Dutke Family Update...

(fall at the cabin)

I thought I would write a quick update for our family...

Everyone has been keeping busy. John turned 24 last week. We had a low-key celebration since he had to work that evening. He has a job as a security officer, which has proved to be quite eventful. I suppose that's expected since his job consists of monitoring a few bars and thus dealing with numerous drunk people at closing time. Mary begins her new job today working for the American Refugee Committee as an administrative assistant. Joe's life is the same old. Instead of being in trouble with the cops, he assisted them last weekend with staging stings in bars and liquor stores. Nothing new to report with my life, senior year is going well.

My parents, Joe and I returned last night from doing chores at the cabin. We pulled the boats, lift and docks out of the water since we won't have another weekend to do it before the ice forms in November. Joe and my mom will most likely be spending quite a bit of time up there over the next few weeks becoming the contractor's worst nightmare. The construction progress is slow (but really, who's surprised?) but it is getting near the end (by end I mean, livable). The unfortunate problem is that we now have to deal with landscaping, which we didn't intend to mess with until later. But of course, the more unfinished projects the merrier, so our contractor started it now.

New Kitchen CabinetsSiding nearly complete (wall with light fixture is being changed)

Waiting for stone to be placed for wood stove

Built-in loft bed... design change possible

Reason for removing sidewalk - to build deck in back. Here we are 2 weeks later and still no deck....Where the sidewalk once was - looking toward driveway

Perhaps, just perhaps it will be completed in time for this summer's family reunion:)

This weekend we're looking forward seeing the Smith family and cheering on Landon and the Bison as they go against the MN Gophers.

Hope everyone is doing well!

--Posted by Anna