Scout Camp

Colton and I went on our first Scout Camping Trip this weekend and we both had a great time!  We spent the weekend at Fred C Anderson Scout Camp in Houlton, WI.  We had 12 scouts at the camp this weekend, 1 extra sibling, 14 parents, lots of snacks, some rain, delicious meals, board games, nature hikes, lots of photos, camp fires, lots of laughs and the boys even earned a few badges along the way (Archery and BB Gun)!  Colton was excited to get to camp out with all of his friends but I should tell you that we did not tent it (thankfully as it got a little cold overnight).  We had two cabins, both equipped with kitchens (without running water), dining room with wood burning fireplacee and lots of bunk beds!  Notice I did not say bathroom... nope the latrines (outhouses) were about 100-200 feet from the cabins and it was chilly and dark going out there later at night but we all survived!   We had a well sitting in between the two cabins so we were able to get water to cook with and do dishes.  It was a great experience to say the least.  

Colton's favorite activities of the weekend were Archery and BB Gun shooting.  This was a first time for him in both those activities and he did quite well.  He hit the hanging targets 5 out of 10 times in Archery and only missed the Target once or twice at the BB Range.    I of course had a blast taking pictures of him.  One of Colton's other favorite activities was Flash Light tag... seriously, the kids ran around for a good hour playing tag last night and then when it was bed time I don't think it took long for all of them to fall asleep!

The scenery was gorgeous at the camp, despite the rain and cooler temps the colors on the trees and the hikes high above the St Croix river were amazing!  I could have spent hours walking around the camp just taking pictures.  We both had a great time on our first Scout Camping trip and we are looking forward to many many more scouting adventures to come!

 The only part I could have done without was the rain and sleet when were packing up and loading our vehicles this morning and the tick that decided attach to my leg and scare the crap out of me when I got home and was ready to enjoy my nice long hot shower!  And yes, I am completely freaked out by wood ticks and my mother in law had to come over and get the stupid thing off me (I don't care, call me a baby if you want but I really hate those things)!  

It's Apple Time!

A couple weeks back I was talking with my Aunt LuAnn about wanting to make applesauce sometime, I had just picked a bag full of apples from my Grandpa's apple tree and was trying to decide what to do with them!  Well she suggested we meet on the farm one day and make it together which I thought would be awesome... well, today was the day!  I was excited to learn how to make Applesauce (from my aunt who was taught by my Grandma) and was also very excited to spend the day hanging out with my Grandpa!!  We met on the farm and started picking apples right away.  There were a lot more apples on those two trees than any of us expected.  Then we headed into the house to get the real fun started. Of course first step was to peel, core and cut the apples which I sucked at!  I cut my thumb after only 5 minutes and was eventually kicked off that station.  Then it was cook the apples, mash the apples and then cook and pour into jars!  Making applesauce is honestly quite easy but it is very time consuming.  We spent about 5 hours making applesauce and ended up with 14 quarts (plain and cinnamon)!  It was so much fun and I would go back up to the farm in a heartbeat to make another batch, I was thinking it would be awesome to make this a fall tradition but my Grandpa is planning to move off the farm into an in town apartment which means we may not have access to these awesome apple trees anymore!   Here are a few pictures from our fun day on the farm.

 

The Boys of Fall

Well Colton's first season of football has come to an end.  His last game was tonight and he played awesome.  When he started the season he didn't know a whole lot about the sport except that the Vikings are the only team to cheer for ;).  After two weeks of "tryouts" the teams were decided.  We are playing in a city league and there were enough kids to create 10 Flag Football Teams.  Colton waited patiently for his name to be called and when they announced that he made the Vikings team he was the happiest boy ever!  As the season has gone on, he has learned so much and his game has improved 100%!  He loves playing all positions but his favorites are running back and offensive line.   Here are a few pictures of games throughout his first season.

These next two pictures or from a little photo shoot we did last month.  Colton was not at all excited about this but I promised a trip to the park afterwards so he agreed to cooperate!

