We went back to Crystal Lake to visit our friends Bob and Gretchen.  It was a rainy day so we headed out for some adventure.  We found this store that is ran by the Amish community.  Lots of good things to eat.

While visiting Johnny Crow's antique shop Rick found a new friend.

Rick discovered these words of wisdom in a shop's window.

While shopping in Waupaca we came across this cute dinner called Little Fat Gretchen's so of course we had to go in.

While visiting our friends Gretchen and Bob we went to eat at an old converted bank building.  The Treasury is casual but fine dining.  We enjoyed every bite.

A pair of Pixies having Lunch

This past week we were vacationing in Wisconsin.  My friend Gretchen and I ate at a tiny little place called the Speckled Frog.  Everything prepared was edible and grown or baked locally.

Fruits of Labor

Rick wanted to experiment this year. We're enjoying wapsipinicon peach, sunrise bumblebee and pear tomatoes.

Celebrating with our Girl Deb

We came together to celebrate Deb and Wayne as their son Brad got married on Saturday.  Congrats Hilliary and Brad!

USA...USA

Thea is excited for her last day of school and to cheer on USA in the soccer match.

The boat is being enjoyed by the next generation of Sandstroms.  They found a sunny day to enjoy the lake and try it out. Will is very excited to learn to fish!

The American Flag Proudly Displayed

Happy Memorial Day to all!  We stopped at the Cedar Rapids Fire Dept. yesterday to take a picture.  What a sight to behold.

The trip home

Rick and his Mom left Wednesday to make the trip back home to Grand Rapids, MN.  They stopped at Aaron's house to visit the great grandchildren. On the left is Andrew who is 2.5 and on the right is Will who is is almost 4.

Here they are with Grandpa Rick having a good laugh.

One of my dearest friends, Gretchen celebrated her 72nd birthday on April 23 and I was lucky to spend the day with her.  She continues to be a cancer survivor.  Isn't she beautiful?

Rick's Mom Dorothy and his sister Sandy came for a visit.  We went to Pita's for lunch and had a latte at Roasters for desert.

Rick's Mom Dorothy went to our gal Brenna to get a great haircut during her visit.

Friday Funny Papers

My friend Kim gave this to me while meeting for lunch this week.  I took it as a compliment (obviously) I always come prepared!

We took a road trip to Big Grove Brewery in Solon to celebrate Rick's birthday. We discovered the down side of driving with the top down.  This truck full of turkeys also felt the wind in their face!

After searching for more than a year we finally found our convertible!  We drove it every day last week.  We're ready for the dog days of summer.

Happy Easter

The weather from 20 years ago looks much like it does today.  The kids just finished their Easter egg hunt at my Mom's house.  Ryan, Nicole, Sarah, Scott and Elizabeth.

There's nothing better to hear from someone you hold dear.  My niece Nicole made this for me many, many years ago.  Where does the time go?

Ever just have one of those days?  Tempting right?

 

This is my kind of Pub.  Great food with a flair.  While in the Twin Cities area Rick and I took time to visit McCormick's Pub to begin my week long birthday celebration!

Beering the Cold

What else can you do on a cold January weekend but attend the Brrrr Fest? Here we are in Iowa City taste testing beer with 2000 of our closest friends.

The calendar says spring doesn't arrive until March 20 but today we saw 2 robins in our crab apple trees.  Think Spring!

Here are a few more pictures from Christmas Eve at Debbie and Randy's house.  

 

 Every year we take a "kid" picture.  Unfortunately Elizabeth and Josh left for Kansas earlier in the day and couldn't be in the picture.  It was a fun evening spent with family.

Christmas 2013

Every time a bell rings an angel gets her wings.  Mixed in with all of my holiday decorations I came across the bell sweater that my Mom wore in this picture 23 years ago.  Nicole was just 2 years old.

 

Nicole came over on Christmas day wearing the sweater!  It was fun to hear the faint ringing of bells all day.  She even wore bell earring to complete the outfit. She has taken instruction well.

 

The beautiful snow fall was a great photo op!  Scott and Nicole are standing outside in the bistro.  We laughed when we saw the picture because it looks like one of those cheesy backgrounds used at the department stores.  Happy Holidays!