Luke Schmitz Survived Iraq

So, Luke's break has been fun. Almost to the end though. Calm, it seems, is anything BUT what this vacation has been. Right away he attended mass and got lots of attention, and from there made a visit to school, drinks with Chelsea and I and has been busy since. We traveled to Bemidji on Tuesday afternoon (I couldn't get out of a 6am work shift) and got together with a bunch of our friends that haven't seen him since New Years or even before that. Good night, it was filled with food, a mock thanksgiving dinner, and friends with silly games and a little liquid fun. Wednesday we traveled home and I don't really remember too much about that day, I think it may have been quite chill, or what my friends call "chillax"

Thanksgiving was really fun. I was pretty nervous going to another families thanksgiving, but talking with everyone and seeing him with his family finally was a great site. I even became a photographer! Ha, we'll see if those actually turn out. Since I was told Mary and Claire enjoy reading these, I better give a shout out to those busy girls, and yes Mary, very impressed with the trophies! and I may have a new buddy with Grace :). The food was very yummy and the movie Flushed Away, was...well, a nice relaxing after huge food event. But it sounds like it was better than the reviews of Happy Feet or even worse, Santa Clause 3. I think the family holiday movies are lacking in quality so far.

Anyway, this morning Luke and I enjoyed coffee and breakfast with pretty much every guy we hung out with in high school at good ole Lakes Cafe. I left for a while and when I came back, they had barely moved after and hour and half. Another chance for me to become a photographer at the moment as they all posed in front of the perham turtle slide. Then Luke and I whisked off to St. Cloud to meet up with his army buddy Stute and his girlfriend Heather. We enjoyed nice fatty greasy food at Buffalo Wild Wings and then traveled the mall for no reason at all.
It was a great visit, and Stute gave Luke a bracelet he had made of Sgt. Joshua Hanson for a remembrance.

OOh, perfect opportunity here to say a little something about him. Because his parents worked at Maplewood State Park, between Vergus and Pelican, they are building a picnic shelter in his name...a great opportunity for all to support the troops...hint hint :) You can contact the State Park office or I think even the Chamber in Pelican.

Ok on we go, sorry so long. Luke leaves Sunday for another round of Texan Fun. Oh but not to worry, he will be home in a blink of an eye for his Christmas break! Yes, maybe a month he will be gone and back with us. And this time for like 30 DAYS. Amazing, 30 days. I dont think we've been in each other's presence for more than 14 days (except the hospital) in 16 months!

But I think this has been long enough, I'm sure some people dropped off like 3 paragraphs ago, but I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and safe travels back. And now, crunch time for presents..ahhhh