New bedspread and pillows....

On my "girls shopping day" in Spokane, I found this awesome, totally soft, light blue blanket that I just loved.  But it didn't match anything in my bedroom.  So THEN I found this totally awesome bedspread, which would match the blanket.  And some totally awesome pillows that would match the bedspread.  But THEN my husband popped into my head, whispering "what do you really NEED?  Can you justify all this?"  Of course, the answer was no.  I could not justify all new bed linens.  So I put back the totally awesome blanket, and, after originally buying them... returned the totally awesome pillows, and stuck with just the bedspread.  I COULD justify the bedspread - honest I could.  The very next store, we came to a clearance of 18"x18" fabric samples, in all kinds of fun textures and patterns.  For A DOLLAR.  Just the right size for throw pillows.  SCORE!!!  So Katherine and Rene and I mixed and matched and matched and mixed, until we came up with all sorts of throw pillows for my new bedspread.  I sewed them up as soon as I got home from Spokane - before I even emptied the suitcases, actually.  And this  is the result.  SO ADORABLE.  I am so pleased!!

A Little Backyard Ball

The boys had a football camp today at MTU, and WOW did they come home revved up to play some pig-skin.  Quinn said "Mom, I have to go to Michigan Tech for college now.  They have the most AWESOME cafeteria food ever!!"  Well then.  Sustenance is the most important part of a good college education.  Quinn and Colby had to show their dad their new skills - so they got a game going.  I think Fergie, the opposing team, may have won the game, but who's keeping score?

 

 

The Canal Run

So, in an effort to FORCE myself to be more fit, I have paid money to exercise.  Today was the third fun run so far this summer, and there are two more events coming up next month.  It's been really motivating and surprisingly fun!  Today was the Canal Run, and the first time that I have been able to run a continuous 5 miles since I was 25 years old.

Yeah for mamas supporting each other!!

 

 

 

A Birthday Basketball Hoop

The boys' birthday present got hung up recently.  Had to try it out!

Rob's Big Adventure

Rob spent the past week in Montana - introducing his little plane to back country strips, wilderness areas, and the BIG SKY that he loves so much.  He weathered thunderstorms, hail, and cool evenings, but reportedly had the TIME OF HIS LIFE.  Pristine beauty, fabulous fishing, and pure nature.  Really, the pictures say it all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are We Home Yet??

So, making it to Minneapolis was pretty uneventful, which is one of the highest compliments I can give to a travel day.  We got up, ate breakfast, went to church, drove, and then ended the day with a moonlit swim after dinner at the Rainforest Café.  It ALMOST made us forget the unpleasantness of the day before.

 

  Monday started out with swimming, and then a trip back to the Mall of America, where we enjoyed Lego-Land and the Sea Life Aquarium.  Very cool!!!  I wasn't really expecting much of an aquarium in a MALL, but was pleasantly surprised by the quality and size of this really cool place. 

Around 3 pm, we dropped Mom off at the hotel so that she could take a shuttle to the airport, and the kids and I started our trek back towards the U.P.  The car by this time was still making an odd humming sound, so I was driving slow.  The thought of rush our traffic in a big city intimidated me with our injured little Impala, so I took a longer route through Wisconsin to avoid Duluth.  That meant that the 6.5 hour drive home was more like 8.5... and THAT meant that we drove the last leg home in the dark.  With our one headlight.

Somewhere around Twin Lakes, a deer dashed out of the woods right in front of me, and....anyone even remotely familiar with our life will be unsurprised to hear... it was direct hit.  Yes.  If you're counting, that makes TWO accidents on the way home from ONE trip.  The children witnessed the death of a large animal, which is ALWAYS a fun experience, and the encounter caused damage to the bumper, the grill, the hood, and the RIGHT fender.  So the entire front off the car, basically.... was toast.  Good grief.  I could not take much more of this.  My husband, whom I called immediately, and who is always one to say just the right thing, said "My Gosh!  What witch did you piss off?  You're cursed!!" 

I swear, the drive home, from Minneapolis on, was like one long video game.  Dodge the vehicles. Watch out for the car weaving in and out of traffic.  Miss the deer (I really did  miss the first deer that jumped out in front of me)!  Wa-wa-wahhhhhhh.... hit the deer.   Minus 100 points.  Continue on, frazzled but determined to finish the game.  Two miles from home... almost there!!.... AHHHHH!  Hay bale in the middle of the road!  Swerve!  Near miss!  Another hay bale!!  Good grief.  Pull into driveway.  Collapse in heap.  WOO HOO.  GAME OVER!  (Well, almost.  Don't forget a midnight phone call to the insurance company to file the second claim in two days). 

The car will be in the shop for the next week and a half.  I was up til 1 am filing an insurance claim, and my daughter was up at 5 am puking.  The unpacking is 80% done, laundry from 2 weeks on vacation is piled high, and work looms for the next three days.  Maybe we should've just STAYED on vacation forever and avoided all the drama and drudgery of coming home again....