For mama bird, today was 'moving day' but she didn't know it until she was moved! Having a large shrub that was long past its prime and had some sort of blight to the leaves, we decided today was the day to take care of it along with some other landscaping maintenance. Once Cliff started the chainsaw to take down this small tree, mama bird came flying out of there, chirping like crazy! Goodness, what to do? So, Cliff carefully took the nest with four tiny eggs in it, placed it up in the V of the deck post and we hoped for the best. Mama bird must like the new digs, because when we came in from the lake a bit ago, she was settled in her new high rise and seemed to be doing quite fine, thank you very much!

All that's left of the rangy tree-shrub....and mama bird's old home

There's mama, tail up against the deck post and all snuggled in for the night!

Family Ties........

Annette sent 'proof' of a good birthday yesterday with the family going out for a big celebration.  Judging by all the smiles, it was indeed a good day!

Around the table, left to rt:  Deanna & Ben; birthday girl Annette with new grandbaby Maryn; Ann w/niece Jackie; Allen; Dawn; hubby Al; and Sr. Cordy

Memories of that walk down the aisle....

Celebrating another anniversary today are Kevin & Julie (Korkowski) Nelson....it's 23 years for them.  Happy anniversary, you two!

Lauren, Julie, Andrew and Kevin Nelson

Celebrations galore.....

Lots to celebrate today....two birthdays and one anniversary.  Celebrating birthdays today are Annette O'Donnell (#59) as well as Bob Peterson (#59)...

And, celebrating their 17th wedding anniversary are Mike & Brenda (Magnuson) Dupont.

Have a great day all you party people.....

And there were golfers....

Saturday at the Korkowski's Two Inlets weekend meant golfing for some.....

Jim, David, Mark and Triston Korkowski

Cliff and Dennis Korkowski; Ron Magnuson; and Pat Korkowski

Who was there????

These are pictures of some of those attending the camping weekend...unfortunately, not everyone got in a picture, but there will be more to come.

Sr. Cordy and our hostess Cindy

Sisters x 3...Annette, Faye and Theresa

That's host David in the background and Ron in front at the end of the day

Left to rt:  Al O'Donnell, Sr. Cordy and Jennae Stadsvold

Another one for the books.....

Another 'Korkowski Kamp' has ended for 2013, and a good one it was!  The weather was quite cooperative with no rain during our waking/playing hours, and the temperatures were very pleasant.  What was NOT so pleasant were the 10 trillion mosquitoes who also attended!  That being said, thanks to Dave, Cindy and Rachel for hosting us all. And, today we present some of the pictures to come.....

Rachel and her 'shadow' Abby baked this made-from-scratch carrot cake...gone in one second!

Mike showing off his really BIG sunny

Picture doesn't do this bad boy justice...he was big!

Some activities took place inside....anyone care to guess who these bottoms belong to???

Photo op.....

Walking thru the Costco down near Boca Raton last week, Ellie Grace took advantage of having her picture snapped with a visiting author.   Carl Hiaasen was promoting and signing his new book 'Bad Monkey' which is a mystery of sorts taking place in (where else?) the Florida Keys.  She called to tell me about the encounter, and when I asked her if she had read the book, she told me that she hadn't as it was more an 'adult' book (and no, not THAT adult!)  It never hurts to take advantage of a photo opportunity with someone on the way up the ladder, Ellie....

Getting your money's worth.....

One of these lazy, hazy days of summer always brings the desire for something cold and refreshing, and if you want to add gigantic to that craving, just drive over to the Tip Top Dairy Bar in Osakis!  On a quick trip over last weekend to pick up a Father's Day order at the local meat market, we decided to stop in at the little 'fixture' on Osakis' main drag for an ice cream treat.  Noticing a sign on the window, it proclaimed they now have cones featuring Dole fruit and flavors, and the flavor of the day was 'mango'.  Okay, that sounds pretty good....what sizes do you have?  Small, medium and large...and then he asks if I want to see the cone sizes involved. Sure...and after looking at the large size being a rather standard-sized regular cone (one was teensy as in baby size, the medium was a bit bigger) I opted for the large.  And, then....he calls our name at the order pickup window and hands me this!  Are you kidding me???  This is enough ice cream for a small family.  But, I can tell you it was simply delicious...and you know, it is a rather long drive back home...............:)

Anniversaries x 2......

