Empty Nesters Again

Empty Nesters Again

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for August 26, 2018

It's hard to believe this summer is already coming to an end.  It was confirmed for us on Thursday when Luke moved back to Mankato to start his sophomore year at Minnesota State Mankato University.

Two days later, Avery followed suit when he moved back to the University of Minnesota to start his sophomore year as well.  Miss Sheri and I are officially empty nesters again!

Both boys are trying something new this year.  Avery has moved into an apartment with three other guys.  They have a really cool location right across the street from Stadium Village.  I'm sure game days are going to be pretty wild and crazy in this place.

Luke decided to stay in the dorms but has chosen to forego having a roommate and is now living by himself.  Every time we call him, though, he seems to be out and about with friends so I doubt he will get lonely.   Good luck Luke and Avery at school this year!

We found it pretty cool when we were pulling out of the driveway on our way to drop off Avery, one of our albino squirrel friends showed up in the yard to wish him Good Luck!  They always seem to show up in our lives at just the right times.

Last weekend, we had the joy of going out on the St. Croix River on the Zitzewitz boat with a bunch of friends.  That's always a recipe for a good time.

The Browns brought their jet ski which was very entertaining.  It's lighter than other ones I've driven, so it seems to make you fly much, much higher when you go over the big waves.  It made me a little nervous to go that high, but the boys sure seemed to like it.

We had all sorts of fun toys to play with in the water!  Which is a good thing because it helps me keep my mind off constantly worrying about being attacked by a river shark.

Pretty soon, Captain Karl took controls of the jet ski and pulled out a tube.  He was ready to start giving rides!

I watched him give the kids rides for quite awhile and thought, "Well, that doesn't seem so bad."  It's been awhile since I've been on a tube, but it's just like riding a bike, right?

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Eventually, I hopped on the tube and was ready to go for a ride.  I figured it would be easy.

It wasn't easy.  I held on for dear life while he swung me from side to side and had me jump the thing over waves.  I held on as hard as I could, but eventually succumbed to the G Forces that seemed to want to send me into the water so badly.  Then the fun began.  Getting back on that tube was much harder from the water then it was from the boat.  Lucky for me, Karl is big and strong and was able to give me a boost else I'd probably still be out there bobbing up and down on that river.

Next up was Rhonda and Tina who were ready to give it a go.  They didn't say anything but I'm sure they were thinking "If Todd can do it, then it will be no problem for me!"  I probably would have thought that if I were them.

I watched their ride and was impressed that they held on the whole time and never flew off like I did.  I'd like to think that's because Karl took it easy on them, but I'm more sure it's because they are also stronger than I am.

Another sign that summer is almost over.  Our annual fantasy football draft was on Friday night!

As always, Steve "Cuds" Cuddihy and his lovely wife, Melissa, hosted an incredible shin-dig and auction draft that lasted several hours.  It's always a fun time!

I saw on the championship trophy that I haven't won the league since 2010.  So I think I'm due!  Although I'm not in love with the team I drafted, so it's time to start working that waiver wire to find the diamonds in the rough!  Are you ready for some football??