St. Cloud and Pelican Lake

Chris met Bill Eickhoff when they were taking a class back in Phoenix maybe a year or so ago. When Bill found out we were coming up to MN, he said to let him know when we got there.
So we did!
Bill and his wife Amy then got to work and managed to get us all kinds of furniture that we needed for the appartment. Then they invited us up to their house for the weekend.
It was great to see more of MN (by the way English folks MN is Minnesota) in the AUTUMN ( that's Fall, American folks!) because its absolutely stunning. Much as we love Phoenix, we've missed seeing the seasons.
Anyway we all had a great time hanging out with the Eickhoffs at their wonderful home. The Mississippi River weaved past at the bottom of the garden.

the Mississippi River at about 6am.I guess it just looks like a lot of water, but I liked it!

I loved just standing outside, enjoying the space.

We also spent an afternoon up at a family home on Pelican Lake. The Eickhoffs were disappointed for us that the day was overcast. But after the ever scorching Phoenix sun, this was a treat!

this started out as a very innocent game of football (soccer)

Tia and Zoe had a great time, running (crawling in Zoe's case) around, playing with the kids (officially fabulous children). So much so that it I didn't want to interupt by taking pictures of everone! And as far as Tia is concerned, any family that has a dog, fish, and a copy of the Wiggles is totally the place to be!