Post Weekend

So much fun, so much family and activity. I do love the weekends! I am behind on my blogging; North Shore, Touch A Truck and others are on the way. But for now a small glimpse into fall, pumpkin shopping, Sunday lunch and sitting around in the sunny yard with the kids watching the dogs and Lincoln run and play. Thanks for a fun unplanned Sunday afternoon, Jay and Briana! Life is so very good.

Cascade River Hikes

 Cascade River Falls was a highlight when we spent several days on the North Shore last week. Although I have visited the area four times I had not been here since my first trip. I saw much more of Cascade State Park and loved my time there.

Dale and I hiked into the park along the river on our first morning and loved watching the falls and hiking the trails on both sides of the river.

 

 Later that afternoon we hiked in from our lodge and found a more rustic trail that led us along Cascade Creek and toward the falls again. The afternoon light brought a new experience.

 I loved the hike, loved being in the woods and navigating the trails along the rivers. It sounds cliché but trails like this really do beckon me to move ahead. I don't love exercise but I find new energy when the trails are so beautiful and rustic. I do admit that I appreciate the people who have gone before me and built a few stairs and bridges to help me on my journey.

 We stayed longer than we had in the past and it gave us the luxury of lingering to rest and taking the time for more hiking and more on-foot exploration. It was a real treat especially with the perfect long sleeve temperatures.

 With all that hiking and climbing I had hoped that the vacation eating wouldn't show up on the scales but of course I was disappointed when I found five extra pounds when I returned to Iowa. I doubt that the weight is muscle so I hit the produce department this week hoping to get the scales to slide back down.

Duluth Mornings

 The drive to the North Shore can feel long but arriving at Canal Park in Duluth feels like the doorway to the shore when we get our first peek of Lake Superior. I felt giddy being there again last week when Dale and I made an early morning stop after staying all night just south of Duluth.

 The morning light was beautiful and worth the trade off when our favorite restaurant wasn't open before we left town. The North Shore is a great destination for us and Duluth is one of the highlights every time.

As we headed south after two nights in Lutsen we took the time to stop in Duluth again. Our timing was perfect when a large ship came into the harbor to load with coal. It's always most impressive to see the bridge rise for a huge boat rather than just the sailboats that often pass through. Now I will work on the photos from our time on the North Shore. It always takes me so much longer when I take so many photos on a trip!

Growing Pains

 I am sure that I want to stop coloring my hair but I am anxious for the process to be complete. I am having flashbacks to the multiple times in elementary school that I tried growing out my bangs. The process is uncomfortable but if you break down and cut them one more time the process takes much longer. I am not considering getting out the hair color but I am very distracted by the gradient of color on my head. Dale and I took a quick trip to the North Shore in Minnesota last week. As I sort through the photos to post on my blog I see my hair first. It's coming along well. It's all part of the plan, gradually lighter and lighter then just gray but getting some of this color cut off in the coming months will be a good thing. Some say I am brave, others think it's crazy but it is time for me. For once I am wishing that my hair grew faster. Now I will get back to those photos of Lake Superior and Minnesota.

Off Road

 What fun to take Lincoln and his bike into the woods to ride on the trails this morning. Lincoln loved it and managed the rough terrain beautifully whether he was going up hill or down hill over the tree roots. I hope his mommy got better photos than I did today, but I always like to snap a few anyway.

When I'm Sixty-four

 Ten years from now I want to be able to hike up this trail to Britton Peak on the Superior Hiking Trail as easily as I did yesterday, or maybe with more ease. Dale and I just got back from a few days on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. As we hiked up this trail I thought about the fact that I want to be healthy enough to do this ten years from now, when I am sixty-four (just like the song) or even longer. It was not an easy hike but I think it was less difficult when we did it the first time several years ago. I hope this image serves as some motivation for healthier living and longer hikes. I also hope that this tree below breaks off or is hauled away by my next visit. I crawled under the fallen tree and Dale climbed around, neither was easy but it was still a great hike. There will be lots more photos to come from the last few days in Minnesota. For now it's time to get back to the real world and get ready for work tomorrow.

Friday Funday

 Lincoln and I hung out together most of the day on Friday after our overnight. We played lots and worked a little.

 Lincoln helped me pick up sticks and pine cones. He even lugged the bucket around the yard for me.

 Before nap time we mixed up a batch of our healthier version of oatmeal raisin cookies with applesauce, honey and whole wheat flour. I thought warm cookies would be a perfect after nap snack and I was right even though Lincoln never did fall asleep.

We got the marbles out several times and Lincoln loves them. He isn't napping on the marbles here but he is attempting to snuggle or hug them. He loves the colors and the feel. He is more and more often correct about the colors too. It's amazing to hear his vocabulary, counting and language skills.

