Aaahh Minnesota...

Not sure why it's taken me so long to blog again. Part of it has to do with the awkwardness of how to blog about my Dad's death. But I'm guessing most of you probably already know that he died, so maybe it's not that awkward after all.

The boys and I left for Minnesota on May 28th. I spent most of my time with Dad, it seemed almost daily his strength decreased. We spent the weekdays in Roseville and weekends in Mora. We had birthday parties and picnics with long time friends. June 14th we went up to Orr, MN for a family vacation along with my brother's wifes family, a trip Dad had been looking forward to for nearly a year. Dad really wasn't strong enough to go, but we didn't dare suggest that we not go. The first morning we were there we had to call the ambulance because Dad was in such pain and we couldn't seem to help. Later that day we found out he had a raging infection and the Dr. said he thought it would only be a few days. He died in the hospital on June 16th at about 8pm. I am so thankful for God allowing me to spend three weeks with my Dad before he died, and that I could be with Mom and the family for a week and a half after his death. I miss my daily talks with Dad on the phone (sometimes several times a day) and each time I see an airplane fly by, I think of him. But what peace and joy it brings to think that my Daddy is strong again and dancing with Jesus.

The boys had a lot of fun playing with their cousins. The Ostrom cousins... Julia, Karina and Joy (left to right - Sophia is too young to be playing out in the dirt.)


...and the Lefto cousins were all together since Jody, Amelia and Gaeron were here from Pennsylvania. L to R, starting in the back... Olivia, Audrey, Kelsey, Gaeron, Steven; E, Amelia, Whitney, Abbey, Ryan; A, J, Ryley and Peri. (Note how the boys kind of bookended the girls. I thought it was cute.)

The Science Mueseum of Minnesota was hosting a Star Wars... uummmm... thing. And Justin and the boys went with Grandpa Gord and Uncle Jeff and his boys. The boys absolutely loved it, Justin thought it was the lamest thing ever.



And the boys FINALLY got their hair cut. Lindsay from Justin's work used to do hair and I found out about it. It's fun to actually be able to see Asher and Jakin's eyes when I talk to them!! Eli doesn't look too happy here, but he was more excited for Miss Lindsay to cut his hair than he ever is when I do it. Be looking for pictures of their new "do's" in upcoming posts.