WELCOME SUNSHINE!

This week had many highlights so I'll start with today and work backwards.

I began the day quite early as I was attempting to track Todd's progress in his first marathon on the Oslo maraton website. I wasn't the only disappointed one as there was nothing "live" until the race was complete. So back to bed I went and got up again shortly after six. Todd made a quick call on his cell just after 6:30 to let us know that he had crossed the finish line about five minutes earlier. His time was 3 hours, 58 minutes and 38 seconds so he had reached his goal - under four hours. I can't imagine running that long, even along the Oslo waterfront! He said the last half hour was the toughest part so finishing took lots of effort. Kristy's presence, as well as friends there from Lillehammer and support from family and friends who were keeping him in our thoughts and prayers, helped him accomplish his dream. Well done, Todd. We are proud of you for sticking to a training schedule and not giving up!

Tomorrow is Todd and Kristy's 7th anniversary. They celebrated yesterday by going to the Oslo opera house (operahuset) and enjoying the premiere performance of "Four Seasons", music

by Vivaldi performed by the Norwegian National Ballet. It will be hard to top that anniversary gift, Todd!

Dan and Helga Ledene, Kristy's parents, were overnight guests on Saturday. We went to the 8:30 service at Trinity this morning, followed by a good visit over coffee and cookies in the church kitchen. After lunch they were off to Powers Lake, ND to look up members of the Ledene family that Dan was anxious to meet. Kevin and Lorna Carlson at Battleview are good friends with a Ledene family in Powers Lake so their first stop was the Carlson farm. Dan's dad was born in Bowbells, ND and a great grandmother is buried in that district. Dan and Helga are looking forward to their first visit to Host Fest in Minot. If they aren't played out after that, they may continue on to the Black Hills. It is great to see them enjoying their retirement after years of being tied down to their irrigation business.

On Wednesday we took Clare, Jodi and Abbey out for supper to the Town and Country cafe in Weyburn. Clare was 40 that day and Jodi caught up to him on Friday. Friends and family gathered at their home to celebrate with both of them that evening. Rider gifts were the order of the day. Maybe we'll get some pictures of Jodi's Rider jersey with a big 40, a neat gift from Clare and Abbey. It doesn't seem that long since we were in our forties and now our kids are getting there.

It's great to have the sunshine back! Today the thermometer reached 29.4 degrees C with a breeze, perfect harvest weather. Kirk and Carter came out this morning and the crew should be showing up for supper before too long. It's nice to have leftover meatballs, mashed potatoes and corn from last night's supper, plus a pumpkin pie for dessert.

Tomorrow evening we will be heading for Lampman as Kirk and Shauna are flying to Halifax on Tuesday morning until Sunday, courtesy of Dupont. This is Kirk's reward for good salesmanship. We'll bring the kids to the farm on Friday. It should be a great time of the year to visit eastern Canada with the beautiful colours of fall. Tomorrow I'll make some pizzas and other goodies to leave for the harvesters.

I almost forgot my quilt top tally - I'm up to three done now and am thinking of taking my sewing machine along to Lampman, along with a pile of 12 inch blocks. I'll let you know the outcome next week!

I'll sign off for now and hope to add more pictures later in the week. Have a great one.