Hey all. Just got back from a much needed and well-deserved vacation to the North land. It was definitely needed this time around. Dropped my wife and son at one of the million lakes in MN, then went to Minot to be with the 'rents. Dad and I fished for three days straight. Where we go is beautiful and very picture-esque. Well, as much as it can be for that area of the country. Which if you are from ND, you can appreciate its beauty...trust me. We go to a place called Graino crossing which is about forty miles northwest of Minot...fairly close to the Canadian border. We shore fish using Norwegian Pike hooks, slip bobber rigs, and frozen smelt. Last Saturday through Monday, Dad and I caught 13 fish...but, see I outfished my Dad 11 to 2. 'Bout time I outfished him. The very first Pike I caught on Saturday morning was at 8:10 AM weighing almost ten pounds. Good fish. We actually ate him that night...after my expert grilling skills were utilized (anything tastes good when it's fried in butter right). Dad and I had some needed father/son bonding time. He and I talk about any and all things I guess. We did talk about the recent resigning episode in my life. He knows what that's like...as it also happened to him. It was good to get his advice and think about my next move. When Dad and I got back on Sunday night, my Mom mentioned that my G-Parents were on their way to Minot from Idaho. They have basically taken the whole month of August and travelled everywhere with their Hi-LO. So, on Tuesday they finally came. That same day, I drove to Penn, ND (actually I sat at the entrance to Penn and waited for my Mother-out-law to bring my wife and child to me from "Tater-town USA") and picked up my wife and child, we then drove back to Minot. Trust me...Highway 2 twice in one day bites. But, it was all worth it.

Wednesday night, Travis and Kari came over with their twins, Phil came up, my sis and her beau were there, along with the rest of us...we had a big 'ole picnic at my 'rents house. It was awesome. Thursday, my wife and I left Minot about 9-ish. Rainy and icky. It rained pretty much all day. It got really interesting in MN, when we were in front of one storm cell and right behind another. The one in front of us was dumping hail, and we knew that as we drove along the interstate and saw the build-up of white along the edge of the road. It was awful. I drove until I could not see anymore and until I was about ready to drop. That was about 9PM! We stayed at the Red Carpet Inn in Osseo WI. Now, the thriving town of Osseo is well, small. This particular place we stayed at, felt empty...I mean the front desk person wasn't really around all the time, the pool in the morning was locked after it should have been opened, the breakfast area was void of any people...we were the only ones there the whole time. It was strange. Anyway, we eventually made it home on Friday morning although, once again we took our time as another storm cell was over Madison as I was thrity miles north of it. So, we avoided that and came home. This was definitely a vacation to think about and be thankful for.

Tonight, Eric and I lead worship for the last time ever. I will playing my trusty Ibanez acoustic as E lends his voice to my harmonies. Should be a good worship time. Although...it is bittersweet. Sunday I preside for the last time as well. I am not really looking forward to this weekend. Not looking foward to seeing certain people and they know who they are. But, I am looking forward to saying goodbye to some awesome people. It will be very surreal...I am sure. But, something to look forward to. Sunday, my wife, son, and I are going to a travelling Thomas the Tank Engine show. They have a full size replica of Thomas that actually runs...so we will take a train ride, and have some fun with my son who is uh, hmmmmm, how can I say this, OBSESSED with Thomas! Can there be anything more awesome than seeing your child freak out when he sees the Thomas show for the one-billionth time? I don't think so. More later...