This is why we live at the lake.......

This past weekend is why we live at the lake............
Friday, Joel brought Chase & Michael up on his way home from work. So Jonathan was excited to hang with his SSP friends. They must have some major catching up to do because they didn't go to bed until 5:30 am on Saturday morning. Boy.....I sure do remember those days, but I think my days involved alcohol!
Saturday we had a couple of errands to run in Rice Lake but we were back way in time to get out on the boat. While the boys jet skied, swam & tossed the football around, Joel & I hung out with some new friends with a couple cocktails. After a full day of fun & sun........we headed back to the house to get cleaned up & have dinner. Once again Joel & I were long in bed before the boys.
Sunday the boys slept in and breakfast turned into brunch. Jonathan's favorite in the whole wide world.......Egg slop. Once brunch was over, it was time for the boys to go home. Arrangements had been made for Chase's parents to meet at the Wal*Mart at exit 41 which is only about a 45 min-1 hr drive for Jonathan. While he was gone Joel & I decided to load up the boat to go on a cocktail cruise. It was an absolute beautiful day. It is amazing how we can turn a little cruise into a 5 hr trip. We ended the day & weekend with a trip to Rice Lake for a little Chinese :)
This upcoming week will be busy at the Waage house in preparation for a house full of guests for 4th of July celebration. Hope everyone's holiday is full excitement, hanging with friends/loved one and of course....safe.

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Joel, Amy & Jonathan

Not a 100% Boatin Weekend, but it works

Jonathan, Big Joe & I all had a bet Friday on what time Joel would get home "early". As you see, since moving to the lake, Joel NEVER gets off early like he used to. So he told us during dinner Wednesday night that his boss said he should come in late on Thursday morning, Joel said "Nope, I am leaving early on Friday!" Yea.....right. The family has heard that before. His idea of early is coming in the door 10 minutes earlier than he normally does. So when we heard this, we all decided to place our bets. The stacks were high......1st person that lost the bet was going to have to cook dinner and the 2nd loser was going to have to clean the kitchen after dinner. So I chose 5:15 pm as my time, Big Joe chose 6:00 pm & Jonathan had the most confidence in him & chose 6:30 pm. His normal arrival time is 7:15 pm. I was the winner when he actually arrived at 4:34 pm!!!! Holy Crap!!! We didn't even get to enjoy it because this was a rarity. I had a conversation that afternoon with Sheldon, who was on his way to get his lunch of Chinese food, so throughout the whole day I have Chinese stuck in my brain. So off to Rice Lake we went for Chinese Food. Turned in early thinking it was going to be a beautiful Saturday for boating.

Boy, were we sure wrong.........we were all set with lunch, boat food & beverages to go boating. We waited & we waited.......and waited for the clouds to blow away and get some good old fashion sunshine. Finally around 1:30 pm Joel, Jack, Lilly & myself hopped onto the old party barge loaded with sweatshirts, towels & blankets. Once we got over to Pokegama the wind died down & we actually were able to enjoy ourselves. We had a good ole crawl down the shore line. Went through the draw & once we came out to Prairie it was very nice & the sun came out! Went up to Lion's Den & putted our way home around 6:30 pm. Had dinner, watched a couple of hilarious movies and headed to bed.

On father's day, Joel celebrated his day by working on completing the laundry room. By early afternoon we were ready to go out on the boat, but some unexpected news put him in a crabby mood, he decided to continue to working for awhile. Eventually we made it out on the boat for a relaxing ride & time to reflect on friendships & who really are our friends.........

Hope all the Dad's had a fabulous Father's Day with their children & family doing what they all enjoy doing together......

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Joel, Amy & Jonathan

We took Minneaplis by surprise!

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday of last week was pretty much uneventful with Joel up in Superior, WI working. With Jonathan & I having a emotional day with Daniel leaving, we decided to meet Joel at Casa Mexicana in Rice Lake for some dinner. While at dinner Jonathan asked to go back to Mpls on Saturday. Once we got home, Joel & I made hotel reservations and the plan was in motion.

