tomorrow. We found 1 set...can a tent stand with 1 set of supports? It's not looking good.
more later :)
-posted by Beth
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Crabby Patty!
Justin Morneau hit another Crabby Patty (home run) in last night's Twins game!
That's 14 Crabby Patties for 2008.
Thank You, Girl Scouts!
Last week Angela Litzinger, Tim Wagenknecht, Zach, and several girls from Zoe's girl scout troop got together and graciously preparfed some meals for our family.
Thank you!!!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Cabin Trip - Day 4
All good things must come to an end, and that includes our family trip up north. For Beth, Braxton, and Zoe, it ended Tuesday morning. After a little bit of morning fishing and a trip to Marion's to re-learn some knitting, it was time to pack up. Braxton had an appointment in the Cities to get his arm evaluated and either surgery or a cast.
David, Paul, and Gretchen decided to do the extra driving to go see the Headwaters of the Mississippi River. It would take a 2-hour drive from Grand Rapids to Lake Itasca and then a 3 1/2 hour drive to drop off Paul & Gretchen in Cold Spring. Then another hour for David to get home to Arden Hills.
The drive started off quietly with Gretchen and Paul doing some reading. We soon learned, however, that cars and reading don't mix for Gretchen. After fifteen minutes of reading Gretchen's head started to hurt. She started to feel a bit dizzy and light-headed. Thirty minutes later she got sick in the car and we pulled over to get all cleaned up.
After that all was well. We had a good drive to Lake Itasca and saw the headwaters. We learned that the lake got its name from the latin for "true head" - veritas capitol. Take the last four letters of veritas - itas - and the first two letters of capitol - ca - and you have a made-up name Itasca.
We did the tourist thing, went immediately to the headwaters, and took pictures. We walked across the stepping stones that form the beginning of the Mississippi. Then we got in the river and waded down stream about a 1/4 of a mile.
After that it was time to wrap up the vacation and head home. Gretchen had Subway for dinner while David and Paul got food from McDonalds.
+ posted by David
David, Paul, and Gretchen decided to do the extra driving to go see the Headwaters of the Mississippi River. It would take a 2-hour drive from Grand Rapids to Lake Itasca and then a 3 1/2 hour drive to drop off Paul & Gretchen in Cold Spring. Then another hour for David to get home to Arden Hills.
The drive started off quietly with Gretchen and Paul doing some reading. We soon learned, however, that cars and reading don't mix for Gretchen. After fifteen minutes of reading Gretchen's head started to hurt. She started to feel a bit dizzy and light-headed. Thirty minutes later she got sick in the car and we pulled over to get all cleaned up.
After that all was well. We had a good drive to Lake Itasca and saw the headwaters. We learned that the lake got its name from the latin for "true head" - veritas capitol. Take the last four letters of veritas - itas - and the first two letters of capitol - ca - and you have a made-up name Itasca.
We did the tourist thing, went immediately to the headwaters, and took pictures. We walked across the stepping stones that form the beginning of the Mississippi. Then we got in the river and waded down stream about a 1/4 of a mile.
After that it was time to wrap up the vacation and head home. Gretchen had Subway for dinner while David and Paul got food from McDonalds.
+ posted by David
Cabin Trip - Day 3
Day 3 at the cabin featured a hike in Minnesota's Scenic State Park followed by more fishing and boating.
The day started with an ill-advised attempt to drive two hours to see the headwaters of the Mississippi. This was a "quest" on David's part that - in a state of temporary insanity - he attempted to impose on the entire family.
Once the Quest was abandoned, we headed to a beautiful state park that was only 20 minutes away from the cabin - Scenic State Park. This park has a hike which features a beautiful esker trail.
[esker: a ridged peninsula dividing two bodies of water]
This turned out to be a beautiful hike and was not too difficult. It looked good for Braxton as it was only 3/4 of a mile each way.
We hiked through the old growth forest to the tip of the esker where we were treated to a panoramic view of lakes and forest. The kids (and the dogs) jumped in the water and enjoyed some swimming.
The way back turned out to be very difficult for Braxton. Unfortunately his pain medication wore off during the return hike and we hadn't brought any with us. He got slower and slower as his pain increased. Eventually David had to drive part way into the trail to pick Braxton up.
