Fantastic Night

Last evening Bill and I made the trek down to Grand Rapids, ND to watch the LaMoure County Summer Theater group perform Beauty and the Beast. It was an absolutely fantastic night!
Driving back "home" always gives a feeling of peace and happiness. I know we did not grow up very far from Casselton but really, the scenery around here is not, well it just is not the same as the Sheyenne Valley or even the James Valley. Going back down through the valley and seeing trees, wildlife and the rivers makes me feel good inside!
I love the Grand Rapids golf course but have not golfed there in years. Bill has never been down there so it was fun to take him there and show him the old bridge, the hills and the quaintness of the area. We did not get a chance to go out and golf, just stopped by to check it out.
We then headed over to the "barn"/theater for the show. Driving through the brick gated area and down the winding path is beautiful and peaceful.

The show turned out to be wonderful, just like I remember they always were. There is something to be said about community theater especially in small town North Dakota. I not only watched the show, but the people. The people in the LaMoure/Grand Rapids area are real people. Many different types of people all mixed together speaking in the true North Dakotan fashion (mixed with a bit of German accent). Lots of "Good old Catholic" folks including a few nuns, priests and large families gathered together.
What a great feeling to be around wonderful people for an evening of entertainment!
With stadium like seating, a full concession stand and an awesome stage I forgot where I was and fell back in love with the theater and the magical place nestled down in the James River Valley.

Buddy time at the Lake

My buddies Jess, Bridget and Jess's brother Luke visited Lake Sallie this weekend. We had fun swimming, hanging out and having Zorbaz yumminess.
Here are a few pics of our swimming fun!

Bridget and Jess had a great deal of fun trying out different dismounts from the pontoon...

Nephew Fun

Yesterday, Bill and I spent some quality time with our nephews so their parents could celebrate their 9th wedding anniversary.

   

We spent several hours playing on the play equipment out at the Res.

Then, when Bill arrived we headed to the dock for a bit of fishing fun.

 

We had a picnic in the park, cleaned up the school, saw our buddy Jess and sang all the way home. 

What fun it is spending time with these special guys!

Bill's birthday weekend

Bill managed to get a little snorkel time this weekend. He really enjoyed it and I believe it maybe added to our adventure list of things we need to do. He is talking about the Great Barrier Reef and a trip to Australia. For now we enjoyed Lake Sallie and its underwater world.

He also managed to come inside for a bit of traditional ice cream cake.

 

Gus-the return to Lake Sallie

Gus made his return to Lake Sallie this weekend and it went pretty well!

 

He started out in the water and on the dock playing, running and enjoying himself.

He stopped to take a rest in the sand.

Played with one of his favorite people, Grandpa Dale.

Crashed in the grass...

  

Went for an enjoyable and tiring pontoon ride.

 

Bonded with his buddy, Sandy.

AND by the time we were ready to head home... 

 

He was all tired out!

What was Sandy up to while Gus was so busy? 

Well, Sandy had a pretty rough time while she was at the lake...

 

Bill's 31st Birthday

Bill had a happy 31st birthday.After shopping with Brendan, Carter and Dustin I was able to make him a birthday meal...

 

I grilled him a delicous meal of corn, steak mushroom kabobs marinated in a light olive oil/red wine vinegar sauce accompanied by a yummy Caesar salad.

  

Then topped it off with a tasty hamburger cake. It tasted like a peanut butter cup. YUMMY!

 

Then we headed to Fargo to the Movie Grown Ups.

A must summer see for a humorous showing! I had to hold my stomach with both arms during the entire show because I was laughing so hard I thought my stitches would actually pop!

My Nephew is awesome

I know I brag a great deal about both Brendan and Carter but today Brendan was the sweetest six year old in the world.
After my morning outing I went home, took a nap and was ready to go grocery shopping with Dustin and the boys this afternoon. Honestly I was debating calling and saying I was too tired to go but I know I have to push it a bit so I did.
Anyway, by the time we made it to the grocery store the cart was kind of a struggle for me. Brendan noticed and said, "How about you grab the stuff and I push the cart? That should work real good Dana!"
He pushed the cart through out the entire store! Towards the end Carter found us and wanted to help but Brendan explained that, "Dana needs me to help because she isn't too good at pushing today."
I  think my Brendan is pretty great:)

T-ball Fun

I had a great outing this morning! I drove to Casselton all by myself and watched Brendan play T-ball. It was an intense game between the gray team and the orange team. The kids were great and it was a ton of fun to watch! 

I think the best part for me is watching my brother coach his son. It takes a special kind of person to coach their own child and after watching today I know Dustin will be great coaching Brendan.

Lucky to be a McLeod

Growing up as a McLeod Grandchild has had many benefits...  

We all learned to pose for pictures like pros...

 

We gained best friends for a lifetime...

 

We have watched and helped each other learn, love, lose, move and start families.

  

We stick together when it matters most...

 

We spent many meals, nights, and days "RELAX"ING around the table at GMAC's house...

And timeless hours hanging at the cabin...

 

Yes, growing up as a McLeod Grandchild has been, WELL, absolutely perfect;) hehe

OK Really?!?!

REVIEW of the DAY:
6:05 Wake up
6:06 Realization that my chest and shoulders hurt so bad I cried a bit but manage to eat some apple sauce, take some tylenol and go back to sleep.
6:10 Bill leaves for work
8:15 Wake up to Bill's voice downstairs saying "Honey, I am sick and laying on the couch!" (Oh our new couch came last week)
All I could think was what if I get the stomach flu??? Selfish I know but after having my stomach and esophagus re-routed, 200+ stitches holding my digestive system together-I really do not think the tummy flu would be conducive to me staying out of the hospital and on my healing road.
8:20-10:30 Still hurting but manage to get out of bed, take a shower, get dressed and check on Bill all by myself. First time I have done this since last Sunday-kind of a big deal. Seriously I really want to continue the road to feeling a new normal.
11:30 While sitting on the couch we both are thinking it is OK, at least we have each other and we are safe.
We then smell smoke. I noticed smoke coming out of the vents! AHHHHH!!!! We had some sort of electrical fire in our basement. Bill managed to get the breaker off and call the furnace people. I had the phone in my hand to call 911. THANK GOD Bill was home with the tummy flu!
12:55 The furnace people are on their way and I am blogging. The smoke has stopped, it stinks in here, but we are OK and I am seriously wondering what is up next.
It is funny how God works, me being here by myself would not have been good. He gave Bill the tummy flu to ensure he was home to protect Gus, Sandy and I. Crazy!
We are so blessed and are thankful this happened while we were both home.

4th of July

This year I was a little bit more low key on the activity scale and needed to just lay back and relax. It was still fun to watch everyone enjoy, play and spend time together. I am hoping in a couple of weeks I will be able to go in the water, do a bit of kayaking and maybe even hit the golf course! In the meantime this weekend was just what the doctor ordered and gave me a bit more strength and energy.

 

I was able to do a little bit of fishing...I was not quite strong enough to reel in the big one but Bill was;) 

Watching smoke bombs is always fun!

 

Bill introduced the world of Looney Tunes to Brendan and Carter. They thought it was great!

The boat parade was lacking a few floats this year but here are two of my favorites...

  

Bill hung out inside with me. We watched the sun go down, and the fireworks from the sunroom. It was exactly what the doctor ordered!