October 2011
We learned Reed and Mollie would not be able to come to North Dakota before Christmas because Reed was scheduled for leadership training at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. And after last year's debacle, we could hardly blame them if they were not excited about traveling here over the Christmas holidays. We wanted to deliver a cradle I made for Reed 30 years ago so we loaded it in the first SUV we've ever owned and headed to Kentucky. We left after work on a Tuesday and drove through the Twin Cities and into Wisconsin until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. The next morning, we drove to Madison where we met Aaron Dopp for the first time.
Aaron is a premie and was in his last week at the hospital. By the time you read this, he is home with mom and dad. After a couple of hours at the hospital, we drove hard and long through rain until we arrived at Fort Knox.
Reed and Mollie have a nice home in what could be the suburbs of any city, judging from appearances. However, it is on base so Reed can come home for lunch each day. Sweet.
Mollie shows off some of Connor's future wardrobe.
Reed and I put together a red wagon Pam purchased at the silent auction for the Hunting Dakota With Roosevelt event we attended earlier in the month.
On Friday night, Brent, Andrea, Ella, and Casen came to visit from Tennessee.
Casen was trying out the new [old] Nintendo machine Reed bought. I thoroughly enjoyed the Legreid kids.
Ella, bright and sometimes dramatic, can carry on a conversation with anyone. Casen is all boy and filled me in on his alter ego, Chuggaman. Chuggaman has all the superpowers one could imagine and none of the weaknesses found in other superheroes. He is assisted by Chuggawoman, Chuggagirl, and Chuggaboy. I have Casen's drawing of the Chugga family as proof of their efforts to protect mankind.
Brent, Andrea, Ella, and Casen. Check out Chuggaman's costume, the "Cloak of Visibility." Vanquishing Voldemort should be no problem. We left Kentucky on Saturday and drove back to Madison where the Dopps were our gracious hosts.
Grandma Linda helped out with Krista while J.D. was at work and Anna was at the hospital. We headed back to Minnesnowta for the border battle between the beloved Green Bay Packers and the Vikings.
On to the game.