Ice Fishing - Mille Lacs

A Good day - A nice ice house.

We Me, S., D. and a friend from church went up this morning, rented an underwater camera, picked up some bait and hunkered down. It was fun, we cooked lunch on the camp grill, setup the rattle wheels and tried jigging. But we only caught one little perch. These are my camera technicians. Jigging, no - Baiting, maybe - Watching a TV - YES!

Christmas

The Christmas Eve service was good, I had to laugh though, this church seems to have a lot of little traditions. The Spontaneous Mens Choir - We sing "We Three Kings" - The candle lighters families talk about their Christmas traditions, and the kid gets Hot Tameles. They had 4,7, and 11 O'clock services packed. And like Pastor George used to, there was a sense that the pastor had one shot to reach some people he might only see twice a year.

It was great to see Lorance on the Webcam from Bunga's Laptop. He looked so good. They move to thier new address (in Winsted) next week. We missed not having family around - but it was good, we went to our friends house for dinner, and to spend the evening. The Ham was great!

Saturday - I invited a group of coworkers from Work out for the evening.

Booked an Ice House on the south end of Mille Lacs - furnace, generator, outhouse - dinette, and holes. Monday - bringing up S., D. and a friend from Church - C. will come up later with N. Reports to follow.

It's been too long...

D. went on the Troops Ski campout - and had a good time. He also was in the Church play, and enjoyed that as well.

S. has done some babysitting (and might not hate it). And eats like a horse.

N. is doing well - Our pack went to the Becker community pool, and rode down the slide a million times. CT doesn't have the community investment that nearly every town out hear does.

Thanksgiving was with the Manzi's - and after we open presents we will head over to the Millers for dinner.

We marched in the Holidazzle parade - it was pretty cool. The nicest parade we've ever been in - and we were all electrified and all lit up.

And the family was part of the live Nativity in front of the church. It was cold.

My Sunday school class has been watching the Rob Bells "The Gods aren't angry" which I thought was very good - a bit historical but a really well done conclusion.

'Ween

1) Umpa is home and well, and two of my Scouts are going to check in on him.
2) Lots of candy came in and went out Friday. Weather was good.
3) The older guys have a field trip to BOB-FM tomorrow.

Weekend Update

Umpa is recovering after his surgery - He moved to Litchfield Woods for some PT. Bunga seems to have about three loose ends going on - Umpa, Lorance and they are scattering Aunt Jill's ashes on the Mountains above Pine Bush on Sunday.

For Me - Sunday School tomorrow "Everything is Spritual", Monday MB - "Citizenship and the World", Tuesday Den Meeting. And sometimes I go to work.

It's been a while...

1) Birthday was ok. D. replaced my Yankee hat (he left one on a ride at the MOA when he visited Mn. before moving out). I got a neat clip watch as well.

2) Lorance is not well, and has tests upcoming Monday. My Nephew B. was bit by one of thier guard dogs, but is fine, and probably looks scary.

3) I had an exciting few days, I interviewed with the Council office to be part of the Council Contingent to the National Jamboree in 2010. They selected me, but before they could even tell me my job, they emailed to say I wouldn't be qualified for that particular job. So - Disappointing, but I figure it's 2 years 'til they leave - so we'll be patient.

4) And at the cub level, in Pack 97, I have been asked to step up to the CM job (again!) in February. We split N.'s den so we have two wolf dens this year.

5) And yes Aventura - you're in my prayers this weekend.

Ripley Rendezvous

This weekend S. & D. And I went with Troop 90 up to Fort Ripley, for the Council-wide Fall Camporee. I taught the Space Exploration (Rocketry) merit badge. It was good, we stayed in tin huts that slept about 20. About 200 people all told.

N. did well - had company sleep over and went to the Elk River Methodist tag sale. Dog was sleeping poorly though.

Got news from Moz. today the my little nephew got bit by the family guard dog - some ugly stitches later, Cami writes that he is fine. He is in our prayers that this wound is clean and closes up well, and about the personal bugaboo that dogs seem to have become for my brothers family. It seems that dogs do make them feel safer out there, but this isn't even the second time one of their boys has gotten bitten.

Dog Named, News at 11!

It's the Left guy, named Logan. He spent most of his first afternoon hiding in a corner. But he is starting to perk up. Good to talk to Umpa and the folks in Moz. today!

New Member!

Look who is moving in! Just one of them though. Name and details to follow.


And yes N. had a good birthday, Mommy brought cupcakes to school and had lunch there. Kid party is next week.

Mommy Happy!

The Boys returned to School, So Mommy is happy!

We spent the weekend at Big Oak Campground in Monticello. It is owned by the local Energy company, it has a big pool and about 40 remote campsites. It is also under consideration to be the new location for Cub Camp in the spring. We had company out for the day on Sunday, and a friend from work camped over - It was a good time, and the new stove worked well, and the Dutch Oven rocked.

Weekend Update

1) Umpa is home and sore, but getting better.

