Guess who else came to dinner?

Your new "BOSS" in the Gustavus Chaplain's office thinks its time you returned home! She's awaiting your arrival as an apprentice this fall.

Yes, she brought her husband, Don, along...and about 20 others too. These pictures show Nancy and Rich Helgeson, Paul Aasen, Jan Jensen, Rachel and Don, and Monica Kraatz (oh, and me).

The doctors Baumgartner send their greeting as well. They were checking out R&L when the photos were taken.


First Lutheran's congregational council held a brief business meeting while standing in my living room. Once adjourned, we feasted on potluck treasures. What Lutheran gathering would be complete without hotdish? But we sacrificed...we had wine instead of coffee!

Great-grandpa's tool chest was the focus of their attention much of the evening, they all raved over its beauty.

More Tristan Photos...

Tristan and the Gang Say Hi!

Tristan held a photo shoot today to share his day's activities with you! We arrived to find Lucy camped out under the fuel barrel. Tristan drove up in the golf cart, complete with hand made "Hi Carl" signs. (Unfortunately, the signs didn't show up on camera very well - they are the white pieces of paper hanging from the golf cart.) He took Liz for a ride, to show her the new three hole golf course he and Grandpa John made last week. Then Tristan, Liz and Lucy posed for pictures. George Billy was a little more standoff-ish than Lucy - he had to have his own picture.

Tonight is Liz's last night at home. Tomorrow, she and I will go to the Cities to spend the night. We plan to see Grandpa and Grandma Nilsen before heading to a hotel. It will be easy to catch a shuttle to the airport in the morning, in time to meet the People to People group at the airport at 9:15 am.

We had a going away party for the Trimont folks tonight. Grandpa and Grandma Rabbe came, Jay, Deb and Tristan, and Joanne. After supper Liz and Goofy Grandma showed Tristan how to work the stilts. He did awesome for his first time on stilts, and would have made it across the whole driveway, except that it was so hot and humid they eventually called it quits. When we came in to cool off, Tristan had a blast figuring out how to work the zoom on the digital camera. All in all, it was quite a day!

Now that you've seen Tristan's pictures, he's excited to see your pictures when you get home!

Look Who Came to Supper!

Your other family says, "Come Home Soon!" It's just not the same without you!

Just to Make Sure You Come Home...

Liz and Goofy Grandma got together to make Swedish Meatballs today. I set aside a round dozen for you to have when you get home. That shows you how many of these we plan to eat before you get here!

The Old Millionaire and His Lovely Bride Say Hi!

From Fairmont to Lima - Greetings! Aldor and DeElda have been busily preparing for an onslaught of family next month. You should see their latest creations. They are enjoying keeping up with your travels through your blog.

Grandpa and Grandma Nilsen say Hi!

Grandma Nilsen and her bridge group all send their greetings, as do Grandpa Nilsen, and Gordy, Grandpa's favorite server at the VFW in Richfield. Grandpa asked "How's the world traveler?" as soon as I walked in the room today. He was very interested in your web posts, and I showed him pictures of Machu Picchu on line. We're all getting anxious to hear your stories when you get back. Safe travels this weekend, Carl!

NCS says hi!

Amy, Connie and Mary all send their greetings! At the office, we're all anxiously awaiting Ben's return from Iraq. The first Minnesota men returned yesterday, and now it seems real that everybody is coming home.

And in 10 days, you'll be home, too! We can't wait, Carl!

Skyline Citizen Says Hi!

And a good time was had by all!

Oh, Carl, we wish you had been here. Skyline Citizen was awesome, the food was incredible and overwhelming, and the company fantastic.

When Skyline Citizen came, Stephen brought his new girlfriend, Lindsey. She was spending the day at Fox Lake with Stephen and all the Helvigs, but this was her first time with his family, and he didn't want to abandon her with them for 4 hours while they came down to Spirit Lake. So Lindsey came along! The guys all said to tell you hi (see the sign? that's Lindsey with SC and me). I'm also including a couple of pictures of them singing, and a group shot with me.

The last photo is the whole Redneck Yacht Club, with the exception of Susie-Q's brother and sister in law. So from all of us to you, Happy 4th of July, Carl!

The Not-So-Redneck Yacht Club Arrives

Hello from Okoboji! Our friends from Illinois, Iowa, and Las Vegas, Nevada arrived last night. Tomorrow we take them to Minnesota to do the Trimont, Ormsby, New Ulm, and Sherburn tour. Tomorrow night, Sue's brother, sister-in-law, son, and son's friend join us at the cabin. On Wednesday, Rodney and Myrna Heimansen and Slim join us for the 4th of July festivities.

Pictured here are (left to right) Sue and Danny (Vook), Bill and Rose.

Yupper Yupper!