The weather recently has been off and on. Some really warm, sunny days, and quite a few rainy days. All in all, we have been able to enjoy the backyard with some grilling, gardening and playing. I't looking like Dawn's green thumb has quickly come back. We hope to put in a full blown garden before the summer is out. One of many projects we want to accomplish!
The first big thing we did since the last post was visit Centennial Lakes. I frequented there back in high school and Bob Cunningham took our engagement photos there, but hadn't been back since. Since the weather was nice, we headed that was on Saturday. It's a very pleasant place and a great place to walk. Ella really enjoyed herself, as she always does when she is outside! At CL and every place, Ella is talking more than ever. Saying uh-oh, thank you, ready, okay, etc...it seems like a new word every day...so precious!
A week and a half ego we visited Grand Forks for the first time since moving down to the Twin Cities. It was pretty surreal to see old restaurants, apartment buildings and of course campus that we used to frequent. 
We lucked out and saw one of our old Thompson friends, Bert, at the Columbia Mall. She used to work with Dawn at Riddles and still works at UND. The reason for our visit was Tim and Kaley's wedding. It was pretty cool to see lots of old college friends, including Erik and his fiance Leisha, Mike Kinney, Will, Scott, Eric Leach, and Brady. It was a short Lutheran service at Sheran Lutheran followed by a reception of the Ramada. We ended up "partying" until about 10pm until calling it a night.
Before leaving GF for home, we visited campus for a short stint. We let Ella cruise around campus by the fountain and the celebrated sign. Dawn's dream came true when Gamble's doors were open (where Dawn took most of her classes when at UND). So we took Ella around and gave her a tour of the classrooms where we once wasted time. We didn't get a chance to escape away to our favorite watering hole, Parrot's Cay. Maybe on the next trip!
The following week we mainly got accustomed to being back in the cities and at work. However, once we came home, we were already looking forward to getting back out of the cities for Memorial Weekend in Merrifield. BUT, before I forget, we were fortunate enough see Josh and Shena. They were in town for a Twins baseball game and to see Knickelback in concert. We picked them up from the Mall of America after they took a short trip on the light rail. We had some 'za for dinner and had a few drinks. They both are excited for their new house to be completed where they have a good amount of land for Shena's horses and a big barn for all of Josh's toys.
Because we had already traveled alot last weekend, we waited until Saturday morning to drive to the cabin. Plus, memorial weekend traffic is never easy. Hugh and Joni had already been up at the cabin for a week, but they had come back down to the cities for a funeral and a wedding (not the same person). But, when we arrvied on Saturday about 10, Rose and Chas, Jr. and XY were there to welcome us. It was a beautiful sunny day and we spent all of it outside down by the lake. We stopped by the Bye's cabin that afternoon to see Steph, Kyle and Keli, Derek and the girls, and the parents and grandparents. John and Cyndi had traveled to Iowa to see her mother. On their way back, they stopped in the Brainerd area for the evening. It just so happened that Steve and Connie we in the area visiting Connie's sister (who also lives in Merrifield). The four joined us for dinner at the cabin. We enjoyed a few beers, told stories and enjoyed eachother's company. We were all very happy that they stopped by (although Ella was very shy with everyone)!
We had a fire that night where enjoyable drinks were had. Sunday the weather was a bit gloomy. So we spent most of the day relaxing and even had a fire midday. Monday was also very awesome in terms of weather. We ended up taking off about 4pm after spending more time on the lake. Ella still isn't quite used to the boat yet, but I imagine she will get there soon! Granted, she did drive the boat a bit a loved every minute of it.
We, thankfully, don't have any plans for the coming weekends. We do have a big Satermo family reunion to look forward to at the end of July. I would like to get back to ND before then.
song: One Eskimo - Kandi
memory: As Ella is getting bigger, it brings back memories of all the little things we did as kids to keep ourselves entertained while in Merrifield. One of the memorable festivities was going on rock walks. We would walks for miles to find the coolest looking rocks. And let me tell you, you would be suprised to see what we would find. Mother informed me this weekend that the rocks ended up contributing to the landscaping once we got back to the cabin. She has yet to thank us that. Unfortunately, the road since has been tared. So rock walks may be a thing of the past. But a memory nonetheless.
All for now...