We took off around 11:30am & dropped Jonathan off at Derrick's for an all niter gaming session at 1:30 pm. We made a stops at SSP dog park, Famous Footwear, Wal*Mart, Petco & Sprint then made out way over to visit Rita. Joel had loaded the netbook with all 506 pictures from the grad party/3rd annual to share with her. Couple hours later we left for our next destination of visiting with John Young in his new room at the nursing home. Last month he was moved from the the 2nd floor which was the Alzheimer's floor with no privileges (because it was the only floor that had an available room) to the 3rd floor with lots of privileges. He now is able to come & go as he pleases throughout the grounds. The nursing home has a beautiful flower garden with a waterfall and nice seating for visiting, but unfortunately......it was raining. Imagine that!

Once we left John's we realized we didn't have a dinner date scheduled with any of our friends because everyone was busy. That is the one sucky part of a impromptu visit, everyone isn't just sitting around for you to come into town to have dinner......LOL. So we had a nice dinner for 2. We stopped off at the liquor store to pick up some beer for Joel & a bottle of wine to bring to Sheldon's house. Then off to check into the hotel and let Jack & Lilly run around the room while waiting for Sheldon to complete his prior obligations. There was a change in plans and he was able to have Shea overnight......so we were unable to go see his new house. Maybe next time?

Sunday we awoke to more rain....... Got cleaned up and headed out to go pickup Jonathan. Next stop was Grandma Waage's house to pick her up for some breakfast. After visiting we needed to head out for home to start getting Joel ready to go to Superior/Duluth once again. Once home, we decided to take a cocktail cruise over to Pam & Steve's to drop off a hops plant that we had picked up while we were in Mpls. So we hung out & visited for a couple hours before deciding we best get our butt's home.

This week appears to be another quiet one with Joel out of town until Wednesday evening. The upcoming weekend has nobody scheduled up, so unless we get the last minute call to come up.........it's just us and hopefully a trip or two to the island.

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Joel, Amy & Jonathan

Today was the day we never wanted to come

Today was a sad day in the Waage house...........we needed to say goodbye to Daniel.
After being glued to each other for 10 months, it was like Jonathan cut off his right arm when he had to say good bye. I know in my heart that those two will ALWAYS have a brotherly bond and WILL be together again.
Daniel has one more year of school once he gets back home and it would be very special if Jonathan could be in Norway next year when he does graduate from his high school. I told him to get saving...........
Daniel going through security........on his way home!

Daniel,
Who is going to eat all those "Amazing" stuff mushrooms at the chinese buffet? How is the Rice Lake economy going to survive without you here to shop? Who is going to pay for Jonathan's therapy sessions for separation anxieties? Who is going to keep Jonathan in line? Or size up a new girlfriend?.......Just kidding.
Daniel we are going to miss you terribly. You touched the lives of a lot of people whether directly or indirectly. Your infectious smile & giggle will be sadly missed.
Please stay in touch........Love you, Your American Mom & Dad


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Joel, Amy & Jonathan

A Quiet Weekend

After the wildness of the open house & 3rd annual party weekend we had a very quiet time last weekend.

Saturday greeted us with some much needed rain, unfortunately it rained during the day with is boat time. So we went up to Rice Lake to do some shopping. Joel was very relaxed not having deadlines to meet but did install a cabinet in my laundry room above the washer & dryer. Late in the afternoon the clouds gave way to some beautiful sunshine. Turned in early.

