Getting so big!

The girl is getting so big! Here she is with her super-cute friend, Miles.

Let the good times roll...

I have a headache today and this is probably why...

It was a fun night with good wine, good conversation and a great friend.

Worship

Glory - Selah w/Nichole Nordeman (Bless The Broken Road – The Duets Album)

When I was working this summer, I used to play this song every morning on my way in. I've always loved praise & worship music - it's when I feel most connected to Him and can feel His presence. I'm most often moved to tears while praising Him in song and this one is no exception. It's quickly become one of my favorites (amongst a list of many!). "One day eyes that are blind will see you clearly...someday voices that lie will all be silenced" I can't imagine a world where "every tongue offers You praise", but I'm betting it will be like nothing I could ever imagine.

If you dig Christian music (or Holy, Holy, Holy music as Chad lovingly refers to it) then here are some of my favorites for you to check out:

David Crowder Band
Selah
Jeremy Camp
Mercy Me
Aaron Shust
Casting Crowns
and many more!

I have songs by a few of these artists on my playlist that runs while you're reading here, including Glory which I mentioned above.

Wedding weekend

Chad's cousin was married last weekend at the Zoological Gardens in Racine, WI. I've never been to an outdoor wedding, let alone one at a zoo, so it was a new experience...goose poop and all! It was a beautiful wedding and reception. How can anyone be upset with an open bar ALL night long?! Food was really good, music was great. I only wish Chad would have agreed with me to leave the kids for the weekend. I would've loved to have been able to have fun and visit with everyone all night long instead of heading up to our room at 9pm so the kids could go to bed. His family is so awesome though and helped a ton with the kids. I always feel so blessed by how wonderful and generous his family is. They are always willing to help with the kids and often go out of their way to do so. THANK YOU!


Chad's brother Jason and his wife Kathy


Chad & Mason at the reception


Photo courtesy of Mason

Chad's cousin Melissa

Failed attempt at a nice family pic

Kimberly with her parents

Kim & Andrew

Jason, Kathy & cousin Jenny

And yes - in case you caught it - I did have two different dresses on that day. As we were pulling out of the hotel parking lot ON THE WAY TO THE WEDDING, the zipper on my dress split open. Not good. Jimmy-rigged it for the wedding and ran to the closest store afterward for something to replace it.

Vacation pictures

Here are some pictures from our vacation on Rainy Lake in International Falls, MN (way up north!). We had such a great time! I was super lucky and caught lots of big fish (evidence below!). They wanted to give me an award for being the best fisher-girl on the lake, but being the humble person that I am, I declined. Didn't want to create any unnecesary jealousy from the guys.



Here's Chad cleaning fish on the dock outside our cabin.

This is the main building (bar, restaurant, gift shop, hotel rooms)

That's our cabin peeking out from behind the trees

Mason, George and Natalie

Natalie investigating the sand. Yes, this handful did make it into her mouth!

A fish that I caught (walleye)

Mason's fish

Another one of the walleye that I caught, but never wanted to hold for the camera...

Mason, Ruth, George, Natalie and the Lens Smudge that found it's way into all of our vacation pitctures

Vacation!

We're currently on vacation here: http://www.rainy-lake.com/

The cabin that we rented is, um, a bit rustic - but nice. We've been having a great time with our friends and the kids have been having a ball with the other kids. We went into Canada yesterday and caught a bunch of fish. It was fun! Camera battery was dead so no pictures to share. Rainy Lake is ginormous and has a ton of cool islands and channels. It's even more fun to be out there because our friends Greg, Frank, and Mary all grew up here and know the lake like the back of their hands. We're going on a trek to Kettle Falls today. You can only get there by boat or plane. I was told it's an old brothel so I'm not sure what to expect, but apparently it's a must-see so I'm game.

Happy August!!!

P.S. - I paid $6.10 for a gallon of milk up here. Ouch!

S is for slacker

Ok - I totally suck at keeping up with this. I can't belive a month has gone by since I've been here. Wait - yes I can. I've been very busy with work and kids and life. Work is over now (yay!) so I'm betting you can check here often and see frequent postings.

We're leaving for a week up North on the lake so I'll leave you with a few (too many) pictures. I don't know if these kids can get any cuter, but that's just me. I could just eat them up!