Cousins

This summer my sister Karrie and I have taken the opportunity to do a little exchange each week.  She takes my kids for an afternoon so I can do errands on my own, and I do the same for her.  The cousins love playing together twice a week and it's great for our hearts and minds to be able to go to the grocery store by ourselves :)  Yesterday we spent a lot of the afternoon at the park.  It was a hot day so we found some great shade to eat our popcorn snack in.  

Ava, Connor, Carson, and Kaelynn on the merry-go-round

 There is a great hill at this park that is used for sledding in the winter and rolling down or running down in the summer. 

Emma and Kaelynn are two peas in a pod.  They both love wearing dresses, purses, and shoes.  They love to play wedding or house together and are very good moms to their babies. 


Enjoying a snack!  Ava of course has her mouth full of popcorn.



Happy July 4th! (5 year-old style)

Happy 4th of July!!!!!



Lake week 2011

One of the highlights of every year is our "week at the lake" with Jan and Luther.  This year was no exception!  This year was a bit different in that it was marked with many "firsts".  The first "first" is that it was the first year that it was just Jan and Luther and our family.  We didn't particularlly like this first as we would have loved to have more cousins and aunts and uncles with us.  Matt and Laura and Krisanne and Paul- we reminisced a lot about last year and talked A LOT about what it will be like the next time we are all together again!  

Another "first" was the location.  We tried Eagle Beach resort this year on Eagle Beach.  It is aptly named as we saw many bald eagles soaring above us.  The resort was great with many activities for the whole family and a great pool and wading pool.  They also had awesome ice cream cones!!!!!  

Carson experienced a "first" in the pool.  He was able to swim in water over his head without his life jacket on!  He's the first one of our kids to be able to accomplish this.  He's in 9 ft. of water in the above picture. 

The resort had a high ropes challenge course attached to it.  Jan and Luther convinced Andy and I to try it.   This was definetly going to be a "first" for either of us.  The course was about 30 feet off the ground and was made up of 4 challenges.  On all but one of them we were walking on a cable- like a tight rope.  My heart was beating so fast.  The pics below are what Connor, Carson, and Kaelynn took of us.   I think Jan and Luther got some better ones, so when I get them I'll put them on here. 

To say my heart was beating fast was an understatement.  I think the hardest part of each challenge was the first step off the platform.  It was definetly a lesson in faith and trust!  We were very safe with many harnesses and caribeaners (sp???).  The reward for making it through the challenges was a 100 yd (?) zip line ride through the evergreen trees.  Now that was fun!  I know Jan and Luther got video of that so I'll get it on when I can.   

To start, we had to climb up a large ladder and then climb up ten or so clips in a tree to get to the first platform.  One of the people in front of me had trouble getting connected to the cable so I had to assume this position for quite some time.  You can't see it, but my knuckles were white from holding on so tightly. 

This was the last challenge and the one I thought was the most challenging.  There were no ropes to hold on to except the one right above us.  Those steps were pretty far apart and it was not easy to hold your balance.

Andy went behind me and was a great encouragement.  He did really well throughout the whole course. 

Another "first"- Kaelynn held a fish for the first time.  



One thing we loved about Eagle Beach was the kayaking.  There was a channel that connected Eagle Lake to Potato Lake and it was a beautiful 15-20 minute kayak ride through typical MN lake country scenery.  It was peaceful and beautiful.  

We went to the Logging Camp for dinner one evening.  A "first" for the kids. 

We always go to Itasca  State Park and were able to get there before the MN governement shut down the parks.  It was a perfect day and we had a great time.  Another "first"- We all made it to Douglas Lodge on our bike ride! 

 Oh how I love those bright eyes and sweet smile!

One of the activities the kids participated in at the resort was the scavenger hunt.  Kaelynn and I were on a team together and Connor joined another team.  Kaelynn got 3rd place and Connor's team got 2nd.  We had to find things such as 40 pinecones, a Dorito, a four-leaf clover, an Eagle Beach t-shirt, a Lifesaver, and much more.  It was a lot of fun and the kids were very proud of their ribbons. 

There was a family staying in the cabin closest to us that are on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ in the MPLS. area and we had many connections with them.  They worked with or knew quite a few people whom we knew from our days involved with Crusade.  It was really fun to get to know the Brun family.  They had children similar to our kids ages and they had a great time together.  They kind of filled in for the missing cousins.  They even played the watermelon toss game with us (the pic below).  Did you know watermelons float in water?   

Carson, Connor, and Everret Brun

(Yes, that is part of the broken watermelon on Connor's head!) 

It was a great week!  We are already dreaming of next year :)

Are you kidding me??????

My sister Katie just posted on her blog about some amazing deals she just got including a cute summer dress.  The funny thing is that I was planning on posting about the exact same thing today.  Great minds think alike! 

So we had two weddings this weekend.  One Friday night and one Saturday night.  I have lots of dresses and was thinking I would be have no problem picking out two of them for the weddings.  On Thursday I had some time to myself and needed to go to the mall for something, so I thought I would just look at dresses to see if there were any great deals, knowing that I really didn't need one.  I didn't see a whole lot and was getting to the end of my time, but decided to try Herbergers just in case. 