My Grandma

As I grieve the loss of my Grandma I am reliving all the amazing memories I have of her.  I grew up living right next door to my Grandma until I was 12 years old.  We both lived on farms and we had a road through the fields connecting the two farms.  My siblings and I road our bikes across that field road more times then we could count.  We loved to go to Grandma's to help in the garden, play with the cats/dogs, play the piano or pool in her basement and of course steal some of Grandpa's cookies.  Christmas was my Grandma's favorite holiday so every Christmas Eve the entire family would pile into that farm house and sing Christmas carols and open presents together.   As the years went by and my cousins and I started getting married and starting families of our own we quickly outgrew the space in the farmhouse but Grandma didn't let that stop us from holding giant Christmas get together, we just rented out the Fire Hall in town to hold our festivities.  My grandma loved to crochet and has made many blankets and potholders for us all to cherish for many years to come!  My Grandma also loved to play cards and for as long as I can remember she always played a game  (or two or three) of Ace to King with us grandkids at every Christmas get together.  We also taught her how to play Catch Phrase and that had become a tradition in the last 10 years.... one that always provided so many laughs!!!! 

Three weeks ago today I got "the call".  My Grandma had been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and it was very advanced.  This came as such a blow to me as she has been so active and healthy until this point.  My family immediately rallied around my Grandma.  That Sunday we all went out to the farm to spend the day with her.... pretty much doing a mini Christmas get together.  My Grandma was weak but was still up and moving around at that point.  That Tuesday she went to the Dr for a follow up and was told that she had about 4-6 weeks.  We knew we needed to make the most of our time we had left.  The next day Hospice came out to the farm and decided that due to her being so weak that a move to Nursing home in town would be the best thing for my Grandma. She agreed and Thursday she was moved in the Nursing home.  Later that day my Grandma told her Dr that she has 6 days left.  On Saturday, my boys and I along with my siblings headed back up north to spend the day with my Grandma.  We went through photo books and she told us who every person in each picture was.  Her mind was still sharp as ever.  She was tired and weak and it was hard to leave that day now knowing if she would make it to the following weekend so we could see her again.  On Wednesday, October 2nd my dad got a call that he better come up there as she was fading.  My dad and I immediately jumped in the car and made the two hour drive north, arriving at the nursing home around 8pm.  My Grandma was no longer interacting with anyone, she was resting and looked very peaceful.  We hung out for a while and then decided it was time to make the drive back home.  I drove my Grandpa back out to the farm as it was pretty late for him to be driving (and it was a rainy night).  My dad and I left the farm around 10:45 and received a call about 45 minutes later that my Grandma had passed away peacefully.  She passed away with 45 minutes remaining on the 6th day, I guess she knew when she was leaving this earth.  From the day we found out she had to cancer to the day I gave her my final hug and kiss was only 16 days.  It all happened so fast and really didn't have time to even sink in.  I have cried many many times throughout those 2 weeks and the days immediately following.  This was My Grandma, how would I survive without her?!   I spent many many hours working on a Tribute DVD full pictures of my Grandma and I know that the DVD is something I will always treasure.

Well today was the day we said our final goodbyes.  I didn't know how I would get through this day. I was not ready to lose My Grandma.  As we were sitting in church the Catholic Mass honoring My Grandma was coming to an end and all of a sudden Colton looked up at me and said " I want to see my Grandma".  I was puzzled and told him that he could move down the pew and sit by his Grandma (assuming he meant my mom) and then he said "No, My Great Grandma"  I started to cry,  I guess it took that long for me to realize that this amazing woman wasn't just My Grandma but she was "My Grandma" to my 25 cousins and the all of her great grandchildren as well.  She will be missed by so many but she will never be forgotten.   As the service ended I walked up to the front of church, I picked up my Grandma's Urn and started the long walk out of the church, I was honored to be her Urn Bearer as it meant I got to hold her close one more time and I did just that, held her tight as the tears rolled down my face.  I love you Grandma and your memory will live on forever!

My Grandma leaves behind a huge family... below is my Grandpa and all their kids (and spouses).  My Grandma and Grandpa had 10 children, 3 of whom are already in heaven.

We also took advantage of so many the cousins being in town from out of state and capture this picture of Grandpa and all his Grandchildren (and spouses) and all his Great Grandchildren - we were missing two cousins and 3 great grandchildren in this picture! I love having such a big crazy family.

Mr and Mrs

Back in August we attended a wedding for Frankie's little cousin.  She and her now husband live in Duluth so of course it is fitting that the wedding took place in Duluth, Ceremony at Lief Erickson Park overlooking Lake Superior.   The wedding was beautiful, the bride was stunning and the reception was a blast!  The boys danced the night away... I mean seriously, they danced for hours!  Mason actually fell asleep on the dance floor around 10:30 and we had to drag Colton off the dance floor sometime after 11pm so we could make the drive back to hotel.  I of course got a little carried away with my camera like always so here are just a few of my favorites!

Of course I had to also include a few pictures from swimming at the hotel pool... it was a Berberena Boy invasion in the pool!!