The Northern Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion...

Every year, over Labor Day weekend, the Northern Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion takes place in Rollag, MN. Among the many things to do, there's an old steam locomotive that takes a one-mile plus tour around the grounds to ride. Here are Erica and Brendan waiting for our turn to take a ride...

Cary and Brendan on one of the open-front cars...
Erica and Halle enjoying the ride...
The train, from a distance...

The Trooper Hat's many looks...

staring....HALLE!


First up - the classic "I'm here to arrest you - but darn aren't I cute" look...

Next it's the "Not only is it a trooper hat, but also a sombrero" look...


And finally, it's the "Trooper Hat? I think not! This is a walking fashion statement!" look...

Yeah - she's a total girl!

Thank you again, Uncle Steve, for the authentic State Trooper Hat!!

Play Ball!

Last Sunday was a gorgeous day, perfect for teaching Brendan some baseball basics. First order of business, figure out which way Brendan feels more comfortable batting...

"No Daddy, I don't like that way"...


"This feels better"...


He's ready! Have a look at that form!! :)

The pitch is up...


Swing and a miss!
Brendan did a great job for his first attempt at batting - he didn't actually hit the ball mid-air, but got closer and closer the more Cary pitched to him. At one point, out of frustration, he took the bat and hit the ball golf-ball style while it was laying on the ground - then cheered and said, "Momma - did you see me hit it?!!"

After a rousing game of baseball, nothing tastes better then some hotdogs cooked over an open fire. Cary and Brendan headed out to the woods to gather some "cooking sticks"...
The fire - hot! The sticks - sharpened! It's time to cook!

Mmmmm.....

Weddings Galore!

Here are a few candids from the other wedding I was a bridesmaid in this summer (August 18th)...


Here are my friends, Sonja, Amie (the bride, obviously!) and I...
Amie with her dad, Del, and stepmom, Mary...
Me with two of my other great friends, Margie and Sharon...
The bride and groom (Amie & Tony) sharing their first dance...

And finally, Cary and I...
(That's my friend, Margie, in the background - isn't the look on her face hilarious!?!)