Here's To Life!

Paul and I went to Cape Cod over a long weekend in January.  Flew out on Friday and took a drive in Falmouth around the beach and stopped at Nobska Lighthouse.  Love seeing the water meet the land.  Did a little late Christmas shopping - bought Mom a suitcase for all her travels this year.  Also helped her buy a new laptop computer.  Went to see the movie "Brooklyn" which we both enjoyed and had a nice dinner at the Villaggio at the Regatta Restaurant in Cotuit, Saturday night.  Sunday was church and lunch afterwards.  A couple visits with Aunt Carolyn and the weekend was soon over.  Nice break and a good way to start 2016.

Had a pleasant 24 hours in Rock Island - celebrating Marilyn's 90th birthday.  Paul, John, Sasha and I, as well as Tater and Clancy drove in one car, Kristin, Scott and Yumi came in another car.  We got to Rock Island early afternoon so had a chance to talk to Marilyn - John and Sasha showed her their pictures from their trip to China this past summer.  Chris, Marla and Mary Ellen (Marla's mother) arrived mid-afternoon so we chatted for a bit.  Logan, Jamie, Jake and Erica got there soon after that.  We made pizzas for supper - actually Chris and Marla made most of the pizzas - which were all very good.  The kids got along, played some games and everyone enjoyed themselves.  Sang happy birthday and had cake.  Marilyn was happy to have us all there.  A successful evening.  Kids slept at Marilyn's, Paul and I slept in a motel.  Came back mid-morning to have breakfast.  Kristin and Scott got going shortly after that.  John ...

The Christmas season just passed has been a very pleasant one.  I'm sorry to see it end.  We began on December 20th with a trip to the Auditorium Theater to see The Nutcracker with John and Sasha and members of Sasha's family.  Sasha's sister, Sophia, was dancing the part of the gingerbread doll.  We all enjoyed the performance and dinner afterwards at a Chinese restaurant in the UIC area.  During the week I finished my Christmas preparations and helped on Monday with the kids' practice for the family worship service on Christmas eve.  I had a chance to walk with my friend, Patty, on Tuesday, and enjoy coffee and cookies at her house afterwards.  Christmas eve day Kristin and I had lunch and finished up some last minute grocery shopping.  Picked Paul up from the train at about 4 and headed to church for the family Christmas eve worship service.  The kids all did a great job.  Paul and I had dinner afterwards at an Argentine steak house...

Christmas Greetings from the Frosts!   Click on the above link and view in full screen (works best).  Hover over the cameras for pictures and the holly berries for greetings!

Had a nice four day weekend trip to Minneapolis, MN in October.   Left on Friday morning and headed to northern Wisconsin - to check out some land owned by two Nystrand brothers - cousin of my Grandma Laurina Nystrand Swanson.  Found the graves of one brother and his wife in Ladysmith, Wisconsin - Fred Nystrand and his wife Inga.  Then we found the approximate site of the land they owned just south of Hawkins, Wisconsin. Fred and Inga Nystrand's graves Headed to Minneapolis after that - to our hotel for the weekend.  Checked in and headed to the closest restaurant (next door) for dinner.  Saturday we headed out to Fort Snelling - a fort built to protect against Indian attacks.  Very interesting visit - there were many costumed interpreters, a cannon shooting display and a musketry drill.  Learned that Dred Scott lived at Fort Snelling in the 1850s with his master, Dr. Emerson.  Also spoke with a woman from the Dakota tribe regarding Indi...

Labor Day marks the end of summer.  Since school started last week - the end of summer for me came last weekend.  However, this Saturday we did take a summer day trip - to spend some time by the water.  We drove to Winthrop Harbor and Illinois Beach State Park.  Walked along Lake Michigan - took some pictures and watched the people headed for the beach.  It wasn't as crowded as I thought it might be.  It was definitely cooler feeling by the lake.  Next we headed to Lake Geneva where we ate lunch at Popeye's where we could look at the water as we were eating.  Walked along the lakefront there, checked out some other restaurants and then wandered back to the car. Sunday I went to church - where I ended up playing the piano for worship (one hand, one note).  Kristin came in the afternoon to do laundry.  Paul and I started our pursuit of re-furnishing our living room.  We stopped at the carpet store and looked at colors and types...