Thanksgiving on the Farm

I realized that it has been TEN years since I was out at the farm. Even though the landscape has changed dramatically since I was a kid, it was a flood of happy memories. I adore my Aunt Myrn and it's everything that is her.

All the old buildings gone

The old red barn replaced by a machine shed

You see Charlie?

Hiking to the bottom of the windmill.  Hiking across plowed, muddy, fields is no joke. Maggie couldn't do it, so I had to carry her. #workout

Giant blades waiting to be installed

Lucy sent this adorable picture of my dad on Thanksgiving day.

This picture does it NO justice, it was breathtaking

Mal fed her adorable new baby Will, Maggie had to jump right in!

Brainerd

Layover in Mpls, just enough time to have two TEN DOLLAR beers

Did you know you could fly to Brainerd?  It was an itty bitty plane, very short flight from the city. I wanted a nice fall weekend with lots of colors, but northern Minnesota had other plans....

Cloudy, but nice.  It ended up being chilly, but not crazy cold. 

We stayed right off the property of Grand View Lodge.  We used to vacation there as kids, and I swear to GOD, this is the lodge we stayed in. I knew it the minute I passed it. 

Katie, Melinda, and me at Grand View Lodge 1988

Deer everywhere.  I grew up in a house that had deer in the backyard almost every winter morning, plus Minnesota AND Missouri both have huge deer populations.  So, why is it still so magical every time you see one??

Saturday ended up being absolutely beautiful, it was almost warm in the sun

Kevin trying for a flattering shot....

I've known both these girls since Widsten Elementary. It was so good to get time with, a real rarity with work, kids, bills, life....It's so important to make time for this stuff and Ms Sarah was the ULTIMATE hostess! (Hi Sarah!)

C's 'little library' for his neighborhood

The crew for weekend (minus C)

It was so nice to be so close to the resort.  We just walked up to the bars and restaurants on property and never had to get in a car!

Little bit of DRANKING happened over the weekend

Amelia and Kale

Bar time fun with Kevin

We will be back! Hopefully soon, it was just such a good time and such a beautiful part of the state.