Dear Mom:

By the time you read this I will be packed back into our car heading to Wisconsin, our first stop on our way home. Today was the perfect relaxing day to end this vacation. The boys all went fishing and my mother in law and I went to town and did some shopping. I bought a silver ring for my right hand and a nice pink semi-dress shirt. And of course my mother in law bought some stuff I will see later under the Christmas tree. (Shalee: the white shirt with flowers we both fell in love with =) ).

On vacation I did a lot of this:

Here is my oldest big fish he caught:

This was my middle son’s big catch when he went canoeing with Grandpa.

And this cutie had one birthday celebration tonight, but will have another “family” one at home:

It is hard to believe my baby is going to be 12. I remember the first time we drove up to Minnesota, he was just potty trained. Traveling with a youngester who was in the process of being potty trained is always an adventure, but fortunately he actually did great. Now I am looking at a soon to be 7th grader…I don’t have babies anymore.

Chat with you when I am back home. Love you!

Dear Mom:

Well I have been here six days and today is my first day fishing! But first, middle son and Grandpa went on their canoe trip.

They did not catch many fish, but had tons of fun!

Grandma and the two younger boys spent the day in town doing errands. And a favor for me, which I will email you about.

But LOOK WHAT I CAUGHT MOM! (sm mouth bass)

(I even touched it!!!)

Of course my husband had to one up me with one a bit bigger:

Oh and while we were out today I made some new friends:

Here are two eagles that were guarding a big nest. They were making sure we did not get to close.

Here was a turtle that was keeping a close eye on us also! Or he was enjoying the sun, either way he was a cutie!

We have not seen too many loons this year, so I was excited to see this one come so close to our boat while we were fishing.

There is nothing on earth that can compare to what we will experience in heaven, but for me this sure comes close in my small imagination. With all the animals, the beautiful water, the critters, and the peace you find here in north country is beyond my ability to describe. It was not a successful fishing day, but it was a fun day. Now all of us are worn out laying around reading a book. Tomorrow is our last full day until we leave. I believe the boys will go for one more last fishing run, I will do some laundry and possibly run into town. Also we will do a celebration for my youngest birthday (which we will have another one at home also).

I really do not want to leave this cool weather. I told my husband I think in retirement I need to live somewhere cool. After living in AZ and now in FL I have done my time in warm weather, ha!

Chat with you soon!! Hope you are staying inside I see AZ is HOT! Love you.