One Crazy, Hot, Humid Summer!

It seems like every where we have gone this summer...Martin's Cove, Wyoming, Hong Kong, Japan, UTAH ( record breaking heat) and Wisconsin (in May and August) --it has been a record hot summer ( except for the snow in May ) .  This August when we walked out of the airport in Wisconsin it was deja vu....hot and humid. 
We flew to Wisconsin to be with Eli for his 8th birthday and baptism!  We got to meet his friends, see more of where Tyler's family lives, meet members of his ward, and see more of BEAUTIFUL GREEN Wisconsin.  Oh the trees!  Here are a few of the things we did...minus Crystal Cave because I couldn't find my camera.  Or the Cheese Factory.  Ditto. 

Can you see how red Sharon is....it was hot.  We went to a fund raiser for the hospital and got pulled pork.  There was a band playing...a very interesting assortment of oldies and gospel rock.  Nat and Tyler bought raffle tickets and won 2 prizes!

River Trail near the campus

People kayak this river further down

Bridge above the river

Dairy Queen after our hike

The Hudson River

These kids were pretty brave...it turned cold one day

 

 

 

Eli's Birthday

Spencer couldn't wait

 They had a birthday party for Eli at a near by park where they are building a stadium for a minor league baseball team.  The kids are getting ready to decorate their cupcakes.
There are big open fields and then hills filled with trees and cross country ski trails.  I sure wish we had that in our back yard!

Later that day, Eli was baptized

We were very grateful we could share this day with Eli!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Adventure

On Sunday we went back to the park and walked the cross country trails

They have a Frisbee golf course all around this park.

 The last whole day in River Falls...St. Croix River

Our last day we spent working in the yard and house until the late afternoon when we went to the St. Croix river.  It was paradise.  It was a perfect weather day and the sand was soft and warm.  Eli found a snapping turtle and we roasted hot dogs on the beach. 

After the sun went behind the hills, it got cool.  We finished the day by going to a very popular ice cream parlor where they have tons of different flavors and give you much more than you should eat!  

The flavors are up on the wall.  I really wanted you to just see the interesting "do" of the dude. 

The day we flew home was busy with school appointments for the kiddoes and for Tyler.  Kim worked on the pantry and I worked in the yard.  I was rewarded by seeing a red cardinal.  The birds are colorful and abundant!  So are the cikadids.  ( don't know how they are spelled but they were in Japan also and made a high pitched noise. 
It was a hard time of year to make the trip with school starting for everyone including Kim and Tyler but it all worked out and it was good weather for a visit.   We are happy for the news of number 4 coming in March!

Families are a lot of work.  My perspective has changed a lot since I was a young mother and wife.  I tend to relax and enjoy the ride a lot more...even in a van filled with sheet rock and my chair crammed close to the dashboard ( I have claustrophobic tendencies!) and no where to put my legs.
Life is good.  Thanks Summer--couldn't have enjoyed you more!