I immediately spotted a dress I really liked, but it was a size smaller than I normally wear, but thought I'll try it on just in case.  I tried it on and loved it!!!!  And it fit perfectly!!!!!  YEAH!!!!!!!! 

One big problem there was no tag on it and no tag on the other one hanging on the rack!  It was on the clearance rack though so I thought it surely can't be over $50.00.  Which by the way, I still wasn't willing to pay. 

Anyways, I took it to the girls at the counter and asked if they could help me figure out how much the dress was.  They put in quite a few numbers and proclaimed, "It's ringing up as four ninety-nine." 

Confused I said, "As in $499.00".  She said, "No, $4.99."  To which I almost shouted, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"  Surely this dress had to be originally over $100.00.  I don't know how in the world they could sell it for $5. 

I told her to make sure that was the price because I felt a little bad getting such a nice brand-new dress for $5.  She checked some more and said, "That's what it is ringing up at so that's what you will get it for." 

Whether I needed it or not, $5.00 for a new cocktail dress could not be passed up.  To say that my day was just made was an understatement!  SO without further ado- my $5.00 party dress:

And it has pockets- so fun!!!!  



Our favorite family activity

Andy is back from a 12 day trip to Israel.  He had a great time and we will post pics and more details soon.  Until then, I can try to keep up with the rest of the summer.  He was at home yesterday and today so we of course took the opportunity to go fishing- our favorite family activity!!!!  We went to Lake Sally and fished from the shore.  We enjoyed a picnic supper and got some little fish which keeps the kids plenty entertained.

 Kaelynn caught the biggest fish of the day!  A good sized bass!

Kaelynn's attention span with fishing is okay, but she enjoyed walking on the rocks and looking at the waterfall more.  She wanted to do a photo shoot so here's one of the pics from that. 
We are looking forward to many more of these outings over the next few months! 

Better late than never....

Yes, I'm a month behind.  Here is an update of what happened in May......

Connor and Carson had a music program at school.  They performed dances and many songs.  They played instruments and did a great job!  We were very proud of them.  Look for a video at the end of the post.....



Andy and his dad got out for MN fishing opener.  They did pretty well and we enjoyed some delicious walleye that week!




We got a fire pit for the backyard and have a enjoyed a couple of evenings of smores and are looking forward to many more once Andy returns home.

  Kaelynn graduated from pre-school and is officially a kindergartner.  They had a small program where they performed songs they had learned this spring and the Lord's Prayer.  They had a ice cream party afterwards.  I can't believe she will be in school full-time in three months.  It is really hard for me! 





One of Kaelynn's teachers- Miss Randa




The proud parents!




Great friends- Grover and Zoe!



Andy sacrificed his dry clothes to bar-b-que for my mom's birthday.  The weekend was pretty rainy, but we were determined to make hawaiian chicken sandwiches anyways. 

My mom with most of her grandchildren! Happy Birthday Grandma!



I even got a little baking done in the midst of the craziness of the month.  I made this strawberry shortcake with almond glaze and was told by one of the members in our small group that it was the best dessert we had ever had at small group.  I had to agree with him.  It was pretty stinkin' good! 

As of this week we finished school and Andy is currently in Israel.  We have VBS this week and I am really looking forward to leading the worship for that.  I love it!!!  Andy is having a great time in Israel and returns on Saturday afternoon.  After next Sunday, the pace of life should really slow down which I am going to be so thankful for.  We have been on warp speed since February and I am really looking forward to a slow, relaxed summer.  I won't even put hopes up that I will post more this summer.  I'll post when I can.....    

Catch up.....

The blog and I do not have a positive relationship right now.  Sorry!!!  We have had full weeks the past month or so with lots happening.  I have also started working full-time and am feeling like the blog needs to take a back seat to laundry and cleaning for the time being.  I'm gonna do my best to update the past month here.  Hold on for the ride: 

The event that has dominated our time the last two months was the Easter musical at church, My Brother's Keeper.  We performed it April 15-17 and it was so much fun.  I never thought I would ever be in a leading role, I was perfectly happy in the chorus, but I had such a blast.  I continue to be so humbled that God would use me in this way.  What a blessing!!!!!  Close to 3,000 people heard the message of Jesus' sacrifice for them that weekend.  We believe lives were changed and we are so grateful to be a part of it.  Here are a few pics from the musical.  Hopefully we can send some of you a DVD when it is finished. 

 Easter Sunday pics....

 The boys finished their second book in Sparks and earned the second year award on Wednesday.  Next year they will be working toward the Sparks plaque that hasn't changed since I was in Sparks.  We are very proud of them and pray that the verses they are learning will be forever in their hearts.   

 We finished this month with a spring dance recital for Kaelynn.  They got to wear the same outfit they wore for the winter recital- which was a nice gift.  Kaelynn did a beautiful job! 

Hopefully it won't take me another month to get update this, but don't hold me to that.  We have 4 1/2 weeks of school left, and then a much needed break from everything.  June 11th is the magical date- school will be done, Andy will be back from Israel, Vacation Bible School will be done, and we will be officially on summer break.  Hopefully I will do a much better job then :)  I hope everyone reading is doing well.