Ready For More Minnesota Pictures?

I was so blessed during our trip to have one Girls' Day Out. I met two of my friends from my Campus Crusade days, Sarah and Heidi, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for lunch. We started talking as soon as we saw eachother and didn't have so much as a lull until hours later when we parted. Good friends, sweet Christian fellowship ~

Ken and I were hosted by so many friends during out visit, including Jeremy and Marlene ~
And we were able to catch up with the Caldwell family that evening as well ~

The next morning, we drove to Bayfield, Wisconsin, and then took a ferry to Madeline Island. We spend time on Grandpa John's boat. Did you know it's so easy to pilot a 30-some-foot cruiser, even a child can do it? Check it out ~


Our family cottage on Madeline ~
Beach fun in front of the cottage ~

Taking down "Bop" with the swim noodles ~
Lunch on Madeline at Grandpa Tony's, a family favorite ~


An evening cruise on Bop's boat ~

A Superior sunset ~
More beach play with cousins Katherine and Tyler ~

The ferry, headed back to Bayfield ~

Minnesota, Continued

More from our Minnesota trip...

Along with all the little cousins, we had lunch in Grandma Maggie's garden. The children discovered interesting garden ornaments and played with sidewalk chalk ~

They were so busy it was difficult to catch more than one at a time in a picture. Notice the coordinating Hawaiian clothes on these four busy little bees ~

And one stationary flower ~

A perfect resting spot for a little one ~

We also spent some time with our old neighbors, Mike and Mary Breci. They took us swimming at the YMCA, then back to their home for some rice krispie treats and bubble toys ~

It was fun to be in our old neighborhood again and see some of our dear friends there ~

There's still lots more Minnesota Pics!

Minnesota Trip

We spent the last two weeks of July in Minnesota, visiting family and friends. It was a whirlwind tour, packed with fun...

We began with an all-day drive. The highlight of the journey for the boys was our breakfast stop, a Krispie Kreme picnic at a rest stop ~

Our first morning in St. Paul, Grandpa John and Grandma Patti treated the boys to rides at the Mall of America ~


Our first week in town, Calvin had a playdate with his "Sophie Girl," his sweet little friend who he has known since birth. When we lived in Minnesota, they were together at least a couple times a week, be it in their Sunday School class or on playdates ~

Stay tuned for more Minnesota Pictures!

Lyndsay's Visit

My sister Lyndsay came for two days last week. The time was so fun, yet so short.

Here are a few highlights.

Splash Park ~

Tennis "lesson" ~

Family walk ~
Snuggle time ~
Lorikeet Landing ~

(That's a Rainbow Lorikeet eating out of Calvin's hand.)

We love Auntie Lyndsay!

A Week of Visitors

We've had a wonderful week of visitors...my mom, then my sister, then my mom again, and then our friends the Frucheys. Hotel Schmidt has been booked solid!

A few photos with the Fruchey family ~

We loved having Ashley and Kalista in our home. They are sweet and polite and fun to talk to. The boys had a ball playing with them and were sad to see them go.

I have to show off these beautiful roses they brought us ~

Our house was fresh and lively for the three days of their visit...from the flowers, but much more so from their friendship. Thanks for visiting us!

5th of July Party

We continued celebrating Independence Day with a 5th of July Party today with our Adult Bible Fellowship....

Little Gracie, Big Grace, and Kay-wa (as Calvin calls these sweet girls). These three are already good multi-taskers...they are playing Old Maid while swinging ~


We had a great time swimming today. My hands were too full to take pictures while I was swimming with Cal and Ted (imagine that), but afterwards I snagged a photo of the Davenport family ~

Precious little Katherine pushed herself up to standing for the first time today. Isn't she a doll? ~

Some card sharks emerged ~

Great food, of course ~

My food contributions were two kid-pleasers ~

Dorislee after doing an underwater back flip. This is one talented attorney ~

Some of the firecracker-happy Baum family ~

A super cute Beaner Baby ~

A big thanks to Eric and Amy for opening up their home to us! What fun to spend the day with our church friends!

Happy Independence Day!

For the second year in a row, we celebrated Independence Day at the Crescent Hill Old Fashioned Fourth of July.

We ate tons of junk food ~




Listened to a Dixie Land brass band ~

Played instruments at the Music Together tent ~

Visited Sweet Petunia the clown ~

Watched an antique car parade ~

And we went for a trolley ride ~



What a great day! Happy 4th of July!