Wonderful trip to White Bear Lake, Minnesota

  We just came back from a wonderful airplane trip to White Bear Lake, Minnesota,  to visit our son, Kurt and his family for Thanksgiving.  Kurt and Olivia had their 4 week old son, Zachary, and older son Sam at their house.  It was the first time that we were able to see Zachary since he was born. He is a strong baby who likes to be held a lot.  On the last full day that we were there, Sam got sick and was throwing up and had a slight fever.  Our daughter, Mary, was instrumental in getting us there.  Mary arranged all of the flight plans and was a great help with Sam and Zachary.  Without Mary's help, I would be lost. My wife, Penny, got to hold Zachary for long periods of time.  Kurt both picked us up at the Minneapolis Airport and took us back there when we returned home.

  Olivia's parents, Bill and  Juanita Stipe, came for Thanksgiving dinner. They are wonderful people to be with. Sam and Kurt and Olivia's dog, George, a Beagle-Terrier, were very happy to see them. Juanita helped Olivia prepare the meal. Bill did other things with Kurt to prepare for the meal. Being Thanksgiving, there was plenty of food for everyone to eat.  Wine was served to those who wanted it. We enjoyed watching football.  When Bill and Juanita were trying to leave, both Sam and George wanted to go with them.  After everything settled down, we watched some more football.

  On Friday, we went shopping in Roseland.  I think that they have better highways than we have here in Milwaukee.  We saw black squirrels and gray squirrels in the backyard.  Kurt said that sometimes a family of wild turkeys visit their yard. Mary took George for a one mile walk, but a large dog from across the street broke its leash and crossed the busy road toward them.  Mary convinced the large dog to return to its home and knocked on the door at its house. The woman owner asked Mary what she wanted, and was told that Mary was returning her dog that escaped from its leash and was in danger of being run over by the heavy traffic on the road.  Once Mary had gotten the big dog into its home territory, it growled at her and George.

  On Saturday morning, we had to get up at 3:00 a.m. to get ready to go to the airport and catch our flight home.  Kurt drove us there.  He was very tired.  I wish to thank  Kurt and Olivia for allowing us to stay at their house during this trip.  With the new baby, they get very tired, but they took the time to greet and keep us company.  I also would like to thank Bill and Juanita Stipe for visiting us.  All in all, it was  great going to White Bear Lake, Minnesota, to visit them at their home.  I hope that things get easier for Kurt and Olivia as Zachary gets older.  Thank you Kurt and Olivia for receiving us at your home.