Merry Christmas!

Click on the Play button and receive a Christmas Greeting from Doug and Marion

Water Park FUN!!

This past weekend we met our children and their families at the Mall of America Water Park and Motel. We stayed Friday and Saturday night and most hours that we were awake were spent at the water park. I love water parks and we all had a fantastic time together.

We all decided that rather than giving gifts we would spend a weekend together building memories. The children loved the Eagles Nest. This is a 10 story water slide. Seth enjoyed a pool with basketball hoops. Ayden enjoyed the hot tub. Brienna and Jenna loved the water slides. Bill, Stephen and I enjoyed the boogie boarding! What a great time! Even Nana went down the Eagles Nest water slide! She really enjoys the tubing on the lazy river.

Memories? Yes, I think all will remember this great weekend away and together!

Thanksgiving at the Reese's in Otsego

This year the Schuelers went to the Schueler farm for Thanksgiving and the Jagows drove to Nebraska to spend Thanksgiving with Bill's sister and her family.

So we were invited to and enjoyed a relaxing day at the Reese's in Otsego. Stephen cooked up a storm and Klair decorated the table -- it was beautiful! The food was awesome!

Marion and I spent the day enjoying fun with Brienna and Conner. Marion and Brienna made Pilgrim hats out of cookies, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Chiclets! Papa wrestled and tickled Conner and Brienna and even watched some of High School Musical with Brienna.

It was a very relaxing, pleasant and enjoyable day together.

Fun with Grandchildren - Already missing the warm weather!

Now that the nice warm weather is gone we look back at our wonderful Fall weather and cringe thinking about what follows. We do enjoy (We have to here in Minnesota) some - I say some - of the Winter. The snow is beautifuland fun. The cold fresh air is refreshing and we do enjoy ice fishing. But does Winter have to be sooooooo long. You cannot convince us Minnesotan's that our climate is warming up. This year we went from Winter to Summer. Not much of a spring and the worst part is it didn't come until JUNE! So here is to our nice warm weather. Please return ASAP!

The pictures above in the nice warm sun enjoying the fall are:

The first picture is of Seth in his newly earned white belt in Tae Kwondo

The second picture is one of Aubrey, Conner, Ayden and Brienna. We went to a Farm/Orchard and enjoyed some nice fall weather.

Then a picture of Conner standing in the soccer net. I think he'd make a great goalie!

Before going to the Farm/Orchard we went to Brienna's soccer game where she scored 6 goals! We had many high fives. THANK YOU BRIENNA! What fun!

Pumpkin Carving Party at the Schueler's

Nana was in costume as the Rhinestone Cowgirl (She is pretty in pink isn't she!) , Aubrey was a bunny, Ayden was Legoman, Jenna was Catwoman and Seth was an Olympian. Food, hayrides, children, giggles, smiles what more can you ask for?

Marion's Magical Mystery Tour

Marion always has time off during MEA and normally we find somewhere to go and simply enjoy eachother's company. So nice to get away from it all.

Well, this year Doug kept it all a secret until it all happened. First we went to Hutchinson and had breakfast with Marion's mother who didn't know we were going to be there and Lynette - Marion's sister who was in on the plan. Then we headed for Lafayette to see Doug's Mom. Then we headed down hwy. 19. Through Winthrop, Gaylord, Henderson and on to Northfield stopping for an ice cream cone. Then back on the road and arriving at our destination Red Wing. We stayed two nights at the Pratt Taber Inn. A B&B that has become our favorite. A beautiful house with woodwork that is beyond belief and a hostess (Deb) who is so fun we felt like we were visiting an old friend! Thanks Deb! Deb was in on the secret also.

We took in the beautiful Fall colors, Fantastic Downtown Red Wing, the paddleboat American Queen (out of New Orleans), National Eagle Center in Wabasha and most small town shops along Lake Pepin. The weather was great and the colors were at their peak!

After Red Wing we headed for Summit Ave. in St. Paul where we walked looking at the beautiful homes and fall colors. We stayed at the Capitol Hill B&B, ate at W.A. Frost and Co. and enjoyed an evening at the Ordway.

It was a Great Magical Mystery Tour!

FAMILY

Here are some great pictures of FAMILY!