The Big Flood of 2010

The morning Chesney and I left for the airport to head to California, we were forced to take a detour due to flooding across highway 52 north of Pine Island. The river through Pine Island was rising and flooding in the town was surely inevitable. By afternoon the river could no longer be contained and came pouring over its banks into our little town and many little towns around us. Logan was stuck at the school along with many other children when the busses could no longer get out and Duey worked his magic, looked up any road that didn't cross the Zumbro River and bada-bing 3 hours later made it to town to pick up our son (normally a 1 mile drive). It was pretty hard to be in California not being able to do anything but it all worked out. Duey picked up Logan who was at the time at his teachers home all comfy and cosy.
Duey got a few pics of the flooding

Here is the road we normally take to get into town
The water went over the banks of the river, across the road and flooded the school sports fields

Downtown Pine Island

Later that day- the water over the road to our house was gushing even more

The next day after the water had slowed down a bit you could see the edge of the road had been washed away

The sport fields, the debre was all over the fences and they were bending from the weight of it.

The bridge to our house, this picture was taken on Friday but on Thursday the water came just under the bridge, about 10 feet above the normal level.

And this poor little guy was lost. I think with the flooding this little snapping turtle got turned around and ended up under my car on Wednesday. He is huge, he's about 1 1/2 feet long and very snappy, watch your fingers. We put him in a bucket and took him down to the river and he was happy as could be to swim away to his home.

Duey and my brother, Jeff spent Saturday helping one of our neighbors tear out sheetrock and carpet from his basement after it was flooded. We, luckily had no water in our house and were happy to be able to help others instead.

Disneyland.......again

Chesney and I took a little trip to California last week to visit some friends of ours visiting from Australia. It was lovely seeing them again and Chesney loved being able to hang with her best bud- Cooper. We flew out on Thursday morning, spent all day Friday at Disneyland with our friends and then flew back to MN on Saturday. It was a short trip but very enjoyable.

Chesney with Ariella

A visit to Minnie Mouse's house

Cooper and Chesney enjoying a cup of tea in Minnie's kitchen

Breaking out of Goofy's jail

Chesney, Billy, Cooper and Antonia on the teacup ride

If you haven't been to disneyland before, it truly is amazing to experience. There is no place cleaner or friendlier or more magical to visit.

Look at the flowers. They were magnificent and everywhere.

Having been our 4th time to visit Disneyland, I can offically cross it off my list of places I need to go to. But I do suggest you all meander on over for a day of fun.

School Days

Chesney and Logan started at their new school last Friday. They were both really excited to begin and finally meet some new friends. Chesney is in grade 2 and in the same class as her cousin Abby- this has been a great comfort to Chesney. Logan has begun kindergarden and is loving to bring home the work he does each day and show it to me.
They are taking a bus to school each day, which is new to us, as I use to walk them to school each day and pick them up after. I have to say that is the part I miss the most. Chatting with my friends in the morning and afternoon and grabbing a coffee after drop-off.
But at least this way, I can stay in my pj's and shoo the kids out the door as the bus pulls up.
Chesney likes to have her lunches made by me since she is quite picky but Logan thinks it is quite fun to grab a tray and try the meal the school serves up each day.
Here's hoping for a great school year!

On your mark....Get set....Go!!!

It was race day today.

Pine Island was host to a Duathlon this morning.

The race consisted of a 3 mile run 21 mile bike ride 3 mile run

My brother Jeff did the entire race by himself with an impressive time of 2 hours 10 minutes.

I had planned to do the race myself, but as the summer wore on and my training was not where it should be for this kind of race, I began recruting team members.
So I give you The Team
Dawn, Kelly and Ryan

Dawn ran first with a time of about 36 minutes, then she handed the timing chip off to me and I headed off for my 21 mile bike ride. Unfortunately at about mile 5 my tire burst and not having anything on me to fix it, I had to forfit my part of the race and catch a ride back with a support person. But Ryan was still able to run his leg of the race and completed the last 3 miles in about 22 minutes. Very impressive.

Ryan crossing the finish line

Jeff crossing the finish line

It was a beautiful day to be out and perfect conditions for running and biking

The Great Minnesota Get Together

Today we headed out to St Paul to hang out with every other Minnesotan at the State Fair. This is by far the best state celebration anywhere.

And might I say, without my Ausie friends throwing daggers, even better then the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Sorry, its true.

Where else can you milk a pretend cow?

Where else can you eat an abundance of deep-fried cheese curds?

These are the kind of savory treats you fast for days to enjoy.

Where else can you not only pet baby farm animals born just days earlier, but can actually watch them being born live?

Where else can you enjoy walking with the crowds to the next food stall?

Where else can you try Australian Battered Potatoes with sour cream and sweet chili sauce?

Oh wait, i ate them all the time in Australia, and man are they goooooooooood!

Where else can Chesney go on a ride with her cousin?

Or enjoy a ride with her little bro?

Or hang out with butterflies landing all over you?

And they landed everywhere

It really is a great celebration for us to enjoy at the end of the summer. We are glad to be able to enjoy it after being away from it for 6 years.

Norstad/Loyning Family Reunion

This past Sunday we attended a family reunion for my dads side of the family. We had a really nice time catching up with family we haven't seen in years.

My Aunt Deb was so wonderful to have some games for the kids.

Here they are in the egg/spoon race.

Sophie won

And here the kids are in the sack race.

Sophie won that also.

I think she cheats!

Logan and I managed to snag a victory for team Jahnke in the water balloon toss.

Here are the cousins (My dad is back row right side)

Here are the cousins offspring

Thanks for all the work to the planning committee, we had a really great time.

Family wedding fun

This past weekend we had lots to celebrate in the family.

On Saturday we celebrated my cousin, Scott and his new bride, Jessica's wedding. It was so much fun to spend with my family, and if you have ever hung out with the "Tribe of Adeline" you know what kind of fun we can be. We are a blast, a hoot, if you will.

I think it has to do with all the redheads we are producing.

Or perhaps its because we can channel Marilyn Monroe

These two are the exception

The kids sure do know how to party it up on the dance floor

My mom with my grandma- the head of the "tribe"

And believe me- She rules the Tribe with an iron fist.

The shoe to the head injury is always a big highlight

And of course, the Lovely couple- Scott and Jessica