Prize from my Brother

When I arrived in Minnesota, my brother Greg was there to pick me up. It is one of the things I love most...that time with him and visiting. If I get in close to lunchtime, he usually buys me lunch before we get to Elk River.

This time on my trip back to Minnesota he gave me a fun prize - a pretty purple rock. (See previous post on prizes). So it has a place of honor! It is sitting on the pretty plate that Vanessa gave me from her trip to Mexico. Now sitting at work I look at it and think of my "Hero Brother", Greg.

Memories are the best!

Back in the Saddle Again...

Phew, time flies when you're in Minnesota. I'm back in Utah now. My cat wouldn't leave me alone last night and I finally locked him out of my bedroom only to have him crying in the hallway. I'm a mean mom. I can hardly walk through the house as he is wrapping himself through my legs like crazy.

I'm back at work and decided the routine will keep my mind off the fact that I think I left my heart in Minnesota. Yup, right back there with all the trees, lakes and critters in the back forty of my parents property. And all I did was sit in their room and visit and read to them. Treasured memories.

We partied hardy - yes even on the Sabbath. It was a wonderful day and allowed so many to be with us. I cannot tell you the joy I felt as we all crunched in to Mom and Dad's bedroom for the "program". I walked around with my video camera and thoroughly enjoyed watching all those cousins interact with one another, playing games, talking and have such a good time.

Family - it's what it's all about. I am the most blessed daughter, sister, and aunt.

After 29 years I'm officially a parent...

After reading on the California Cousins blog about Big Bertha, I decided I needed to become an official parent and owner of a video camera. I've spent years of borrowing but mostly wishing for my own, and with Vanessa and Brian's help I located one that was good for me (price and bells and whistles). So I'm official now. I'm entering the world of videoing which I suspect is even more annoying than being a camera picture taking nut. I am very happy that "Puny Pani" is nice and light and fits in my hand just perfectly. And I promise I'm probably going to be abnoxious with it! Sorry in advance!

Silliness runs in the family

This is my nephew, David. Yes, silliness definitely runs in the family. He said he lost his sunglasses at the pool so he picked these up for fifty cents at a garage sale. Yes, he really is going out in public like this. I was sitting in the rocking chair visiting and soon became aware that he was copying all my movements. So, I gave him an auntie slap and he stopped. Such a character. But he fits right in. We were all here for lunch. Greg, Penney, Honcho and Auna, David, Mike, April, Dustin, Mom, Dad and me. We're getting together later. So, my dad asked how you set up a blog....I'm thinking I'll set one up for him.

Silly Papa

Just so you can see that Papa has kept his sense of humor! Well, he laughed when I walked in with them on...and he didn't have much choice when we put them on him and took a picture - so he could see how he looked. Now the world can see through my blog. I am the luckiest of daughters to have such a man for my father.

Being with my parents here in Minnesota is always wonderful. My favorite thing is to sit and read to them. We're reading the Mitford series and they seem to like the story. I dashed to Barnes and Noble to get the next two books once I found they liked the first book. So I'm madly reading book two so I can leave it for them. Books on tape will hold nothing to me reading book three for them and sending it back - Dad seems to like to hear my voice. Go figure!

They have a Trader Joes here and I introduced Dad to the little oatmeal raisin cookies. He says they're a perfect size. Between those cookies and the chocolate covered peanuts...he is a happy man after a little snack.

One of the reasons I love Brian Simmons...

I have the best son-in-law! He is ever so patient with me. We chatted on-line earlier this morning regarding video cameras and where the closest Curcuit City was. So I take off in my brothers truck determined to find my way. I did fine locating Barnes & Noble. But it started to pour and I got all twisted around. I looked at the map I had borrowed from my sister. I couldn't tell which way was up or down let alone north, south, east or west! It's pouring rain so I can't get my bearings from the sun...(yes, Dad I did listen to that part when learning direction 101 from you), so I pull over and look at the map again. Frustrated, I called Brian. Yes, Brian in Utah who quickly got onto to mapquest and figured out where I was and told me where to go. Yes, I know that many young men often joke about where they'd like to tell their mother-in-law to go... I am so lucky to have such a kind and patient son-in-law who can even give me directions in Minnesota while he is still in Utah. PS I decided Minnesota needs mountains. I can always tell where I am by the mountains in Utah.

Proof of the "critters" in my Parent's Yard

I sat down at my laptop to check my email only to discover a deer had walked into the front yard. She was Beautiful. I knew if I opened the door to get a better picture she would dash away. So I had to take the picture through the window - the screen made it fuzzy. It was with my camera phone too - so not the best. But at least I could grab it and take the picture quickly. It is proof that I'm not just making up the tales of critters in my parent's yard. She enjoyed about five apples that had fallen to the ground from the wind earlier in the day and then walked away when it started to rain or rather POUR. I love this place.