Happiness is ... spending time with family

The gang was all here for Labor Day and it was truly a phenomenal time.  Andrew and Tamar flew in from LA and Emilee and Austin drove up from their colleges. Ali and Brad joined us Sunday night for a bonfire. The days were filled with activities to physically wear us out while the nights brought us together in subjective conversations around the campfire or dinner table. We taught Meema, Rick's mom, a few new things; how to play 'Cards Against Humanity" and how to ride a jet ski. She reciprocated by teaching us how to draw our blood and test our blood sugar. Thank goodness no surprises, we all were within normal ranges. Emilee and Austin shared their study aboard presentation with us Saturday night. It was so much fun to listen to all the kids talking about their travel experiences. Rick and I really need to get to Europe! We rented a jet ski on Sunday which provided a day filled with excitement. Austin and Andrew were quite the experts weaving back and forth and jumping waves. The highlight on the water for me was when Austin pulled Emilee and I in a new tube. The way he pulled us thru the wake and whipped us around made us laugh so hard we couldn't breath. Funny thing is when we first got on the tube they asked if we wanted our beverages. We thought it was going to be a relaxing cocktail cruise.

Wendie

"Hot Summer Nights" for What4

The What4 group was able to switch back to their July weekend this year and loved the 90 degree weather. One night the sky gave us an unbelievable strobe light show caused by continuous heat lighting.  Most of the weekend was nice and slow, relaxing in the shade, playing cards and talking. No big pull-tab, scratch off or Powerball wins this time but Tracy did think for a minute, I had a 1000.00 winner. The Frogger scratch offs are even getting hard for the young one to read. I wonder if you can get them in Large Font.  When Tara and I went to town we found the perfect place for Tracy's old swimming suits. Oh wait, they would have to have elastic for DAV to take them. I guess the garbage is the best place. We hope to see her in something new next year. On the way home we thought after 12 years we should finally get our picture taken in front of the famous Mille Lacs Walley.

Wendie

Sun, Fun and Girls, Girls, Girls

This 4th of July Corona felt a little like a sorority get together.  Rick was out numbered by 8 at one point, if you count our dogs Lewcie and Hazel. The long weekend gave us plenty of time for catching up on the latest news along with puzzles, bad-mitten, boating and late night bonfires. On Sunday we were all excited to watch our neighbors, across the bay, light off one of the best firework displays we have seen. Emilee and I bought some fireworks in Sioux Falls. We had to find some that didn't make a loud noise that would scare the dogs. The "Bee's" turned out to be our favorite, even if they were a little scary because you never knew after lighting them, where they were going to zing off to. Emilee and Madeline, Alpha Xi sisters, had fun all weekend taking various pictures of their XI symbol. Allison baked some amazing homemade peach filled cinnamon rolls while her friend Aliza enjoyed herself reading on the beach. Rick and I stayed up a few extra days and enjoyed the quiet after a busy weekend.

Wendie

Father, Daughter weekend

Happy Father's Day! This weekend brought back a lot of memories of my dad, spending time fishing on Ossawinnamakee or just hanging out watching the boats on the lake, from the deck at Harmony Point. Emilee and Rick spent some quality time together boating, playing games and sharing a love of photography. My gift to both of them was finding multiple patches of rare pink Lady Slippers in our woods. I waited until Father's Day to reveal them and then sat back and watched as they held a photo shoot in the woods. Each showing off their own unique styles. The weather was beautifully hot this weekend which made the 65 degree lake temp feel refreshing.

Wendie

Ready for Summer 2016

Rick and I spent last weekend getting Corona ready for summer fun. The weather was spectacular and since the boat wasn't due to be put in until this week, we had plenty of time to work and play without feeling the pull to be on the lake. On the way up the alternator in our van died so we also had to stay an extra day waiting for a mechanic, poor us. We worked on all kinds of painting, landscape and cleaning projects while paying tribute to our Purple Prince by listening to his music all weekend. We especially love the new bench we placed on the end of the dock for cozying up and watching sunsets.

 

Warmer weather ahead...

It's starting to feel like it may never warm up in Minnesota. We had our hopes set high this year with Punxsutawney Phil not seeing his shadow (or biting anyone) and a 70 degree day in March. Now here it is almost the middle of April and it's cold and snowy. We woke up at the Lodge to 2" of fresh snow and the lake frozen over again on Saturday. I didn't mind being stuck inside because I was watching the "Abbey Road" webcam in London for Emilee, Emma and Austin to make their appearance. Mary and Tracy both found new pals this weekend that had very big feet. Daphne and Stella the Great Danes from down the road came to run and play in our large front yard. A neighbor across the bay put his dock in on Sunday before we left which gives me hope warmer weather is around the corner.

Wendie

Emilee, Emma, Austin and a stranger crossing Abbey Road in London

Mary giving Daphne and Stella a treat

Tracy giving Daphne a kiss.

Easter Blessings

The Ulkus had a wonderful weekend celebrating Easter. Rick's mother Jeri joined us for the weekend and it was so nice to catch up and relax together. She enjoyed sitting in the corner chair by the fireplace reading and occasionally napping. She had recently returned from a trip out west visiting Rick's older sister Gail, so it was nice to relax.We attended a upbeat Easter service at Timberwood Church on Saturday night which allowed us to go to Antlers in Breezy Point on Sunday for their Easter brunch. Jeri's family tradition of dying eggs in beet juice proved to be interesting. They were definitely pretty but I wouldn't say edible. Emilee and Austin were spending Easter in Austria since they are both studying aboard in Italy this semester and Andrew was celebrating in LA. As much as we missed all the kids we cherish the quality time we had with Jeri.

It's good to be home!

Even though it got as cold as 20 below  over Presidents Day weekend, neither the cold nor the snow stopped us from having a great dad/daughters long weekend getaway at Corona Lodge. We made great use of the wonderful fireplace where we cozied up for hours of Monopoly and other board games. We ventured over to PrimeTime, by Breezy Point, for a fun afternoon of tubing and enjoyed visiting other area sites. We were want for nothing on this trip because the home was so wonderfully furnished. Every time we returned to Corona Lodge the girls exclaimed "It's good to be home".

Jeff Houdek