Hello from Sweet William

Hi all, I hope this finds you all well today. I thought it was time to do a little catching up. Gary and I had a great week in Eagle River last week. It was very relaxing and enjoyable. Duane likes to say that when you are north of Hwy 29 you are in God's country and when you are north of Hwy 8 that's really God's country! Well, I don't know about that but it truly was some of God's beautiful creation, simply gorgeous up there. We saw lots of bald eagles and loons and deer, it was cool. We had a boat for the week so we explored the chain of lakes and did some tubing. We went on a few bike rides, Gary and Duane golfed, Amy and Jasmine and I shopped :-) we went to Paul Bunyuns for breakfast, I read a book and a half, we played several games of uecker and cribbage, Gary didn't even call work!!!! There was also fishing. Jessica and Lydia came up for two days and I have to say Grandpa's highlight of the week was taking Lydia fishing and seeing her catch three fish!!!!!

I have been excitedly getting ready for preschool. I have my classroom all ready except the bulletin boards. Marv made some marvelous props for my room that I am excited about. He'll have to come in some time and see the children put on a puppet show!! This is my last week of class for my first college class. Actually, I only have one assignment left and then I am done. I have really enjoyed the class. My next class starts Aug. 21. That will be an interesting day because it is the first full day I have to be at work and the day ends with a back to school family picnic/open house/parent meeting and then I go to class til 10:00! I am prepared for that, I just hope Gary knows I won't be fixing dinner that night!!!

Hannah leaves in a week and a half. The time went way too fast!! Hopefully the time she's away will go fast too. Speaking of fast, I can't believe Claire is almost a year old!! Wow, where did that time go?

The garden has started to produce. I canned 28 jars of green beans on Monday and picked more today. We've had cucumbers, they are really good, a couple of tomatoes, zucchini and some small carrots. Lydia loves the garden now that there is food in it! She eats green beans right out of the garden, she knows to break the end off, she even eats baby carrots and cherry tomatoes. Today she was over and she put her stuffed animals in a buggy and took them out to "check on the garden" it is so cute and grandpa loves it!

Sue, hope to hear from you and Rob and Claire. Donna, it was good chatting with you today!! Marv and Kitty, have an enjoyable time in MN. I didn't know you got the cell phone, glad to hear it.

I have to say it, I just can't stop myself. This blog has been way too female!! Come on guys!! I know it is new, so I give you some grace but let's hear from you too.

Love and hugs,
Paula