Once back at the cabin we had lunch and Braxton happily took another dose of pain meds. Then the kids (including Braxton) all went out to do more fishing from the dock. Later David and Paul went on a loon hunt. There was a loon family on the lake and David wanted to get some close-up pictures, if possible. He succeeded!
The loons were fascinating to watch as David & Paul approached them. The father loon dove under the water away from the mother and baby and then did a dance where it pretended to be hurt. And they shouted at us with their beautiful and mournful loon call. It was a wonderful sight.
That night we all sat down and watched "An Arctic Tale," a documentary about a baby polar bear and a baby walrus filmed by the same group that made March of the Penguins.
+ posted by David
The day started with an ill-advised attempt to drive two hours to see the headwaters of the Mississippi. This was a "quest" on David's part that - in a state of temporary insanity - he attempted to impose on the entire family.
Once the Quest was abandoned, we headed to a beautiful state park that was only 20 minutes away from the cabin - Scenic State Park. This park has a hike which features a beautiful esker trail.
[esker: a ridged peninsula dividing two bodies of water]
This turned out to be a beautiful hike and was not too difficult. It looked good for Braxton as it was only 3/4 of a mile each way.
We hiked through the old growth forest to the tip of the esker where we were treated to a panoramic view of lakes and forest. The kids (and the dogs) jumped in the water and enjoyed some swimming.
The way back turned out to be very difficult for Braxton. Unfortunately his pain medication wore off during the return hike and we hadn't brought any with us. He got slower and slower as his pain increased. Eventually David had to drive part way into the trail to pick Braxton up.
Once back at the cabin we had lunch and Braxton happily took another dose of pain meds. Then the kids (including Braxton) all went out to do more fishing from the dock. Later David and Paul went on a loon hunt. There was a loon family on the lake and David wanted to get some close-up pictures, if possible. He succeeded!
The loons were fascinating to watch as David & Paul approached them. The father loon dove under the water away from the mother and baby and then did a dance where it pretended to be hurt. And they shouted at us with their beautiful and mournful loon call. It was a wonderful sight.
That night we all sat down and watched "An Arctic Tale," a documentary about a baby polar bear and a baby walrus filmed by the same group that made March of the Penguins.
+ posted by David
Cabin Trip - Day 2
Our second day up north featured a parade. Beth's friends, Marion and Ivan, were scheduled to ride on the "Sons of Norway" float in a small-town parade and they were looking for more participants. They asked Zoe, Gretchen, Paul, and Braxton if they wanted to ride and they provided costumes for them all.
The parade was a celebration of the 100th birthday of the city of Marble, Minnesota. Marion had hand-sewn dresses for the girls to wear (she had originally made them for her granddaughters) and there was some Vikings paraphanelia for the boys to wear. Braxton had to play the role of the wounded Viking warrior.
It was a very hot day in Marble. The sun was out and there was very little breeze, so those costumes were quite warm.
All of this was made worse by the presence of the Chisolm Bugle Corps which has to be the world's slowest marching band. They were a group of old men who took rest breaks every five to ten feet. Even as a spectator it was painful to watch. The first portion of the parade had passed and gone. We kept watching down the street for the rest of the parade and there came the World's Slowest Marching Band. Their director kept telling them to stop and breath. Even the sign listed the band as active from 1924 - 2005. I guess no one told them that they had disbanded three years ago!!
Emma enjoyed the parade. She grabbed arm-fulls of candy that was tossed her direction by the parade participants. David even got in on the action when there was too much candy for Emma to keep up with.
The rest of the day was dedicated to boating and fishing. The kids spent some more time opn the paddle boat and then hit the docks for some fishing. The water was filled with little fish that would bite anything. The kids just put kernels of frozen corn on the hook, dipped it in the water, and pulled out a fish!
At first they needed Beth out there with them so that she could take the fish off the hooks. But eventually Gretchen got up the courage to handle the fish, too. She bragged to Zoe and said that she was braver than a fourth grader. Eventually Gretchen coaxed all of the kids - even Zoe - into taking a fish off the hook themselves.
That night we had the kids all watch "Back to the Future." They had never seen it before and they all enjoyed it. Maybe we'll have to rent II and III.
+ posted by David
The parade was a celebration of the 100th birthday of the city of Marble, Minnesota. Marion had hand-sewn dresses for the girls to wear (she had originally made them for her granddaughters) and there was some Vikings paraphanelia for the boys to wear. Braxton had to play the role of the wounded Viking warrior.