Happy Friday Morning

 It's been a very happy Friday morning at my house today. Lincoln stayed over night so we started the day at 6:30 a.m. with blueberry waffles and the garbage truck! It's a great morning at Grammy's house.

Biker Boy

He is his father's son! Lincoln loves his bike and it is amazing me how he has learned to handle himself and the bike. He is a brave boy.  It's built for kids 18 months to 5 years and he is certainly ready for it. I am so impressed at how he has learned to balance. This system of no pedals and no training wheels makes so much sense. I have never posted a video before but I want to preserve this memory for sure. He makes me very nervous but he is having fun, seems to be learning a bit about caution and he is wearing his helmet.

September Woods

 Blame the recent heat or a busy schedule but I haven't been in the woods in over a week. Today I ventured in for a nice walk and found this beautiful orange surprise. It made me very glad that I had gotten out on the trails rather than walking in the neighborhood on this cool and overcast day.

 The leaves are still green and the trails are pretty clear. I will be on the watch for the fall changes soon. Mowgli was again my motivation to go on a good walk and I am so appreciative to have him as company in the deep quiet woods.

Welcoming Annalise

Annalise Rose joined the family in July but this was my first chance to meet her and celebrate with the family. My nephew, Jeff is the proud daddy. This is the fifth grandbaby for my brother and his wife. I am enjoying the baby phase of our family again! It was very nice to gather with many family members for Annalise's baptism and a traditional Lutheran worship service then get to spend the day in Mason City. Annalise may be tiny but she has a brother and a sister as well as many other extended family members who love her already!

Kirby Meets Marlee

Somehow everything fell into place perfectly and Kirby got a chance to meet Marlee and Jill on Sunday. Jay and Briana were in Mason City to visit Betty and I was there for a baptism. We were close enough that I asked if I could take Kirby with me for a while. It was so fun to get to bring Kirby to my parent's home for his second visit and meet Jill who is a big dog lover. Kirby got to visit a couple of homes and several family members as well as meeting Marlee. They are pretty cute together, all three of them!

Rodeo and Motocross

 Dale  and I headed out to National Cattle Congress on Saturday afternoon to catch a couple of our favorite events. We always enjoy a rodeo and this was no exception. The animals are amazing and the cowboys and cowgirls are pretty impressive also

 Last year was our first motocross event and we wanted to see more this year. The little guy above is from the 50 minis group, ages 4-6. It's pretty impressive to see these little guys maneuver the same course as the big boys. It's crazy to think that Lincoln would be old enough for this category in just three years. I could see him doing this very successfully especially since his daddy loves the sport.

We did make one trip through the cow barn and they were resting peacefully. I guess three days worth of people parading through their barn wore them out. I guess it's time to mark my calendar for Cattle Congress 2014. It's been a great event again this year.

Cows, Bunnies and Chicks

 Most of my Thursday was spent in a cattle barn and I loved it! I asked Ashley if I could take Lincoln to Cattle Congress today because our weekend schedules didn't work well. Lincoln and I met up as mommy headed to Bible study this morning. As we would have guessed Lincoln was most interested in the cows, especially the two very young calves that we were allowed to pet. Lincoln was so gentle and loving.

We got to see the cows poop and I will tell you that it was most certainly a highlight and something that he watched carefully and will remember.

 

Mommy joined us after Bible study and we knew that Lincoln would be happy to go back to see the Cattle Barn and the Hall of Breeds. This black and white calf was named Cody and was probably Lincoln's favorite friend of the day.

This tiny little bunny was named Lincoln. They brought him out because his is very accustomed to small children. We all thought it was cute that the bunny had the same name. When we went back through that barn with Ashley, the bunny lady brought Lincoln the Bunny over to us right away so that Mommy could see too. Again Lincoln was so very gentle and cautious.

 

 We did leave the barns a few times; once for a bag of mini donuts to share. It seemed like fair food would be a good idea and it was. We also saw the tiger show and the pig races. Lincoln was very attentive but when asked what he wanted to do next every single time he wanted to go back to the barns to see the animals.

The chicks were a favorite also and the people working with the chicks got to know us well just like the bunny people and the cow people. In the cow barn they referred to Lincoln as their "biggest fan." I was impressed that Lincoln could name all the animals we saw, even the huge turtle. One of the farmers commented that some of the second graders called the cows horses but that Lincoln "got it right."

 

I am one happy Grammy again today. We actually stayed at Cattle Congress for five hours. Lincoln's nap was very late but he held up perfectly, always anxious to get back to the cow barn. We walked back and forth many times and it never got old to him. I am so glad that Ashley could join us too. I usually work on Thursdays but this worked out perfectly when my schedule had to be adjusted this week.