2) Went to Rum River Scout Camp -Very nice, but does not have Scout dining hall, type facilities.
A good court of honor for the troop - Summer Camp stuff, but the Pack was invited and no one came. Maybe we need to do Pack camping earlier in the summer or at an RV capable camp.

3) Mommy says "Only eight days 'til school, but who's counting "- And a brief "HA" to the Torrington folks, who started today.

4) Went to http://www.mnstatefair.org/ today - the Fried Bacon covered in chocolate and salt was exactly as it sounds "AWESOME" - And would probably kill you in even medium sized doses.

August Events

Last week was a Twins game - We Cubbys got to march on the field prior to the game. This weekend the pack is accompanying the Troop to Rum River Scout Camp in Anoka. And next week we will be using the camper at Big Oaks out in Monticello.

Preparing to return to MN.

A great vacation was had by all. Got the Mommy priorities out of the way early, picnics and pictures and a family reunion. Me and the Boys went up to Camp Workcoeman to stay with Troop 3 on Friday night. It was great! The boys and I were welcomed home, and the took the Cowboy theme to the limit, and then further. They used the Districts Wagons West stagefronts to decorate the camp - even came to the flag ceremony one day in a horse and wagon. We slept out in tents, even the little guy (who was so proud of his swim tag). Been staying at my parents in Winsted since Sunday. Visited friends, went to back Bakersville Methodist (a sad and strange story) and even visited Nasdaq friends. The boys stayed over at friends homes, and took a day trip to the beach with Bunga. K. and T. let us borrow their van, we were here and they were in Thialand on a mission trip - what a blessing! We were able to leave the Camper parked and still get out and about. And the guys got to the dump with Umpa.

They've arrived...in Torrington!

The family, except for me is in town. I'll arrive Thursday. Our cells work.

Travelling East

C. and the boys have left, and reached Elkhart, Ind. to bunk down for the night.

Updates - Pre Ct.

S. & D. are off to Camp Many Point. When they get home, we mount up and get to Ct. Want to see us? Let's setup some time.

Plans

This weekend we shakedown the camper again. It's not far - and we can run home Sunday for Church.

http://hamlakecampground.com/hamlakecampground.com/Welcome.html

The Guys head for Boys Scout Camp - for the week of the 20th.

http://www.northernstarbsa.org/Camping/Facilities/ManyPoint/

Then it's off to Ct!

Camping - Mommy Style

We went up to Mille Lacs Lake camping this weekend.

http://www.southislecampground.com/


S. and I went fishing on the Lake - for Walleye. It was a total failure, I'm beginning to think I'm cursed, I haven't caught a decent fish is ages. We went with the open launch at 7pm from Anglers Paradise in Isle. The weather was fair to poor - one guy got one, but it was 20" (in the slot) so we had to throw it back. Leeches, Yum!

Used our newest toy - See above. A family from from Cubs came as well - they had invited N. to come with their son a month ago. So we camped around the corner - It was very nice. It drives nice as well. We have a couple of minor things to figure out still, but we'll schedule another dry run - and it will be ready for the ride to Ct.

Camp is coming

We're running Cub camp in Zimmerman, at the Sherbourne National Wildlife refuge. 172 Cubs in a three day camp, there is no waterfront so we doubled up Scout Skills and added a Bouldering wall.

The Camper is still being prepped. It suffered hail damage prior to my purchasing it - so their insurance is repairing it first.

School is over - Everyone did ok. S. is in a building kick, a catapult and stilts in the last week - and we got the tractor back and it runs - so he give rides to the others around the yard.

C. took them all out today to a going out of business sale at a Red Hat store - Good news for Grandma...And it had penny candy like the Canaltown Emporium in Ellenville.

Happy Memorial Day

There were a lot of dusty images out there today.

Bunga and Umpa are in the skies - returning to Ct. by tomorrow afternoon.

Had two families over for Memorial Day - one from church and one from the Bus. It was windy and cool, so we didn't do much outside - we did play disc golf again at Lions Park though.

P.D.Q Bach

Took C. to a P.D.Q. Bach concert tonight at the Minneapolis Orchestra Hall. Either - Jerry Garcia never died, or my friend Joel is in Disguise. To that end I saw Joel over and over while we were there - young Joel, bald Joel, bearded Joel...

Well - tomorrow is the big day - She doubles the drinking age!

And Monday friends are coming over for a picnic. More news later...

RV Redux

So we took the Class C we looked at last night down to a dealer in Anoka - for an appraisal, it looked good, and was a good deal - So we're going to buy it. C. will use it to drive back to CT. after the guys return from Manypoint - and I'll fly out and return with them.

So now in addition to Cub Camp June 16-18th and the Guys Boy Scout trips - we need to shake this thing down.

Post-Birthday Updates

D. party was Friday night - a half-dozen friends came over to play Wii and eat Buffalo Wild Wings - He has his first girlfriend as well! S. had five guys over, they played Guitar Hero, and Wii - Then we went to BWW, for the trivia as well.

