Sunday was lots of fun: First I went to church with Paul and his whole family including 6 kids, his wife, Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Lee, Walter and Uncle S.L. I had fun singing and there was a sermon on faith that I liked even though it was a little hard to pay attention because I was kind of tired.
After church a bunch of us floated down the Crow Wing River on tubes and inflatable rafts. Heather set the whole thing up and it was nice to see her for the first time this visit. Isaac joined us with his family too. We had lots of fun and all the little kids were surprisingly amiable.
Kaitlyn (anyone know the correct spelling?)
Malachi
I didn't want to damage my camera, but imagine a mellow river banked by lush green, winding its way south. I did have my camera with me while riding in Heather's pick-up afterward, and she offered to stop when I got super excited about seeing a pair of sandhill cranes. I am so pleased with the zoom on my new camera! I think sandhill cranes are my favorite birds and this was the best in person viewing I can remember. They seem magical to me with their enormous delicate frames (wingspan up to 8 feet!), curious eyes, and strangest of rolling R calls.
This may be a young one, though it was large, because what I read online said they are brown until they become adults and then turn more greyish. They always have that tell-tale red on top of their heads though.
I saw these at the same place as the cranes. Heather says they are Turk's Cap lilies and what I looked up online seems to confirm.
When the tubes were deflated and our soggy bodies were loaded up, we all headed over to Aunt Lee and Uncle Ronnie's house for supper. They had a delicious spread including pot-luck dishes from the attendees. There was a really nice gentle wind blowing after dinner, so kites came out and kids of all ages went to the freshly mowed hay field to play. I was a bit disappointed I didn't bring my new kite. It's always in my car but I didn't realize I'd have a chance to use it when I rode out with Paul after church. Luckily it's breezy often here so I'll test drive it in the near future.
Hannah
Caleb
Ethan
Sarah with Caleb
Rachel with the prettiest kite of the day
Uncle Ronnie
It's impressive that Paul can still run with the dogs like this because in dog years, he's 266.
Three generations of typical Burnses: Isaac, Uncle Ronnie and Malachi working when they should be playing
By the time the kites were reeled in, I felt quite drowsy and mellow, but never too tired for a game of 42. Competition was fierce; Uncle Ronnie and I were up 5 to 2, I think, but Paul and Isaac came back for a 7 to 6 win. It was a perfect end to a really nice day with the family.
It's "Katlyn".
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