Checking In

Dear Readers,

Please don't give up on me. I'm still here.

This school year
and my family
and my job
and my new house
have left little time for blogging.

And that is how it must and should be right now.

Changes are coming though.

Stay tuned.

Blessings,
Michelle

PS Here are some more vacation pictures
to enjoy in the meantime.
Day 6 was a highlight for us all!

Following Laura: Part 3

On Day 4 of our trip, we left the Pepin area and traveled toward Walnut Grove, MN, scene of On the Banks of Plum Creek.

On the way, we stopped to have a picnic lunch with some dear friends, the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus, in New Ulm.

We then continued on our way, stopping to pick up groceries before heading to Lake Shetek State Park and the camper cabin we would be staying in for the next three nights.

We had time to check out the lake and do a little exploring before dinner.

While the big kids were able to stay dry, ...

... it was just too enticing for The Baby.

On Day 5, we spent the morning at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Walnut Grove.

(I think I should post this in our schoolroom, don't you?)

(And definitely this one!)

After stopping at the restroom, ...

... we drove past the bell that Pa helped to purchase for the church in Walnut Grove.

And then we headed to Plum Creek Park, where we enjoyed a picnic lunch and the afternoon playing in Lake Laura.

Then it was time to head back to camp for a quick bath on the deck ...


... and dinner before the storm came rolling in.

Following Laura: Part II

I have been so busy getting ready for our school year, and trying to unpack a few more boxes, and staying caught up on my paying job, that I just haven't had time to share more of our vacation ... but I must, because we had such a good time (and I need a record for myself, too!).

Not wanting to move around too often, we had decided to stay in each locale for two full days. Having visited all of the Laura sites in Wisconsin, we stayed on the Minnesota side of the Mississippi for Day 3.

We hiked at Frontenac State Park.


We rode a genuine replica 1800s paddle wheeler.

beautiful Lake Pepin

It was crowded,
but The Baby found a great spot under the table.

And then she made some new friends.

And the three older kids all got to drive for a while.

We picnicked in a city park and fed the ducks.


And we visited LARK Toys and rode a hand-carved basswood carousel
(probably the coolest carousel I've ever seen).

Miss Rose and her unicorn

Miss Sunshine's steed

a Boy and his Dragon

The Baby wasn't too sure about this ginormous bunny.

But she warmed up to him by the time the ride was over.

We finally headed back to the hotel for a quick swim,

and some bedtime reading.


Stay tuned for more ...