Catching Up, Once Again

Boy, this month went fast!  I guess that is what happens when you stay busy.  We had a great visit with Lance's parents and brother.  The girls, of course, were spoiled with attention and treats.  The weather was perfect, so we were able to spend time outside and at local parks.  Since then, we have just been enjoying our normal routine and trying to find new parks to explore.  Lance is still traveling a lot.  In fact, he was in Woodburn, OR last week and had an interview for a position opening up there.  Lance was asked to apply by some of his superiors, and it would be a great opportunity.  I think we both have mixed feelings about such a big move and are anxious to see what happens.  Decisions should be made next month, so stay tuned.  We made a quick trip to Duluth last week while Lance was in Oregon and enjoyed playing in the water and going on a boat ride.  We tried camping with the girls for the first time this past weekend, but we ended up making it into a day trip instead.  The mosquitos were horrible and storms were coming through.  We had rented a camper cabin (a single-room building with just bunk beds and a picnic table) so we at least weren't confined to a tent.  The girls had their first experience with roasting marshmallows, which they enjoyed.  We also managed to take a short walk along Kettle River, which was really beautiful.  We are facing quite the challenge trying to get the girls outside lately.  They have developed a crazy fear of bugs.  They freak out whenever they see or hear anything that could possibly resemble any sort of insect.  We are talking screaming bloody murder and trembling.  We have tried various approaches to handle these reactions, but nothing seems to be working.  It is getting rather exhausting and frustrating.  Beautiful days weather-wise are cherished around here, so it is a bummer that we are spending them indoors lately.  It has been an issue for us since spring, but it seems to have escalated the last couple of weeks.  The girls and I are heading back up to Duluth this weekend while Lance and my Dad work on sheetrocking our basement.  I am so excited to have a finished basement!  Well, I guess that just about catches us up.  I should have some pictures posted soon.