4,3,2,1...

(Editor's Note:  This was written two days ago and is just now published due to Tim's lack of technological prowess...:)

Four days.  That is how long we have to get ourselves packed, get the rest of our stuff put away, and see the last of our family and friends that we haven't yet been able to meet up with yet.  And yet the whole thing still feels like it is totally the right direction and the right thing to be doing.

Our adventures as of late have taken us to Osceola, WI, Marathon, WI, Mankato, MN and Madison, WI with a few stops in River Falls in between.  We first had to say goodbye to our good friend Laura as she got ready to leave for a big vacation out west.  It was such a fun evening with her and her family, including all of the farm animals.
Family time was a priority in Marathon, spending good time and laughs with Tim's cousins, aunts and uncles and his grandma one more time.  Christine even made some friends with the holstein calfs at Twin-B-Dairy :)  We are wishing everyone over there lots of rain and a break from the hot temperatures.

Laura, Christine, and Tim

Christine and her new friend:)

Highlights of our time in Mankato included a Moondogs game (last one of the season for us!!), some swimming, catching the new Batman movie, and spending time just hanging out with family (and puppy) there.  On Saturday we hit the road early to go to the free yoga class at the Mall of America Lululemon store.  Afterwards we met up with Jess and Joe and saw their beautiful new home before coming back for a great dinner party they hosted later that night.  

Jim, our tour guide extraordinaire!

On Sunday, we went south to Madison to spend some time with Jim and Tom.  Stop one was the Wollersheim Winery in Prairie du Sac, where Jim is a tour guide (and quite an exceptional one too!)  Then we enjoyed a nice dinner at the Essen House in Madison before hanging out the rest of the night. On Monday morning we met up with Jim again and went to the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison.  We even got to ride the Choo-Choo!!:)

Dinner at the Essen Haus.

Tim and Christine at Wollersheim Winery.

And now we are packing and prepping.  We still have a day of friend hang out time and one more trip to Mankato to say one more round of goodbyes.  Throughout the whole preparation process, both Christine and I have felt so lucky to have such wonderful and supportive family and friends.  You guys all rock!!!

Up next, Hong Kong!