Book Talk

 Doesn't this book just look inviting?  It's about 7-year-old Elsa who is different, and her grandmother who is crazy.  Before Elsa's grandmother passes away, she leaves Elsa the gift of imagination, which allows her to escape the hardships of the everyday.  She also leaves Elsa with directions that lead her on a scavenger hunt to apologize to those her grandmother hurt over the years.  It took me a little while to get into this book, but I really ended up loving it. 

I think I got this one for free from Amazon, and then read it in about two days.  It's about Aimee, who on her wedding day finds herself at her fiance's funeral.  As she attempts to cope with her grief, she's approached by a mysterious woman who claims to have information about the death of Aimee's fiance.  Against the advice of her friends, Aimee sets off to learn the truth about what happened when her fiance never returned from a fishing trip in Mexico.  Thriller + love story ... good quick read!

"The greatest gift is a passion for reading."

Elizabeth Hardwick

There's No Place Like Ames

On our way way to Minnesota, we made a couple very important stops. 

Gates BAR-B-Q in Kansas City ... a staple!

 And of course, Ames.  Where our story began.

We were surprised to find the buildings open, with air on, so we helped ourselves to a thorough tour.  Some of the rooms hadn't changed at all (except for updated technology), while others had undergone extensive renovations and upgrades.  This was Sara's first time to see a classroom with a chalkboard in it.

 Steve spent a lot of time (this is a relative term) at Hamilton Hall.

 The girls couldn't believe the size of the library.  It hasn't changed much except that there are computers and outlets everywhere, and the periodicals room doesn't contain much actual paper.  It's amazing how quickly technology has advanced.  I know this is an obvious statement, but it really hit home when we considered how little we relied on computers or internet during college ... and it's not like it was a hundred years ago!

 We laughed at this picture because Sara looks studious and Emma looks bored.  Hmmm.

Sara kept saying, "There is no way this is a classroom!"

 Such a beautiful place.

Steve had to find Clyde Everett Beer's name on the memorial wall in the Union, because ... well, because.

And of course we had to have pizza at Great Plains.  This place hadn't changed a bit!

 Steve stopped in at his chapter house, which was full of guys having a summer chapter meeting (meaning it definitely wasn't the place for kids) ... so the girls and I headed to 2118 Sunset to take some pics. Even if my girls aren't Alpha Gams someday, my hope for them is they will find a group of friends who will mean as much to them as the women in this house did and do to me.

Steve and I had the best trip down memory lane, and we loved sharing Ames with the girls.  Of course we had to stock up on our Cyclones gear, too.  We hadn't planned to do so, but we stopped again on our way home.  Couldn't help it ... I think the car steered itself.  There's just no place like Ames.

Here Ends My Summer Break

Where to begin?! The last couple of weeks were just great, and this morning it was back to work.  After wrapping up 4th of July festivities and table painting, we packed up and hit the road heading north to MN.  Looks like we're on track to drive every few years rather than fly, and I dare say we enjoyed our little (lengthy) road trip this time.  MN visit picture overload starts now...

Boating Fun ... lost track of how many times they jumped off the back!

 The Girls

 We visited MN's largest candy store, and everyone enjoyed the field trip.  They had every kind of candy and soda known to man (and some totally unknown to us), plus lots of others items like pies, strudels, jams, hot sauces, Bloody Mary mixes, pickled eggs ... you name it.  It's about twenty minutes from my parents' house; I have no idea how we'd never been!

 We had to compare these pictures of my mom and Emma "smoking" their candy cigs.  Seriously.

Melissa, Adam, Steve, and I had a night out.  We enjoyed delicious Juicy Lucy's at the Nook (yep, the one from "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" - totally worth your time if you're in St. Paul).

 Also had to stop at the Happy Gnome (and pose with him, of course).

 Our terrible selfie streak continued.

Unfortunately, Grandpa had a little mishap and hurt his shoulder playing tennis one morning.  While he and mom were at the doctor, Steve, Melissa, the girls, and I enjoyed a beach day. (Turns out the shoulder will be okay with a little procedure, thank goodness!)

Sara found a group of friends and they spent a long time diving down to try to grab some fish.  She kept saying, "We were soooo close!"

 Our 13th anniversary was on July 12, so my mom had some family over for Taco Tuesday.  Apparently Sara had been planning a surprise sundae for us for quite some time (she had drawings of a variety of versions and everything), and she was so proud to present it to us.  I guess she and Grandma had had some phone conversations about ingredients.  So sweet.

This set into motion the presenting of sundaes to lots of other people, too.

This girl loves her some Taco Tuesday.

We spent a gorgeous (hot) day at Como Zoo and Como Town.  Such a fun place!

 The girls rode the swings three times.  Sara also rode the roller coaster three times (twice with dad, once with mom).

 Steve and Sara rode the zip line.  Sara said she screamed more than she needed to, and that it was really cool.  They were way up there.  I'll tell you what: being 48 inches really opens up a world of opportunities!

One day was a little cooler and overcast, so we headed to Minnehaha Park to hike around and look at the falls.  The girls thought it was pretty neat!

 After our hike we enjoyed lunch at Sea Salt and a quick trip to the playground before the rain sent us home.

Since selling the lake house, my mom is in major clean-out mode.  She had us go through our old skating dresses, and the girls (and I) loved trying them on.  In this pic, I'm wearing my costume from my solo in my 8th grade show (I was Thoroughly Modern Millie).  It was fun to reminisce about the shows and competitions as we went through the box.

 

 Along those same lines, my mom sent us home with our letter jackets.  We were the coolest.

Between all of the activities, there was plenty of time for hanging out on the patio, just enjoying the company.  The girls frequently hit the slip 'n slide at Auntie's and at G&G's.

(look at that form)

 (this kid went down every which way and laughed the whole time)

Expo was so happy to have some friends around!

 And of course the usuals ... 

 

 On her first ride this time, Emma hollered out, "Hey, we got no windows!"  We all laughed, so she repeated it as often as possible on all subsequent rides.

So thankful to have had another wonderful MN trip.  It was hard to leave, but work was calling.

 No rest, yet, for G&G and Auntie, though ... Sara stayed in MN for an extra week and she'll fly back with Melissa next weekend.  She was so excited about her extended stay; for weeks before our trip, she kept telling me, "Mom, DO NOT forget that I'm staying longer than you guys." 

 Her special week started as soon as we pulled out of the driveway Friday.  Auntie took her to lunch and for a mani/pedi.  Then they slip 'n slided, played Clue, hit Red Box, and had a sleepover.  Since then she's been to a pool with an "intense" water slide (which she got Grandma to go down with her), to the Mall of America, and out on a yacht (her request) on Lake Minnetonka.  We miss her like crazy, but I'm so glad she's having a great time.  Here's to irreplaceable summer memories!