It was a very hot day in Marble. The sun was out and there was very little breeze, so those costumes were quite warm.
All of this was made worse by the presence of the Chisolm Bugle Corps which has to be the world's slowest marching band. They were a group of old men who took rest breaks every five to ten feet. Even as a spectator it was painful to watch. The first portion of the parade had passed and gone. We kept watching down the street for the rest of the parade and there came the World's Slowest Marching Band. Their director kept telling them to stop and breath. Even the sign listed the band as active from 1924 - 2005. I guess no one told them that they had disbanded three years ago!!
Emma enjoyed the parade. She grabbed arm-fulls of candy that was tossed her direction by the parade participants. David even got in on the action when there was too much candy for Emma to keep up with.
The rest of the day was dedicated to boating and fishing. The kids spent some more time opn the paddle boat and then hit the docks for some fishing. The water was filled with little fish that would bite anything. The kids just put kernels of frozen corn on the hook, dipped it in the water, and pulled out a fish!
At first they needed Beth out there with them so that she could take the fish off the hooks. But eventually Gretchen got up the courage to handle the fish, too. She bragged to Zoe and said that she was braver than a fourth grader. Eventually Gretchen coaxed all of the kids - even Zoe - into taking a fish off the hook themselves.
That night we had the kids all watch "Back to the Future." They had never seen it before and they all enjoyed it. Maybe we'll have to rent II and III.
+ posted by David
Cabin Trip - Day 1
Despite the calamities of Friday night (Braxton's broken arm), we got off to a fairly early start Saturday morning. The cars were packed, kids & dogs boarded, and we were on the road at 9:30 am.
With 5 kids and 2 dogs, we had to take two cars for the trip. I drove lead with the dogs (Sunny & Rufus) riding in my back seat. Beth and the children followed in the mini-van. The sun was out, the roads were smooth, traffic was light, and we made good time. Rufus - like any good hound dog - was sticking his head out the window and letting his ears flap in the breeze.
Then at about 11:00am I got a phone call. It was Beth.
"Rufus' drool is hitting my windshield!"
We stopped for lunch at the McDonalds in Grand Rapids. The kids ate and played and Beth drove over to the grocery store to pick up some last minute supplies. Then we drove the west of the way to the cabin.
The cabin was on a pristine lake in the midst of the Chippewa National Forest. It had a dock, two fishing boats, and a paddle boat. So of course the kids all got out of the car, ran indoors, and sat down to play video games (see the picture below).
Once Beth and I got the cars unpacked, we managed to get the kids out of the cabin and down by the water. They took turns going out on the paddle boat.
Emma met another five-year old girl that was staying at a nearby cabin. Her name was Tess and she and Emma played out on the dock by Tess' cabin. Emma even held a fishing pole and caught a fish!
Later we started a small campfire and roasted some marshmallows.
+ posted by David.
With 5 kids and 2 dogs, we had to take two cars for the trip. I drove lead with the dogs (Sunny & Rufus) riding in my back seat. Beth and the children followed in the mini-van. The sun was out, the roads were smooth, traffic was light, and we made good time. Rufus - like any good hound dog - was sticking his head out the window and letting his ears flap in the breeze.
Then at about 11:00am I got a phone call. It was Beth.
"Rufus' drool is hitting my windshield!"
We stopped for lunch at the McDonalds in Grand Rapids. The kids ate and played and Beth drove over to the grocery store to pick up some last minute supplies. Then we drove the west of the way to the cabin.
The cabin was on a pristine lake in the midst of the Chippewa National Forest. It had a dock, two fishing boats, and a paddle boat. So of course the kids all got out of the car, ran indoors, and sat down to play video games (see the picture below).
Once Beth and I got the cars unpacked, we managed to get the kids out of the cabin and down by the water. They took turns going out on the paddle boat.
Emma met another five-year old girl that was staying at a nearby cabin. Her name was Tess and she and Emma played out on the dock by Tess' cabin. Emma even held a fishing pole and caught a fish!
Later we started a small campfire and roasted some marshmallows.
+ posted by David.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Headed Up North
Braxton & Beth came home at midnight. Braxton is in a splint for now - no surgery necessary. He can still join us for our trip up north, but he can't get in the water. He needs to see his specialist on Tuesday, so we may have to come back early.
But for now we're headed up north for a much needed family vacation. We'll have everyone except for Bayley (who is headed to church camp). Even Rufus & Sunny get to join us.