We went fishing two Sundays ago with a guy from church - had a good time but caught tiny crappies and sunfish. But S. caught a nice Bass, and we tasted it Monday night.

Been Camper shopping the last few weekends. Figuring on using my pension to settle up my Credit cards, and use some of it for a used inexpensive RV. There are more RV dealerships along my commute than anywhere I've ever seen. We've looked at Class A's since the few class C's we saw where out of our price range. But we were looking last weekend, and saw one, too expensive but perfect, and when I started in looking at carsoup.com and rvtrader.com - I found more, we went out to a farm in Otsego tonight - and will take it out to one of the dealerships tomorrow morning for a look-see.

Scouty Update

Troop - Spent the weekend at Stearns Camp last weekend - It was beautiful and spacious. You can rent gear (BB's, Archery equiptment, Ski's and even patrol boxes!). The cabin was nice but buggy - warm, with a flush toilet and shower and 4 RV hookups outside.


Pack - We had a pack meeting tonight, and held our graduation ceremony. I know it can not be official for another two months, and we didn't know so half my Tigers (and my wife) missed it. Next week my Tiger will go visit a plastics factory.

Camp - Day camp will be Sherburne Wildlife Refuge, at the old schoolhouse - I visited it last week with the D.E. and a representive of the refuge (and the District Ctte.). Looks very doable. Had a parents meeting last week (same day). Looks good , three days, $25 - Archery, BB ranges and a bouldering wall.

S. is looking at joining a crew going to the Boundary waters in June for 9 days, except I don't have $550. D. is looking at going on the Troops Whitewater trip (just a weekend).

Updates (and expansions) to follow.

House Update

The Torrington House is rented out, they signed a lease for a year. Maybe the market will have settled by then - I don't think you can sell anything that's not outright robbery right now. Plus, we'll be a year closer to the courthouse by them.

The in-laws have been returned...

to Ct. They were here for a week - through Easter. It was nice, they went to the Science museum and visited Stillwater, Mn.

The impending tenants won't get started until mid-April.

That's the news...

House News

The Ct. house is being leased for a year. It should take the pressure off the monthly payments. and they may purchase it as well.

C. and I went to the District Scout Dinner on Thursday. Food was great, there was a raffle we sat with the Troop leadership and had a nice time. Day camp can not be at Ann Lake where we had supposed it would be. We have an alternative location that I'll check out this week.

C. is running the Wolf Howl tomorrow - The District wide Wolf gathering in Foley. It is very much like the Tiger Prowl that N., S. and I went to last fall.

Dereliction of Duty

Two weekends ago we went Ice fishing, I rented an Ice house on Clearwater Lake (about 45 minutes, 25 miles south and west). 'Spensive and we caught nuttin'. But it had a fish camera - and that was cool. The next day, Sunday the 17th, we went Tubing in Maple Grove - The town has a hill (in Ct. it'd be a bump) and they have a nice lodge, with XC trails, Downhill skiing, snowboarding and a tubing hill - with a conveyor to carry you back up. They offer rentals for all the stuff as well.

Have an offer to rent out the House in Ct. Not sure I want it in my name and off the market for another year. Will pray through this weekend, and assuming nothing changes, will set it up next week. Should probably have Umpa take a movie of the whole house pre-move in.

N. is having a sleepover tonight (3 friends). S. & D. & I are going to eagle cave in Blue River, Wisconsin.

Tomorrow is groundhog day again...

Gee, was today Groundhog day as well?

House is relisted through the Washington Agency.

D.'s youth group will be here for the Super Bowl, Hooray.

Hello - it's a bit nippy

Took C. and family to Ikea yesterday - but are bailing on going sledding downtown and tubing with the Troop tonight. The high temp. for the last two days (and the next 5) is single digits - Today its -2 and a low of -12. Glad I didn't go camping (outside) with the Troop either.

C. is now the Jr. youth group leader on Sunday nights, And no I still haven't had a Sr. High class, everyone is "too busy". N. raced in the Pinewood Derby last weekend - a great Tiger made car - but it didn't win. We have a full complement of nerf guns now - and when I shot a hiding N. last week it hit him in the mouth and knocked out that troublesome front tooth - the one he'd bent back twice two years ago. C. told me to go down and shoot D. in the mouth to save us the cost of an extraction (which didn't happen).

S.'s wallpaper is up and came out good, pictures to follow.

Scouts update :
C. was volunteered to run the wolf howl (they do rank specific district events) in March - Program is all setup.
N. has earned his bobcat - we will give it out at the B&G.
D. (according to his Scoutmaster) has completed his Tenderfoot (and First aid and Swimming).
S. earned the same ones.
Day Camp looks promising - We will probably be at Lake Ann in Zimmerman - Dr. Baujin is looking into coming out for it. It will be Monday thru Wednesday June 16 - 18. They have traditionally held it in a park for two days, so we will stretch together.