On Vacation in Northern Minnesota

People have been asking where we've been. Have we been on vacation? Well, is it vacation or just spending our days in another location? I think that being on vacation is what we're going to be doing in Tennessee beginning next week. So here are some highlights from spending our days in another location.



We started out in Prinsburg and stayed at some friends that are in the park with us in Tucson. They have a large area by their home that's cemented and a perfect place to park the motorhome. Only problem was it was RIGHT next to the road that is very busy with large trucks all day and all night until about midnight. Well, it didn't bother us one bit - we can sleep through almost anything.



We didn't get there until the middle of the afternoon and then had to set up and visit and all that. Went to dinner Tuesday night with our good friends, Cal & Delores in Montevideo, MN. Never been there so it was a new place to see. Had planned to leave on Wednesday to go to the DeRuyter's but Cal said he had our whole day planned for us. In the morning, we went to some gardens that a fella does in his spare time - they were very nice. I especially liked the vine at the beginning of the blog. It was feathery with little red flowers on it. I plan to write and ask him what it is. Wouldn't it be cute growing up some ropes to form a little tepee in the back yard.

Here are some additional pictures of the gardens.

This is a place near Foley, MN. The fella has a small replica of an old Standard gas station that he has built. We've often talked about stopping on our way to Aunt Jennie's - well this time we did. The guy said he quit smoking 26 years ago and started collecting. He has small tractors, cars, lots of oil cans and gas pumps. Dad really liked the gas pumps. The guy said that he's considered quitting his collecting but he said that both he and his wife really enjoy it so why quit?

Here's the gang - I should have put last year's picture in here too so you could see if we'd changed. On Friday dad and Gary put up a railing by Marv & Judy's trailer. It is very difficult for Marv to go up and down steps - he has a super bad hip. Then we went out to dinner - in fact the place was so good that we went there on Thursday night with just Marv & Judy and then Friday night with the Wood's and DeRuyter's. We had such a good time, other than all the bites I got on my feet. They're pretty well healed now or I would have taken a picture for you all.

From the DeRuyter's, we went to Little Falls to the Charles Lindbergh State Park - didn't take any pictures though. We had hoped to tour his boyhood home and museum but they were only open on weekends. The park was OK. Had a good time in Little Falls at the area antique store though.

Then took a VERY windy ride up to Itasca State Park - awesome. We had a great time. Very relaxing. Dad took a long bike ride while I read my book the first day.

Here's the headwaters of the mightly Mississippi River. We were here long ago when you guys were young -do you remember it?

I have pictures somewhere so when I find them, I'll post them next to these.

Had to get back home for the weekend because Gail & Irv were coming to visit. We go to church with them in Tucson. They arrived on Saturday noon and left Monday morning - had a GREAT visit. Here's a picture of their motorhome. The motorhome with the trailer measures 63 feet - too long for us unless it's parked. They will be gone from home about 5 months and are just traveling around the country visiting people this trip. They're doing some sightseeing also but have a huge list of people they're visiting.

That's our couple of weeks spending time away from home. We leave next Wednesday, Sept 8th for our vacation. Til then, have a wonderful week ahead.

Love to you both,

MOM

Wagons West Dinner

Good evening, daughters and granddaughter,
I know Thursday has come and gone but I've had a busy week. I did get Chase's coverlet finished but I haven't delivered it yet. I will take pictures once it's on his bed and I've hung his valance. It may not be for a day or two.

Friday night we had some friends from Arizona who live in Wisconsin come to stay the night. Actually they stayed in their new pickup camper in the driveway but they used our bathroom, so that counts as staying over. I had decided to invite the Arizona people who live in Sioux Falls to come for dessert and coffee when dad asked, why can't we have them come for supper? So, good wife that I am, I said OK. It was a simple meal of sandwiches, jello, relishes, watermelon, grapes, chips and pie for dessert but it still took a large portion of my Friday to get ready. Dad was working at the hospital. When he got home about 2:00, however, we did take a short nap.

Here are some pictures of our dinner: (note the tablecloths - aren't they cute?)

We had a good time. They arrived a half hour early at 5:30 and stayed til 9:30. Now, you may have noticed that Uncle Rich and Henrietta are also on the picture and as you are aware, they do not live in Sioux Falls. They were over for lunch (Subway) on Tuesday and we were telling them that we were having some Wagons West people over on Friday night. Rich asked why he wasn't invited - I said, you don't live in South Dakota and this is for South Dakota people. Of course, I relented and invited them because I thought it would give Henrietta a chance to meet some of the ladies from the park.

I made chicken salad and it was awesome. Uncle Rich said it was as good as Subway's and he really like the salad at Subway. Kudos for me!!!!

DeAnn, do you remember this angel that you made at Bethany Meadows with Grandma and then hung on my picture in the living room where it's hung for the last two years, at least, if not three. Well, keep a copy of this picture because she has died and was buried on Friday. Sorry!

We leave on Tuesday for Minnesota. I'll try to blog from up there if they have wireless at the park.

Great week to y'all!!!!

Tuesday Blog on Thursday

I'm in the process of working on Chase's bedspread so will do my blog on Thursday this week so I can do pictures.

Have a great week!!!

MOM

Gorter Family Reunion 2010

The Reason for my blog - the world's GREATEST Grandchilren!!!

The Gorter Reunion is over for another four years and other than a bit of rain, mud, heat and humiity, I think everyone had a good time. Grandma said she didn't want to appear biased but she thought it was the best reunion yet. I'm sure the reason is that everyone kinda "stuck around" the lodge for the most part. They weren't off swimming, boating or doing their own thing. I think she had a chance to "visit" with all or almost all of the nieces and nephews who were there. She brought along a book of pictures she's been working on all summer and it was a huge hit with everyone.

Here are a few pictures of the weekend:

Uncle Clarence's camper sprung a leak - dad to the rescue with a tarp and rope.

A new game called, "Kube" that Rick brought. They say it's similar to pool but I had a hard time following it. The guys had a good time playing it though. Look at Rick's shirt - it was HOT!!

Chase riding the horse - he's a real cowboy!!!

Chase and Grampa playing foosball in the lower level of the Lodge.



The Ugly Shirt Contest - Uncle Jerry won because the "lady from the restaraunt" that juged didn't like green. I think Chase should have won - his was really ugly!!

Way to go, Chase!!

I don't have any pictures of the ladies because I was in it. The lady actually picked my shirt and hat but I told I couldn't win because I was "in charge" of the contest so she picked Aunt Jen. I think she picked her because Aunt Jen had a funny duck hat on.

It was a good contest and I think they should have a "unusual hat" contest next year BUT I'm not in charge so I'll let the newcomers do it.

John Smidstra voluntered his family - I'm not sure his wife or sister were as excited as he was but he says he loves family get-togethers and thinks they're important to continue. Jim from Texas said he would be happy to host it in February in Texas if anyone would come. I told him to go for it.

That's it for this week. Have a super week.

MOM

Goals for this week:

1. Chase's quilt