Our Trip To Minneapolis, MN

We flew out early Sat. 9/24/11 ... and arrived in Minneapolis about 1:30 p.m., where we were met by Ryan, Alisa and Owen. Our first stop was to visit the 'Mall of America' ~ a landmark because it is so HUGE! This is just a portion of the mall ... we had lunch there and then went to find 'Build a Bear' and walked around the mall.

Ryan, Owen and Alisa coming off the elevator. (Notice Alisa's 'little bump' ... baby #2 is coming next February!

Sunday morning ... 3 generations ... Ryan, Dennis and Owen!

A beautiful family ... off we go to church!

Sunday afternoon we headed towards Minneapolis because we wanted to see some of their 10,000 lakes ... so amazing ... there were very expensive OLD houses surrounding the lake. Many of the lakes have walking paths around them, and they were full of people walking, jogging, riding bikes, roller blades, etc. We were all enjoying a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

This is the 'loft' area in their home ... which is also where Owen's toys are. Grandpa enjoyed playing with Owen ... making 'cars' come down the ramp. Owen loved having him to play with ... and all to himself! He also has a basketball stand in the back corner ... and he is always chucking a ball at it ... which almost always goes in. Look out NBA ... this boy has a great left hook!

On Monday morning Alisa took us to an apple orchard just outside of town. It was a fun place and we enjoyed having some apple cinnamon do-nuts! It was Ryan's Birthday and unfortunately he had to work ... but he got to come home early.

This was too precious to pass up. After Ryan got home we were talking and all taking a rest. Owen had just woke up and wanted to rest with Mommy and Daddy too.

Ryan's 27th Birthday cake ... Alisa had tasted this cake and wanted to have it for Ry ... so she made arrangements to get it, and it was definitely yummy!! Happy Birthday Ry ... we loved getting to visit with you and your amazing family. We had so much fun and loved getting to know Owen again. We love you!

More Pictures to Share!

Owen is such a good little eater ... here he is enjoying 'pancakes' ... what a cutie!!

This is from the Apple Farm ... a little maze they put up for kids ... what a great idea. Owen loved it and wasn't the least bit scared because he could run and didn't have the feeling of being 'penned in'. So cute!

Alisa and Ryan with Minneapolis in the background.

Owen and Grandpa!

Emergency Prep Night ... in our Driveway!

Dennis and I are the Emergency Preparedness Specialists in our ward and we had an activity in our driveway. Here are a few pictures of the evening. Dennis was demonstrating the Rocket Stove in this picture. It is very efficient and did a great job of cooking quickly.

Here are Joanie, Pam and Brad checking out the solar oven that one of our members brought over to show.

There were lots of portable heaters displayed as well.

And of course ... cook stoves ... and 'handouts'. We had over 50 people in attendance and the members got to sample a variety of foods cooked on the Rocket Stove and also in the Dutch Ovens.

Quad Ride with Good Firends!

Here we are ... ready to head out on our ride. We met at our property about 9 a.m. and left about 9:30 for an adventure! It had rained the night before so we were hoping for a fun ride (dust free!!). We were going across Water Hollow road to Log Canyon ... up the canyon to the top and across to Maple Canyon and then down it and back to Fountain Green and back to the property. (60 miles total) L ro R: Gwen and Scott Finlayson, Brent and Candi Bown, Dennis and I, Pam and Brad Kidd. (We all ride with helmets ... so a little harder to identify)

Up Log Canyon ... just before we headed up the 'Quad Trail' ... a bit of a technical/challenging trail, but very fun! We saw several deer, a few mud puddles (which Gwen and Brent did not miss!) and some gorgeous scenery! L to R: Dennis and I, Brad and Pam, Gwen and Scott, and Candi and Brent.

On the 'quad trail'. It was Brad and Pam's first adventure with us and this was a good test for them ... they loved it too (after a couple of scary spots)!! Dennis took this picture of us part way up. The leaves were just starting to turn and it was a 'practically perfect' day. Everyone had a great time and we loved riding without dust!! (A little mud here and there ... but that makes it interesting. Some of our friends judge a ride by how muddy their 4-wheelers are when they get back!)

When we got back to our place (after 60 miles ... we were ready to eat!!) ... we BBQ'd brats and everyone brought salads. We had a yummy lunch. It ended up being a wonderful day and we all had a great time. Fun to go riding with friends who enjoy being out in our beautiful state as much as we do.

Random pictures ... September 2011

The same weekend we were at the property with our friends, Dave and Amy and their boys came out and camped with us in David and Jen's trailer. (I was so busy trying to take care of things that I didn't get any pictures of them, except this one) I did manage to take Spencer on a little Quad ride ... his first! Seth and Dave enjoyed several trips around the property loop. We loved having them out there with us. The weather was 'cold' at night ... but we slept warm and enjoy being in trailers!!

Because we always wear helmets when we ride, getting a drink from a water bottle is a challenge. Here is Scott Finlayson helping Gwen get a drink. Chivalry is not lost in our group!!

Ted and Linnae Wilcox came for a short visit (from Idaho). They were here for a wedding so were only here overnight, but it was fun to get to see them. Dennis took a day off work and we drove out to the property so they could see the changes we have made.

Labor Day Weekend 2011

David set up their projector and we had our own movie night outside. The weather was absolutely perfect ... even a little chilly as the evening went on. So fun ... we watched "Follow Me Boys". Jen even had licorice for treats!

Crafts are always a part of the Harrison's time at the property . Here are the kids and Jen working on friendship bracelets and 'duct tape' items (they made wallets, bracelets, purses, gloves and even a hat from colored duct tape ... the latest craze!)

I had to document Dennis working on a little project. He has his generator sitting there working while he is preparing to use his saw. What a man ... always working on something!

Just before we left we went for a ride. I wanted to show how dusty the trail was ... but the picture doesn't show it like it really was. His shirt is covered with dust ... as well as his nose and even his bottom lip. He always lets me ride in the front so I don't get as much dust in my contacts. I must say ... I like not being as dirty. He is so good to me!!

From the garden!!

This year we had an amazing crop of tomoatoes. Here in the sink is one day's picking.

Because I had so many tomatoes I made some spaghetti sauce ... and some freezer Raspberry jam (the raspberries were on sale at Ream's, so it happend to be a busy canning day.

This is a yummy meal prepared with summer veggies ... That is chicken breast cooked in home made salsa. Very yummy!

Part of the summer accomplishment!

This is a picture of the fire pit ... soon after it was done. We loved it ... but there wasn't a lot of room around it for a big group to sit ... so this year Dennis and David decided to enlarge it!

Here they are forming the area and getting it level. Railroad ties work great for projects like this. The area was on a slope so we ended up making it 2-3 ties high on the back corner. (If there is a project to be done, these two men can tackle it! Both of our boys have learned from their dad to be very inventive. They are definitely handy men to have around!)

Here is Dennis packing the road base down before he added the gravel. We borrowed the tractor from a friend and it truly helped with the moving of the rock!

And this is the finished project ... coomplete with '2' picnic tables. We are loving all the space and the level area. Much nicer!! Good job men!