Multiple Choice

For a long time, the only two choices for a B-B-Q meal around our house have been semi-burned or semi-raw... or spend a lot of time babysitting the food and turning often. Our old B-B-Q was purchased about the time we moved into our home, almost 30 years ago. After David helped Brad put together their new B-B-Q, he has been thinking about all those hot spots and cold spots and that B-B-Q's would be going on sale at the end of the summer season. We were in luck and a great one was found, already assembled(!), that would offer us two choices for fuel- propane or natural gas. While David did not have to assemble it, he did do the conversion from propane to natural gas and we're ready to grill! Now our B-B-Q options are multiple choice and the big question is... what shall we B-B-Q first?

Minnesota Memories

(Written on the plane to Boston- in August. I totally understand the terms "blogshaustion" and "blogbligation," coined by my blogging daughter and son.) As we fly off from Minnesota, we are loaded down with a ton of memories from our stay with our daughter and her family. Our Nauvoo trip was great and then we returned to MN and settled down to some serious fun, helping Brad out with Braden, Dallin, and Trevor while Emily orchestrated the fun for her Ward at Girls’ Camp.

When Emily returned, the fun continued. Here are some of the highlights of our time in Minnesota:

Hanging out with the gang, including White Dog, and lots of story time with Grandma and Grandpa (I still cry reading Stone Fox!)

Baking cookies with Grandpa (and Grandma) a couple of times

David learning virtual BMX racing from Braden and then the real thing- starring Braden and Dallin

Catching frogs and catching the free Wednesday morning kids movies
Fishing at a nearby lake and checking out the Sheriff’s squad car- the flashing lights were great!

Morning runs and playing in the park- Braden and Dallin riding their bikes & Trevor in the stroller
Lessons in pumping on the swings- David is an expert teacher/coach!

Applauding the cool jumps

Christening the newly assembled grill

Enjoying one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes on a Sunday evening Celebrating our 36th anniversary at the beach and visiting some great Minneapolis museums

Celebrating David’s 64th birthday at Chuck E Cheese’s- gotta love the frog game spitting out tons of tickets!
Watching the Olympics and getting in a couple of “chick flicks” with Emily
And the finale… telling the animals and the kids to “Say Cheese and Monkeys” at the zoo...followed by the Twin Cities River Rats putting on quite the waterskiing show on the Mississippi River, with Minneapolis in the background.
Our trip was great and we appreciate the "over-the-top" hospitality and non-stop fun. We loved being able to spend time with our cute grandsons and Brad and Emily. As David said several times, “It’s fun being a Grandpa!” I add my enthusiastic shout, "It's fun being a Grandma!" We really love the times we get to hang out and get close to our kids and grandkids who live so far away!