Friday Night Lights

S worked concessions, I worked the chains, and Andover worked the home team 44-20 in Wayzata's opener of the 2025 season. 

Cross Country?

S is trying her hand (or legs) at cross country this fall, and seems to be a natural!

Wayzata is the defending AAAA state champions and has a historically outstanding program, impressive coach, and is known for it's culture-building amongst its 80 (yes, EIGHTY) runners.

Her first meet, the St. Olaf HS Invitational hosted 26 teams and 422 runners. 

WHS won the event (5K), and Sawyer finished in 20:59 (49th overall, 10th among freshman).

Can't wait to learn the sport and cheer on the the team this fall!

Chipmunk

E got her (five!) wisdom teeth pulled, and does not feel her chubby cheeks are as cute as the rest of us things they are... 😂 

Nana Camp

E and her besties (Anni, Maren, Harper) and S and hers (Gracyn, Elizabeth, Mollie) loaded up my sprinter van rental and road-tripped to Fairmont for "Nana Camp", a highlight of the summer.

It was in the 60s and windy, but this crew toughed out the suboptimal conditions and jet skied, tubed, night swam their hearts out.

Other highlights were the Superior 71 drive through 10:45pm showing of  'I Know What You Did Last Summer', the Channel and Freeze (duh), sand volleyball at Goms', and endless sunset "usies"...

Old Stomping Ground

E & I biked Harriet and the Creek, swung by the old Bryant house, popped into the Wild Rumpus (through the girls old favorited door), and grabbed a snack in Linden Hills at Jones Coffee...

Two-a-Days

G'pa Tom and I took it in a Gopher Football summer morning practice session and a bite at Sally's.

10 days til the season opener vs. Buffalo... 

SKI-U-MAH, Go GOPHERS!

'Mocking

My new favorite hobby, in my new favorite hiding spot...

Kavanaugh's

Overcast and periodic rain, but that didn't stop us from having another great week on Lake Sylvan with the Backer clan.

Annual favorite traditions are always the beach volleyball and basketball games, lounging on the west beach, canoe fishing, the Backer Pot Luck (this year German themed), excursions to Zorbaz (pizza and muzic), Nisswa, Quarterdeck (dinner & drinks), Madden's (ice cream), the Barn (pie).

New additions this year was "wig night" (oh, Hannah), Loco Espress morning coffee runs, and Nisswa's Turtle Races (the 62nd running).

Go Bison

S attended North Dakota State University's 'Elite Camp' this summer and got insider access thanks to WHS alum and NDSU freshman Sophie Hawkinson.

First time in Fargo for us, and we were impressed!

Highlights include Michele's Table for coffee & pastries, Insomnia Cookie for late night snacks, Brewhalla's food hall, and Broadway Square downtown for music and cards. The Jasper Hotel's sauna was a nice 'unwind' amenity as well...

Sossy & Nana

Some 1:1 time for these two...

Back on campus

A consulting opportunity, helping UST's Schulze School of Business, to design a series of innovation courses had me back on my old stomping grounds this summer...

Pickle Party

Sunday funday...