Rally on the River

River boat ride on Friday of the Motorcycle Rally.

Sun set from the paddle boat.

Last weekend Jeff and I went to a motorcycle rally in La Cross Wis. The day time weather was pretty good, a little hot on Saturday but the rain came at night when most of the bikes were back at the hotels. There were about 200 bikes and the riders there. No mishaps and only one sticker that got a ticket for being foolish.

This event is planed by a group of Honda owners so needles to say there were a lot more Honda bikes than Harley's for a change. A lot of VTX's and quite a few Goldwings. The event was well organized and well received by the local folks. The local Honda dealer was very kind with a grill out and bikini bike wash. Of course not many guys would let the girls wash their bikes but they enjoyed watching while the washed others.

Don't we look like a wild pair?

Jeff went down on Thursday and met up with Paula in the evening. Paula hung out with the biker gang and showed Jeff a nice route to enjoy the hills, curves and the beautiful valleys and bluffs along the river. It truly is very pretty country side.

David Vicky and Diane

David and Vicky happened to be staying in the hotel next to ours. They were in town to visit with Paula. We had a chance to see them for short spurts during the weekend. It was such a great bonus to combined motorcycling through beautiful country, friends and Family. We even played Apples to Apples. This is a scrapbook weekend.

We re-mulched the garden this week. We only do it about every three years, it was 22 cu. yd.s of mulch and luckily I know of a crew of good people that are experienced and spreading that much mulch. Oddly, the garden looks bigger and not as full now, but the plants stand out much better. I have some paths that I want to get in now

I am amazed at how fast the month is going by! One more week in July? how can this be?

And three weeks until Robin and Nora's wedding!

Note the cool shirt he has on.

On Saturday Ridley hung out here with his Nana and went to the park to play.He enjoyed the different slides, but still isn't too crazy about the swings; he didn't want me to be on the swing either! Later in the afternoon Vickie went shopping with me to see if I could find a few items I need to go with my dress. I have the good luck shopping with Vickie and found the cover and shoes that I was looking for. Even stopped to pick up the lotion that I am hoping will even out this silly looking gardens tan. Keep your fingers crossed for me, I am going to look rather silly in a sun dress with a tee shirt tan.

4th of July Weekend

Seems strange to be writing about a weekend that hasn't happened yet, but I'm sure everyone is going to be busy with cookouts and other fun holiday weekend stuff; so I just wanted to wish everyone a safe and fun filled Holiday weekend and I will have more pictures to share with you after the weekend.

Visitors from Wisconsin

Paula and Kate arrived on Saturday and we decided to take a little walk around the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Paula is poising by the living wall. All the plants are annuals which makes scene that not much would survive that growing container over the winter. It was quite pretty as is the cutie in the picture.



We went on a wildflower walk that was very interesting with the woodland cultivates and the rustic structures. Pretty nice spot to sit and lean on ones uncle.

There are so many interesting plants. Some in the ground and others growing on pots.

And this interesting twig or stick structure.

Roomy.

It is very big and quite surprising.

Handsome.

Cute

On Sunday Paula, Barret and Kate, Vickie, and Ridley joined Jeff and me for a grill out. Willie was busy chasing the large ball and everyone was quit amazed with the game and watching Willie try to control the ball.

Paula Willie Barrett Kate

Ridley just wants more grapes.

Paula and Barrett

Willie - Barrett - Paula and Kate

We really enjoyed the chance to spend time with Paula and Kate at the Arboretum; and to have everyone to lunch.

The End of June so soon!

What? Did I forget someones Birthday? No f*****n way. How could I ever forget Lori Steinerts 38th birthday! Or this one either. Happy Birthday Dear, I love you.

Lori in 1982

And Lori's birthday falls within a few sunny days from Fathers Day. The following photo isn't taken on Fathers Day, it was August of 1969 and Lori is sitting on her Great Grandpa Tony Ramminger's lap watching the parade. (Tony was my Grandfather) I just liked the photo. And this a time to remember our Fathers, Grandfathers and Surrogate Fathers and all the good people who take on the roll of 'Dad'. It's a tough jobs sometimes and they are too ofter under appreciated.

Lori Melger (Steinert) and her Great Grandpa Tony Ramminger

And then there is "Grandpa Fix It" as Char calls him; I called him Dad.

Dad in 1975.

Erv Ramminger in California

Grandpa Bob Cutler and baby Robin

Vickie and Jeff on August 19th 2006

And here we are back to the more recent past. This Fathers Day we had perfect weather for a little grill out with Brother Bill and Vickie and Ridley.

The Cutler Brothers; Bill and Jeff (the Chef)

Grandpa and Ridley were drawing a space ship and alien with the 3D chalk. I do enjoy a cool 3D drawing. Not really sure who gets more excited at the prospect of playing with the chalk, me or Ridley? Well OK, it's probably me. Ridley does enjoy putting the glasses on himself and others.

On Saturday Jeff and I took a motorcycle ride into Minneapolis and rode around the lake front parkways. We went by the house Jeff called home for the longest period of his childhood. He pointed out the different points of interest and we noted a few differences and how time has changed things.

And Jeff showed me the Washburn Water Tower. Very impressive and oh so cool. Can you imagine opening a window and seeing this?

I am so impressed with the detail and maintenance of the parks in The Twin Cities and surrounding committees. And for the most part they are very well used. We went to the Harriet Lake Rose Garden and the Piece Garden which joins together. There where two wedding about to begin in the gardens.

One of the hundreds of B E A Utiful roses.

Hot guy sitting on a rock in a Garden.

And I hope everyone has a great summer....... Be happy, be safe and have fun.

AML

Happy Birthday Kelly

Where has the time gone? These pictures weren't that long ago!

This adorable little girl grew to be a beautiful woman.

Happy Bithday Kelly. Love ya and miss you.




From Your Favorite Aunt

You got mail

You've got mail and it's not bills!
On Friday Jeff brought Ridley to Stillwater to hang out with Grandpa while waiting for someone to come replace the water heater that is doing it's job any longer. It's a long story but we didn't get the working water heated but Char got a chance to see Ridley and Vickie for awhile. Char and I got out the 3-D sidewalk chalk and got everyone involved in drawing and checking it out through the special glasses that come with the chalk. We also got the bubbles out. It was a good afternoon. Vickie came out to Stillwater after work and we all went to LeAnn Chin's for dinner. Ridley found the use of chopsticks interesting and managed to use them to stab some food and get it in his mouth. Quite amazing that guy.



You rock Auntie Char, knuckles 3-D chalk


Boof and Tyner
It was good to see Char as well as Boof and Tyner too. After dinner the girls headed on with there evening plans and things quieted down.

Saturday was very rainy and a perfect day for old movies and napping. It cleared off again and we managed to spend some time with the folks wondering by the house on there evening walks.

Sunday we took the car to Stockholm WI were there is a little Mom and Pop garden center that caries some interesting plants and garden stuff. Couple new Hydrangeas, Invincibelle Spirit and Hydrangea Strawberry Vanilla. And a couple hostas. Jeff found a glazed pot that he liked and has already found a spot and the plants for it.

And by the way, we still don't have hot water.

Memoral Day Weekend

Last weekend Jeff rode back to Sheboygan with Charlene who now has her motorcycle to explore the country roads in Eastern Wisconsin. Keep your eyes open for deer and cows.



Many months ago while shopping for baby stuff, Grandpa Jeff found this great firetruck on clearance. I thought the water was a bit cold, but Ridley didn't seem to care.



Hope everyone is having loads of safe fun this holiday weekend.