Wordless Wednesday!

Spotting Eagles

I find it interesting the differences between Oklahoma (where I grew up and lived for 45+ years) and Minnesota (we moved here in a little over 6 years ago). For sure, the way certain words are pronounced is an obvious one you might readily think of, or just the diffence in the weather and temperature. But I never thought much about different areas having different 'wildlife' really, until I moved up here. Very rarely do you drive along and get a good strong whiff of where a skunk has been, and honestly, not sure I've ever seen a skunk out and about up here. I absolutely have never seen an armadillo this far north and occassionally will see an opussum or two (but nothing like the ones 'I've' seen)! We get excited when we're driving along and see a field full of pheasants, golden gophers or wild turkeys and especially when you walk out your back door and come face to face with a few deer passing through the back yard! We've even seen a few 'varments', we've only had to guess at what they were. I find it really exciting on the rare occassions we will see an Eagle flying overhead or swooping down to retrieve something from the ground. That's something I never remember seeing in Oklahoma, except for the ones in the Zoo, of course.

Over the last several weeks, Robert has been having to take a different route to work because of the roads 'south' out of Chaska have been closed due to the Minnesota River being up and flooding the roads. He's been seeing an eagle flying around in one area pretty regularly, and also, finally decided he'd spotted a nest high in the trees. I finally saw the nest last week on my way into Eden Prairie and even located another one further down the river. Well, we decided this weekend we would drive over and hike as close as we could get to it and try to take some pictures. So these are the result of that hike. We really couldn't see with our 'naked' eyes that there was anything in the nest, but once I got home and put the pictures on my computer, you can definately see an eagle sitting in the nest. Also, Sunday afternoon, Jessie and I headed back that way to go to the mall, and when we drove by there was a big eagle sitting out on the limb by the nest! Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me though.

Spring Choir Concert

Finally, it's spring. And that means Jessie's Bellisima class had their spring concert this week. I just wanted to share the video's with those of you that can't make the concert. We miss having you hear with us, that's for sure.

The concert also included the 7/8th grade boys choir, 6th grade mixed choir & 8th grade Bellisima girls as well. The video's the entire combined choirs together for the finale. I know I'm prejudiced, but Jessie's group really did the best. Enjoy!

I KNOW it's been a really long time since I've blogged and I'm a TERRIBLE blogger! But... with the holidays and travel, etc., PLUS, I'm a Grandma!!! Harper Ann Senn was born on January 12, 2010 and she is absolutely gorgeous!!! Just had to post this cute picture of her!

A Great Art Studio

So... we're driving around looking for garage sales, and Jessie says "WOAAA... did you guys see that treehouse?"

I see Robert look in the rearview mirror and he says "WOW!"

I'm like "No, I didn't see it!"

Jessie's yelling, "Pop, you gotta turn around so Mom can see it!"

She was right... Pretty cool treehouse! I told Robert that was what I needed for an 'Art Studio'.

Jessie said "Yeah, Mom, but how would you be able to climb the ladder?"

:o) Kids... gotta love 'em!

Getting Back into the Routine of Things...

School has started and we are trying to get back into the routine of things that we let slide during the summer. Like going to bed early and getting up early! I haven't quite gotten used to getting up early again, but give me another couple weeks (or months) or maybe I should consider coffee again to get me going in the morning. If it only tasted half as good as it smells, I might could gag it down.

We enjoyed our 'night' in Kansas City with Momma, Pa, Jim & Zoma. WE really appreciate that they always meet us there at the end of summer, bringing Jessie half way, so we can rush back home and start the pre-school preparations we have to work into a few short days. I didn't get to use the swimming pool, per instructions from my knee surgeon, however Jessie, Pa & Jim were able to take a dip.

By the time we got home Jessie was running a 101 fever, so we didn't get alot of pre-school stuff done. By Sunday however, she was feeling alot better, so we were able to at least enjoy the last couple days before school started on Tuesday.

This is a picture of Jessie on her first day of 7th Grade.

The picture in the stripes was her first day of 6th grade last year. Look how much taller/older she looks - amazing what a year will do.

I'm closing with this picture from her first day of 3rd grade. I think it's so darn cute, I just had to include it.

Chicago

I've started my countdown, only 3 more weeks from yesterday, until Jessie comes home!!!! I'm so ready to see her. I wanted to post a few pictures from our trip to Chicago. Such a neat city, and after my accident and spending the last day and half in our room... well, I told Robert we have to go back, because there was so much I didn't get to do.


Chicago skyline

Waiting on the bus, after we got off the train, on route to our hotel.

Everyone's taking pictures of our hotel - we were on the 25th floor of the Affinia.

The oldest Ferris Wheel in the U.S. - It's huge!

Absolutely THE BEST PIZZA I have ever eaten - Giordano's - a MUST if you're ever in Chicago!

The Field Museum where I hurt my knee in the FIRST exihibit! That was the end of my fun (and for the most part Robert's too)

The Doobie Brothers sang the National Anthem at the opening of the game - Chicago White Sox vs NY Yankees.

Robert took this pic for Jeffrey - it's Derek Jeter at bat.