Sunday we awoke to the loons calling, birds chirping, the water slapping up against the rocks and sunshine. Life is good. Had to run back up to Rice Lake to get some additional parts for the laundry room. Got back and was greeted by Pam & Steve. So out come the cocktails and the guys proceeded to rebuild the sand point pump-house. Grilled ribs on the BBQ (my specialty) and had dinner on the patio overlooking the lake....Life is good :)

Monday started just as any other Monday.........Joel up at 3:30 am, leaving for work by 4:00 am, me at my desk by 8:00 am (yes I slept in....again!) and so on and so on. One of my old school year friends found me on facebook today. Reminiscing with Floyd & his sister Ann was just wonderful.....Life is good. Floyd is very much into fishing so I have invited him up to try his hand at our 3800 acres of fishing, hope some day he takes me up on the invite. After that trip down memory lane, I reconnected with another dear friend Chris. Her parents were very close with my birth parents in & out of church. She is a little older than me, so not very many memories of her. But after accepting a friend request from her....I was able to get re-acquainted through pictures with their dad, Dick, brothers Richard & Kevin and sister Ellen & Rita. I also found out their mother had passed on, she was a wonderful mother & caring person as I remember her vividly. I really enjoyed it.......just more affirmation that some goodness came out of a horrible childhood. I had spoken through an e-mail with Richard a couple months back to catch up with him, but seeing the family album was a highlight.......Life is good.

Pam & Steve came over around 3:30 pm for Steve to help Big Joe put the roof on the pump-house & prime the sand point (the underground sprinkler is hooked up to it). Pam & I did a little sun bathing. At the last minute I decided to have a dinner cruise, so Big Joe uncovered the boat, packed a cooler & got the puppies in their life jackets. While I quickly whipped some stir-fry. Once Joel arrived around 7:15 pm we were all sittin on the boat waiting for him to join us on the dinner cruise. It was a beautiful evening and enjoyed by all.......Life is good :)

This weekend is looking like another quiet one unless we get a last minute call on our open ended invites to come to the lake. I'd like to also take a minute to wish Shea a happy birthday which he will be celebrating with his father, Sheldon on Saturday.



I'd like to say goodbye with something that a very wise man shared with me that got me really thinking that I would like to share because it has a lot of meaning:

"thinking of old friends, new friends and the one's, I haven't meet, yet."

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Love,
Joel, Amy & Jonathan

OMG........What a weekend!

This weekend is one to go down in the books. The weather was absolutely beautiful. Well I guess we will just start from the top:

Friday, May 28th was used for the final preparations of getting the yard ready, sleeping arrangements and food ready. Our first guest, Nancy arrived around 5:00 p.m. Once we unloaded her & luggage she was followed closely by Wayde & Shelley around 6:15 p.m. It was Shelley's birthday so she had taken the day off to celebrate, so she arrived full of birthday spirits.....Whoop Whoop Shell! Klaus & Ann arrived right behind them around 7:00 p.m. We all caught up with the low downs while waiting for Sheldini.......fashionably late as usual! Sat by the fire while waiting for him with a couple cocktails & visiting. He shows up around 10:30 p.m. The everyone turns in early to get a good nights sleep except Joel & Sheldon who stay up to play a little cribbage.

Saturday, May 29th started out just gorgeous. we had our annual saturday morning breakfast of Belgium waffles, sausage, fresh fruit & champaign. After morning dishes were cleaned up we started to make our "boat" food & get out suits on. The jet ski lift needed to be repaired & put into the water, so the guys under Wayde's supervision fixed it after several hours. The girls were hanging out on the boat waiting for the guys to give the sign that they were done. As we prepared to shove off....Jonathan told us that Daniel and his mother & father (they flew in from Norway for Daniel's graduation) were on their way to join us. By the time everything was said & done we finally got on our way about 2:30 pm. We headed to the island while Jonathan & Daniel went ahead on the jet ski. As we arrived at the island we were greeted by all the regular friends......Pam & Steve, Mike & Suzie, Jeannie & Chris, Tim & Sue and all their guests. We got a call from Big Joe who was back at the house that Bri & Michael had arrived.....so we sent Jonathan back on the jet ski to go get them. We were unable to stay but an hour or so before we headed back to the house to get ready for graduation. We left everyone at the island to hang out and catch a ride back with Pam & Steve and Tim & Sue. Once back to the house we were greeted by Kevin, Nicole, Lisa and Matthew who had arrived from the cities. Daniel & his parents took off to go get ready as we did also. Around 6:00 pm I checked my phone & realized I forgot to pickup the cake........thank goodness we live in a small town because I called and arranged for them to meet us at the back door on Sunday to pick it up. 911 emergency solved so off to graduation we went. Kevin, Nicole, Lisa, Matthew, Bri, Michael Brandon and Big Joe joined us for the graduation ceremony.