It's double duty today as far as anniversaries are concerned, as we have Bob & Rose Mary Peterson who are celebrating their 34th anniversary.....

Bob & Rose w/grandkids

while a bit further north, we have Seth & Jean (Korkowski) Pfeifer celebrating their 6th anniversary....

Happy anniversary from all of us to all of you!

Birthday greetings........

Nothing like a birthday celebration to make your week, and today it's Joe Majhess (#47) who gets to kick back and relax a bit.  Hope your birthday means a day off with some serious relaxation time as well.  Happy birthday, Joe!

Hello, summer.........

It's finally here.....today is the first day of summer 2013, and it does indeed feel like summer.  We won't complain of the heat and/or humidity, because it was just a mere month ago that we were still freezing and the ice had just left the lakes!  So, enjoy everything summer has to offer...heat, humidity, mosquitoes, etc...just know that it can't last forever............

For the men in the family....

Here are some 'new' definitions of those tools every guy (and some women) are very familiar with.....I think these are probably much more detailed and true!

Extreme sports.....

To a very select few, riding 100+ miles a day on a bike probably seems 'normal', but to this mother, it seems like pure insanity!  Yet, that's exactly what son Paul has been up to this past week...so far...and with what is sure of more to come.  On Sunday, he participated in what he calls his 'favorite' annual bike ride...the "Horribly Hilly Hundred"...and from what he's told us about it in the past, the title tells the whole story.  To follow that day up, he has pedaled 100+ miles for the past few days.  A couch potato he is not...maybe just pedal a few extra miles for me, will you??

Paul and his biking companion, Joe Pahr, after the Horribly Hilly Hundred

Thought provoking.....

Thanks to Theresa for sending these 'pearls of wisdom' my way....something to think about!

You too can be a geisha......

While the 'boys' were up north fishing, Amy, Abby and I polished off our credit cards in Rochester....after all, it was dreary and cool, so what could we do??  At any rate, in an attempt to keep Abby occupied with 'fun' things to do, the BEST investment was this very cheap white (and fairly sturdy) face mask.  You can color or decorate with paint, crayons OR...the best idea, washable markers!  Washable markers?  Yes, because the day after doing one design, you simply take a bit of dish soap on a cloth, rub it over the mask, and voila!...you can do a new design. Genius!  I think every mother should have a stash of these masks in a rainy day cupboard.  This particular one was found at Hobby Lobby but I'm sure most craft stores carry similar things.  Every time I looked at Abby, it made me think of the book I'm currently reading...Memoirs of a Geisha...so it made me smile every time she put it on.  
And, if you're looking for other similar crafty projects, I was amazed at what's out there for kids to do on the cheap.  That crown on her head was another project that truly took hours...and she loved it!  Who knew there was something better than magic markers and craft paper??  All for about $3 each!

A big day all the way around

Today, we salute all the dads in the family, and we have a lot of them!  Make sure to give dad a little TLC today...happy Father's Day, dads!

And, one dad is doubling up by having his birthday as well...Dave Korkowski (#66) should get the royal treatment on this day we think.  Happy birthday, Dave....maybe a hole-in-one today??  On the other hand, you may want to rest up...we hear company's coming next weekend!

Finally, a birthday...............

Another long stretch without any birthdays, but we have a special one today....Erin Korkowski (Joe & Sue) celebrates that most magical of birthdays today, turning 21.  Need we say more?  Celebrating is sure to ensue! Happy birthday, Erin....

Time for the 'stars and stripes'....

Today is Flag Day in the USA....make sure to put out your American flag in tribute to this great country.  And, if you need to replace that old tattered flag, this is the day to go purchase a new one!  To the red, white and blue........

