Chily Expeditions: Summertime 2012

This has got to be one of the hottest Summer's ever in Wisconsin and surrounding states. Because we weren't able to find a long-term RV spot for my Arpin assignment, Kirk took the RV to Red Bay, Alabama to have some work done on it. I was fortunate enough to be able to stay with Ben and Nicki (son and daughter-in-law) and continue working while Kirk was there. Ben and Nicki were so great, and I was able to spend some quality time with them and the grandbabies, Bella and Isaac. Kirk and I are doing the full-time RV thing because we want to travel and be together, so since we weren't able to do that for this assignment, I took a job in Prairie du Chien, WI and gave my 2 weeks notice to Arpin. I was so sad to have to leave the kids, but Prairie had RV campgrounds with full hook ups and monthly sites where Kirk and I could be together. I need to mention that while up by Arpin, I saw 3 black bears, one of which we chased in the truck as he was on the marsh. We also went trolling in the boat on the marsh waters and watched a beautiful sunset.

Adyson stayed with me at Ben and Nicki's while my two girls, her mom and aunt, went to a retreat. She stayed for a week. I took her back to the Minneapolis and spent the weekend with them all. Isaac celebrated his 1st birthday on May 20th. He is just so darn cute!

Kirk and I took the RV on Memorial Day weekend to Illinois to help celebrate Alyssa's (niece) graduation from RN school, Andy's (nephew) graduation from law school, and Karla's (niece) baby shower. What a weekend. We had a great time! While there, we were able to also visit with my sister Elena and her husband Jim, my brother Rudy and his wife, Bev, Angela, my sister, some very good friends Bird and Sherry, and many numerous other family members and friends.

Father's Day weekend, Kirk and I met in Monmouth, after not seeing each other for 3 weeks, for the annual Golf Tournament at Gibson Woods in memory of my brother Bob, who passed away from cancer in 2007. It was a sold-out event with family, friends, storms, and good times. Proceeds from the event went to ICS scholarships.

The next weekend we drove to Gladbrook, Iowa for the Corn Carnival and Kirk's 40th class reunion. Kirk got to ride on the class float in the Corn Carnival parade while I sat with his family, took pictures, and watched the kids pick up candy thrown into the crowd from the parade participants. It's funny how it's called the "corn" carnival, yet the corn isn't ready as it's only June, and what little corn there is comes from Florida or California...weird....and we're in Iowa, corn capital of the world...REALLY? Oh well, it's their party (I'm sure politics plays a part in this somewhere). Anyway, Kirk had a great time at his reunion, and was able to catch up with some old classmates. I had a good time too.

For the 4th of July, Kristy, Robyn, and Ady came to the campground for a few days on their way to Illinois. They also brought Caleb, a very close 4 year old friend of the girls. The weather was pretty much in the 100's while they were here, so trying to keep cool staying inside the RV with the air was cozy! We did swim at the campground pool quite a bit which was mostly standing room only.

Our first weekend here in Prairie, we went to Rossville and had a much awaited prime rib with Bridget and Jason. I used to work with Bridget when I worked in Decorah 10 years ago. She is one of my BFF's! The next day we all went on a boat ride along with their kids Drew and Kinsey, and Stacy (former co-worker) and her daughter, Katie. We had a great day on the river. And the Summer's not over yet!!!