Family Camping 2012

Our crew was somewhat smaller this year, but we still had fun. Family camping is the only time in my life on the road where someone might say, "I forgot the ...."  and I can say, "I have that."

Fish Boil nearly ready!

Done! 

Every year we have a fish boil, what a treat.  My brother, Jesse, does the cooking and we all do the eating

Our Bloody Mary bar along with other mixers - we accept all drinks here. AND we even included Cheese Curds - Wisconsin, ya gotta have 'em. It is not a Bloody Mary unless it is a meal. :)

The grand kids with grandpa

My favorite photo.  Kendra is out for the count!

Visiting With Dad

 Whenever we are in Cloquet, Minnesota, we are sure to visit with Dave's folks who now live at Sunnyside Nursing Home.

We have decided for our next visit we need to practice a few old Eddie Arnold tunes.  

Dad and Mom are in this photo.  Mom has Alzheimer's, and knows only dad.

Dad cannot form his own words, but by rote he can sing songs he knows, repeat prayers he knows and smile at everyone he knows. In this photo he is singing, "...a partridge in a pear tree."  Well, apparently he knows that song, so we sang it in July. When we sing his favorite old hymns, he can belt out the tune.  It is lovely to hear his voice.

Awning Down

It was a dark and calm night, with only a subtle wind caressing their hair, well her hair more than his, the unsuspecting couple decided to leave their awning drawn down in preparation for the morning heat.  

At precisely 1:30 AM, the wife was awakened by incomprehensible yelling coming from some crazed man just outside the bedroom window; her husband.  She quickly ran outside only to be completely drenched as wind whipped wildly.  She cleverly deduced that her husband was trying to save the awning, but alas, all they could do was corral the awning as it lofted wildly in the wind and detached completely from the RV.  

The couple throughly wet and now awning-less, made their way inside deciding as most people do in the middle of the night - wait until morning; things will look better then. 

The awning is now reattached to haRVey, but serves as decoration only.  While the awning did not tear, some of the stitching pulled free on the awning rendering it useless as shade cover. 

What have we learned from this misadventure?  Never trust a weatherman! 

A Wedding in Norwood

The happy bride and groom

The cake

My former co-workers, Karen and Paulette. Karen, in the middle, is the mother of the bride.  I was so very happy we were in the area and I was able to attend! 

Our Very Own Baptism Day

Logan, dad and grandpa

 On June 15, Logan was Baptized.  It was such a wonderful day and we were so very thankful we could be there to watch God add to the family.  

It incredible to see the transformation of your children as they move into the roll of  "parent." It is not as though I thought they could not do it, but to see them in that roll - wow.  Travis and Amber are naturals!  I guess they both had good teachers. :)  What an awesome privilege to be grandparents to such a dear child of God. 

Logan with his parents and sponsors

Grandparents(all very proud) with Logan

The banner

The dogs of Hollywood

Lexie approaching the stairs calling me out to play.

When she is outside, Lexie comes to the RV screen door and whines for me to come outside. Why? - because I throw one of her many toys. I am not sure who has been better trained...

Always ready for a game Lexie and Ted.

haRVey in the background.

Our stop in Hollywood, Minnesota, has been one of our longest in our four years of travel.  We are indebted to our friends the Jim and Joni Strehlke.  haRVey has been parked in their driveway for nearly one month!  We are way past dead fish and relatives here! 

Once again, we are the humble recipients of generous hearts.  We have had such a great time here that it will be hard to pull up stakes and move next week. 

Thirty Three Years and Counting!

This year for our Anniversary we went to the Mall of America! And who wouldn't want to spend a quiet romantic time at the Mall. 

Aunt Carol and cousin Debbie were passing through Minnesota with stops to visit family.  We spent a wonderful day with them, laughing, teasing, laughing, and telling stories. 
Debbie wanted to stop at Lego Land to choose a gift for her son, who is in his 20's.  That's the thing about legos - you never outgrow them - right Travis?

Many sets to choose from

Carol and Debbie took us to Bubba Gump's to celebrate the day, what fun.  We passed the Forrest Gump Trivia Quiz with flying colors. It was our first experience with Bubba Gump - fun