Jonathan and Daniel




It was done very nice and with a graduation class of 61 students we were done in
about an hour.









Hats off.......Yippie Skippie, Jonathan is a high school graduate :)





* * * * * * Proud Mom & Dad with our graduate, Jonathan * * * *

* * * * * * * * * * Jonathan and Daniel * * * * * * * *

Even with all the miles that will between them after June 11th, they will be in each other thoughts daily.........................

* * * * * * * * * * * Daniel & his parents * * * * * * * *

After the all the pictures and hugs were done we headed back to the house for dinner, friends & more visiting. Everyone was whooped from the sun and cocktails so off to bed we all went.

Sunday, May 30th started by everyone sleeping in a little bit. Once we got everyone up, cleaned up & dressed we head into Rice Lake to Adventure's Pub for brunch. We were treated to omelets, fresh fruit, salads, french toast sticks, egg bake, sausage, bacon, ribs & kraut, Cajun catfish, mac n' cheese, desserts and much, much more. Off to Wal*Mart we head next to pickup some stuff we had forgotten to buy and Nancy needed to look for a solution to her sunburned body of not wanting to wear a bra because of the straps........strapless bra to the rescue! When we got back we started to set up to transform the garage that holds cars & tools to party room for dinner, drinks and dancing. Big John & Lil Andi showed up at 1:30 pm which was very nice. It gave them time to get all their babies out, pottied, fed and Big John a nap :) Grandma Waage, Uncle John & Joanne where the first to arrive followed quickly right behind was Mike & Suzie and family.

Pictures speak better than words:


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Cake * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *















* * * * * * * Irene, Lee, David and Matthew * * * * * *







Jeannie & Chris









Big John & Lil Andi's babies













* * Jonathan, Daniel and Brandon singing, be glad we didn't tape it * *

* * * * * * Nancy & Ann showing the girls how to do it * * *

* * * * * * * * Big Joe, the bartender * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * * Nancy doing a little boogie * * * * * *




* * * * * * Kevin & Nicole's first dance......ever! * * * *

* * * * Most everyone's drink of choice for the evening * * * 8














The evening ended shortly after 2:00 am.....geez guys....are we getting old or what? Last year it was 3:30 am! Well maybe it was the running out of beer that did it! 9 cases of beer! Oh well, there was fun that was had by all.

Monday, May 31st was started with everyone slooowwwly dragging their butts outta bed. Big John & Lil Andi packed up and were out by 9:00 am, Nancy was gone by 10:00 am, Wayde & Shelley & Klaus & Ann stopped by around 10:30 am to say goodbye, Sheldon & Joel were on their way back to the SSP house to install a new water heater by 11:45 am and Kevin & Nicole stayed to play in the water but left by 3:15 pm. Branden hung out for one more day. Big Joe & I cleaned up some of the garage & kitchen but I had my tired butt in bed by 8:00pm. Joel was home by 11:30 pm.

Tuesday, June 1st was laundry, finishing cleaning, cover Sheldon's Murfreesboro freight, harvest my crops on facebook and update the blog (took 4 hours!)

We just want to thank EVERYONE for making Jonathan's Graduation/Open House/3rd Annual Memorial Weekend Bash a wonderful success and look forward to seeing each & everyone of you this summer for some one on one time. Please remember to check your calendars to see when you are available to head up & let us know the dates so we can mark you down. Weekends around here fill up fast............

Love you all and check back for the remaining party photo's that I will continue to put this week.

Check Back Often........Check Back Soon

Joel, Amy and Jonathan