How high's the water, momma?

I usually have pictures of kids or events here but we've

had some unusual flooding at our campground this

week.  All the rain from east central MN is making

its way down the Mississippi River and we are

one of its many victims.  We are luckier than most

of our camping neighbors.  We happen to be on a patch

of "higher" ground so water around camper was only

ankle deep.  We were able to keep power and water

and starting Sunday the water is quickly retreating.

 Our friend Nancy on her "deck"/dock.

 Our camper in on the left in the distance.  This is

looking from the normal boat landing towards

the campground.  Normally you would be

seeing 6 or 7 campers here.

 Nancy and Jeff parked their paddle boat near

their deck/dock for quick loading.  We actually

rode the paddler between campsites.

 Another view of our camper (on the right) from

across the parking lot.  Yes, the parking lot

is coverd with water.

This and That and Crazy Hats

Some days we are inside.

Some days we are outside.

Here, Briggs works on coloring and Ethan

does what he does best.....eat.

Meanwhile, Andrew & Everleigh play Little Pet Shop

The kids decided to try on hats and

for some reason Ethan chose wings.

Ethan and Andrew at the first puppet show at

Quarry Park in Eagan.  It's a fun 45 minutes or

so...puppets and a project.  This week's theme was aliens.

Another day and all four kids are at Swenson's front

yard taking turns in the wagon.

Here they are playing their own version of "farm".

Ethan was a chicken, Briggs was a sheep dog,

Andrew was a horse and Everleigh was the farmer.

Andrew and Ethan take a break in their gazebo.

It was quite a day.  A cement mixer came to their

house!  They spent the entire morning on the deck

watching guys build a fire ring.

Lucky

"How lucky we are to have something that makes

saying goodbye so hard?"

My niece, Bethanie, and her family are leaving

Minnesota this week to spend 3 years in

Roanoke, VA so her husband can complete

his residency towards his medical degree.

Beth and Barry got married in 2008 and

have two sons, Brody (4) and Maverick (2).

They have been a huge part of our extended

family gatherings and to say they

will be missed is an understatement.

But we wish them well on this new adventure.

We know they will be back.  But

in the mean time, we hope they

continue to keep us posted via facebook

and blogging.  We will miss

these little faces in our group poses at

holidays and birthday parties.  

How lucky we are to have something

that makes saying goodbye so hard....

 Maverick last summer

 Beth and Maverick at the Ketcher birthday last fall.

 Brody and Maverick with cousin Claire at daycare.

 Maverick with our Ethan at a recent birthday.

These 2 are about 2 months apart in age.

 These 2 photos were of the Cousin boys last Christmas.

Maverick, Ethan, Brody, Briggs, Max and Andrew

 The boys were joined by Claire and Everleigh for this pose.

Here's Barry...as usual, surrounded by a bunch of kids.

The Park Family at Maverick's 2nd birthday

party (super hero theme)