Male bonding.....

The annual trip to Lake of the Woods this past weekend had two 'new' fishermen with Isaac Oxentenko and Adam Korkowski joining Grandpa Cliff, Paul and Alex Korkowski, and Shawn and Evan Oxentenko for what turned out to be a fairly cool, slightly damp, but very successful 'men only' trip.  Looks like some good eating on the menu very soon!

Shawn cashed in on largest catch of the day

Evan, the 'loves to fish' guy!

Adam looks unsure of what to do with that fish!

Checking out the day's catch

Back: Cliff, Shawn, Paul & Alex
Front: Isaac, Evan and Adam

How old in human years????

A member of Dave & Cindy's family celebrated her birthday last week, and it's worth acknowledging here, even though it's a bit past the actual date.  Sophie turned 20 years old, and we're not sure how that equates to human years, but we do know that's 'old'!   She's simply known as 'lovable, furry old Soph'....sort of like that old pair of slippers you love to have around, although she could be a small area rug with that size. :)  Hope she got an extra treat for her big day!

Yeah, it's vacation time!

You know the teachers are officially on vacation when they look this relaxed...and smiling brightly.  Jim P. Kork is looking forward to three months of R&R with what is sure to include some golf, sun and kicking back time.  You are dismissed, Jim!

Remember back then.....

It's been 41 years of marital bliss for Derald & Theresa Krentz as they celebrate their anniversary today.  Can't remember the weather for that particular day but we can probably assume it was much warmer and drier than it's been of late.  Happy anniversary, you two!

King and queen for a day....or at a great party!

Check your calendars....

It's been quite some time since the annual Korkowski 'camping' weekend has been mentioned, so check your calendars to make sure you've got it marked down.  Gathering at Dave & Cindy's in Two Inlets on Friday, June 21. Fish fry on Friday evening, golfing on Saturday for those so inclined, and a roast beef dinner w/mashed taters, etc. on Saturday night.  No 'reservations' are necessary...come for a day, a night or both...but come!  We guarantee you won't go hungry or thirsty...everyone always brings enough food and drink for a small army.  Now, the next thing on your list is to pray for warmer and drier weather!
And, to get you motivated, a few pictures from last year........

Summertime activities.....

If you're a mom with kids at home for the summer...or a grandma whose grandchildren will be visiting...here's a surefire way for them to have fun with very little expense or effort.  Make up a batch of this giant-bubble solution.  Christella has used this recipe and for the 'wand', she used two sticks and two shoe strings.  Watch the third video (top row, left to right) and see what we're talking about when we say 'GIANT bubbles'!! 

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Joy+Soap+bubbles+recipe&qpvt=Joy+Soap+bubbles+recipe&FORM=VDRE

RECIPE FOR GIANT BUBBLES

6 c. water

1 c. corn syrup

2 c. Joy dish soap (any type MAY work)

More end-of-school pictures and news....

"No more teachers, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks!"  Not that any of these kids need to worry about dirty looks.....and, especially Andrew Majhess (Joe & Jennifer Korkowski Majhess) who was selected as "disciple of the year".  For a child that is nicknamed 'the diablo' (devil), he either has the teachers fooled or he behaves very well....and we're guessing it's the good behavior!

Big brother Joseph Majhess wasn't about to let his little brother outshine him, so he took home the award for A honor roll 3 of 4 quarters as well as one for excellence in religion.  (That good Catholic gene is working overtime in the Majhess house!)  Good going, Joseph!

And, look at the smile on this guy....Gavin Nicholas (Bill & Megan Korkowski Nicholas) seems very happy that school vacation is now here and he can enjoy playing outside all day long, every day.  Happy summer, kids!

The last day of first grade for Tyler Stark (Mike & Lisa Krentz Stark)....he's going to be sad to leave his teacher behind, but Tyler, there's another good teacher waiting for you in 2nd grade!

And, lastly, here's what a retired teacher friend had on her Facebook page this week....and I'm willing to bet it speaks for teachers everywhere!