Land of 10,000 Lakes

Ever since elementary school, I've fantasized about Minnesota. Reading the Kirsten American Girl books piqued my interest in the Swedish settlements, Swedish culture, and the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Even that title just sounds wildly exciting and adventurous to me. Mystical. 

We stopped in Minnesota on the way to Wisconsin to visit our Grandpa Dodds, a dear, sweet man who established a mutual "family" with Shad 10 years ago. We were excited to see him, but not nearly as excited as he was to see us. His daughter, Stephanie, who he lives with, said that when she told him we were coming, he just started giggling with delight. He spent the few weeks preceding our arrival smiling more than he had in months, and giggling spontaneously. That right there made it all worth it to me. Actually seeing him was just an added bonus.

When we pulled up at Stephanie's house, her brother Dale had raked a pile of leaves. He figured that we'd probably be excited to play in leaves, coming from Kansas. Oh, how right he was!

Katie's favorite thing to do is sweep, so raking just tickled her fancy!

Until the boys ruined her lovely piles. I had to convince her that this was okay. (This boy is Owen, Dale and Kirsten's son. I didn't get pictures of them. Dale is Grandpa Dodd's son.)

Dancy would only stomp through the piles. No jumping and playing for her.

Our kids took to Grandpa Dodds quickly, asking him to read books, help with shoes, or cuddle during Phineas and Ferb.

Did I mention Katie loves to sweep? She asked for a rake any chance she got.

Again with the sweeping!

Katie wasn't overly thrilled with the destruction of her leaf pile, but we made her join in the leaf fight. She and I teamed up against Tommy and Dancy.

Inside, Samson had fun teasing the cats.

After having a Sophia the First and popcorn night, we said goodbye to Stephanie in case we didn't see her in the morning before we left. Thora might have already gone to bed.

Saying goodbye...with vicious sunglare in our eyes! Thora, Megan, Don Dodds, Shad and Samson / front: Tommy, Dancy, Katie

Stephanie, Thora, Don, Shad and Samson / front: Tommy and Emma (the two-year-old Stephanie nannies), Dancy and Katie

Gorgeous vines with fall colors, covering the interstate walls.

Southeastern corner of Minnesota, almost to Wisconsin.

One last lake! I didn't get to see enough of what I think of as Minnesota (apparently I have to go farther north in quest of that), so I will be back some day.

Crossing the Mississippi River into Wisconsin.