So give thanks to God for Braxton's good health and for a chance for the family to have some fun!!!
+ posted by David
Friday, July 4, 2008
Setback ...
After a nice day celebrating the 4th of July, Braxton had to go to the E.R. tonight.
He was throwing a ball while playing with his siblings when he felt a pop. His arm was in great pain and it was clear something had gone wrong. Beth took him to the E.R. where we learned that he had broken his arm. Beth and Braxton are still at the hospital waiting for an osteo specialist who will determine if surgery is needed.
We are fortunate that the break happened while we were still near home and not when we were up north for our vacation.
For now, I am home awaiting news. Please pray for Braxton and Beth.
+ posted by David
He was throwing a ball while playing with his siblings when he felt a pop. His arm was in great pain and it was clear something had gone wrong. Beth took him to the E.R. where we learned that he had broken his arm. Beth and Braxton are still at the hospital waiting for an osteo specialist who will determine if surgery is needed.
We are fortunate that the break happened while we were still near home and not when we were up north for our vacation.
For now, I am home awaiting news. Please pray for Braxton and Beth.
+ posted by David
A Minnesota 4th of July
There was a small town feel to our 4th of July celebration this year. We took a trip back in time to where David grew up and joined the Brigadoon Festivities.
This morning we went to David's parents' house (Rich & Barb) in Shoreview, Minnesota where they celebrate our nation's birthday with a parade around the neighborhood. This year was special because one of the boys that grew up in the neighborhood is now a firefighter and brought an engine from the Lake Johanna Fire Department to lead the parade.
Emma stayed with Rich & Barb last night and they helped get her bike all gussied up for the morning parade. Rufus & Sunny (our dogs) were decked out in red, white, and blue bandanas. Beth, David, Braxton, and Zoe came along to watch and/or walk in the parade.
The fire truck arrived right on time at 10:00am. The kids got excited when the fire truck blew its horn and started the parade. Emma biked out with the lead group wile David followed along with the dogs. The fire truck - new to this parade - took off quite quickly and only those on bikes were able to keep up. This was the first time we've seen how fast Emma can ride her bike and David had to jog with the dogs to catch up to her.
Rich ran ahead to signal the fire truck to slow down and soon the whole parade was back together. It was a quick loop around the neighborhood and took all of fifteen minutes.
Upon returning to the assembly area, the fire truck parked and the firefighters got the hoses out. Soon it was a water party as the firefighters sprayed the court and children and adults alike ran through the water.
After the parade, David drove up to Monticello to pick up Paul & Gretchen. Then we returned to Rich & Barb's house for a 4th of July Barbecue. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, coleslaw, and chips. Then there was ice cream and cake for dessert. Yum!!!
Tonight we will watch fireworks at Central Park in Roseville.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, U-S-A!!!
+ posted by David
This morning we went to David's parents' house (Rich & Barb) in Shoreview, Minnesota where they celebrate our nation's birthday with a parade around the neighborhood. This year was special because one of the boys that grew up in the neighborhood is now a firefighter and brought an engine from the Lake Johanna Fire Department to lead the parade.
Emma stayed with Rich & Barb last night and they helped get her bike all gussied up for the morning parade. Rufus & Sunny (our dogs) were decked out in red, white, and blue bandanas. Beth, David, Braxton, and Zoe came along to watch and/or walk in the parade.
The fire truck arrived right on time at 10:00am. The kids got excited when the fire truck blew its horn and started the parade. Emma biked out with the lead group wile David followed along with the dogs. The fire truck - new to this parade - took off quite quickly and only those on bikes were able to keep up. This was the first time we've seen how fast Emma can ride her bike and David had to jog with the dogs to catch up to her.
Rich ran ahead to signal the fire truck to slow down and soon the whole parade was back together. It was a quick loop around the neighborhood and took all of fifteen minutes.
Upon returning to the assembly area, the fire truck parked and the firefighters got the hoses out. Soon it was a water party as the firefighters sprayed the court and children and adults alike ran through the water.
After the parade, David drove up to Monticello to pick up Paul & Gretchen. Then we returned to Rich & Barb's house for a 4th of July Barbecue. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, coleslaw, and chips. Then there was ice cream and cake for dessert. Yum!!!
Tonight we will watch fireworks at Central Park in Roseville.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, U-S-A!!!
+ posted by David
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