The Summer of 2015 Part 1

For months I've been anticipating the activities of The Summer of 2015 and now they are mostly history and I'm enjoying the memories.  There have been so many momentous occasions that I will post in segments.

Leaving the heat of Niamey on July 13 was soooo welcome. Leaving Tom there for a couple more weeks was not so nice.  My first stop was in Paris where I met up with Melissa and Joel.  Melissa and I were continuing to the States together but first we got to celebrate Bastille Day in Paris touring the gardens at Versailles.  Lovely. Huge. We walked for hours.  Amazing fountains and sculptures. 

Melissa and I flew together to Kansas, starting the first of many "to-do" lists.

But before too much serious work was done, we had a Girl's Weekend in Kansas City, planned by Lindsay and Erika.  Lots of laughing, talking and other activities made the hours fly by.

The next week Tom arrived and we made a quick trip to Bird City to visit Mom.  It coincided with Bird City's annual Thresher Show, which meant visiting with lots of friends and seeing the old style farming.

Uncle Normie demonstrated the old threshing machine.

Pleasant memories came crowding back when Tom climbed up on this tractor that he used to drive...not that long ago! 

The next weekend found us in Minneapolis for a get-away weekend with Andrew.  Lindsay came along and we were treated to an incredible stay in a lodge in Two Harbors.  It was a bit chilly for these "Africans", but the fresh, cool air was rejuvenating.

Andrew's favorite game from years gone by.  If you've never played it, you are missing out!  

The mornings contest:  "Who can keep their feet in the icy water for 1 minute?"

What was so painfully cold for Tom and Lindsay, was apparently not the same for Ando! 

In between the travels the pre-wedding work was moving right along.  Next post:  Pre-Wedding!