Minnesota: part 2!

The rest of our week up in Minnesota was great. We did some fun things as a family each evening after Scott got out of school. On Reis' birthday we went to the Mall of America.

It was amazing to see the roller coasters zipping by right over your heads. I said it felt like we were in a Jetson's cartoon!

One day we went bowling. Couldn't resist this picture:)
Self portrait with Owen


The last day with the Gaze and Tess. Especially Chapman and Hudson enjoyed every opportunity to ride. They are my animal/creature lovers!

On our trip home we stopped to spend some time with good friends Mike and Mary Margaret. The kids enjoyed reuniting and being able to burn off some energy in order to finish the ride home. It was so good to get home. I realize each time I go away how much I love being home!

What a Blessing!

As a family, we headed up to St. Paul, Minnesota for a week for Scott to finish his LAST class to complete his Master's of Divinity degree. We laugh because we set out 12+ years ago for him to go full time to seminary and be done in 3 years tops. God had different plans of course. He has been plugging away ever since. God arranged for him to get in contact with a dear family who own a huge farm with a 'ministry' home that they use for those in ministry that need housing. We arrived on Saturday and were amazed at the beauty of the home and the surroundings. This is my view I've had each morning from the front porch, drinking my coffee.

This is the home. It has been beautifully restored and decorated. It's like stepping into a magazine page.I've made myself at home, even making my

first Rhubarb/Raspberry pie. Picked from the back yard.

There are several horses on the property in which the boys have loved riding. As always, Chapman has enjoyed catching creatures. Here he found a cute tree frog.

They became instant friends.

(sorry, without saving my pics to Scott's computer, I can't rotate them)

Birthday Week

Many of you know we have 3 birthdays this week alone. Owen's on the 14th, Scott's on the 18th and Reis' on the 21st. My poor husband always gets forgotten in the middle of the two boys. Although the older he gets, he doesn't mind!

Last night we threw together a 'surprise' party for Reis (amidst all of our travels:). He turns 13 on Tues. and we will be out of town so last night was the night. We had several families and friends of his over for brownies and ice cream. Each of them have made an impact on his life in some way and we were grateful that they were there. Scott took some time to pray for Reis as he enters these very critical years known as the 'teen years'. And for us as parents for wisdom and guidance. It was a very special time and I hope he remembers it for a long time.
Reis and his buddies and 'new' shades.

Summer Fun

Our July has been crazy with many mini-trips and a whole lot of fun. Over the 4th, we were at a family retreat that Scott runs for our church family. We had a great time together with our own fire works and all!

We've been able to spend an evening with the Lehman's...the ultimate hosts! On the lake. Can you believe we ALL were able to tube at one time! So much fun!

The captain of the ship.

This week we took a trip up to Ill/WI with some friends to visit our special friend Donny. He was a part of our church many years ago and now comes to visit every Christmas. Last year we were blessed to have him in our home for a few days. Here he is showing us his room and his fire truck. So precious.

He lives a very special community called the Shepherds Ministry. They have 180 residents that live, work and are taught about the Lord on a daily basis. It was incredible to see them here in this large building working away at their jobs. Some were putting together kits for Wal-mart and others were playing legos. We met a lot of wonderful people whom God loves dearly.

On Monday evening we picked up some yummy pizza's and went to the beach for a picnic. It was a gorgeous night complete with an air balloon launch!

It was Owen's birthday on Tuesday so we celebrated there. He turned 7! Hard to believe...

With 3 families, 10 kids, a lot of fun, we headed to Six Flags for the day on Tuesday. We had a blast!

Well...most of us enjoyed the rides! Greg...not so much!

Neither did Tyler...although he got better as the day went on!

Around the house

I realized the other day that I have not taken many pics of what I spend most of my time doing these days. We planted a garden for the first time this year. We planted tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, green beans, lettuce, cilantro and basil. Everyday we go out and see how everyone is doing. Plus, my first love is flowers. I have managed to fill our landscaping with "free" starts from wonderful Friends. I love how God planned things to multiply so we can share beauty of them with each other. I can't wait until all my perennials are big enough to split and share with others.

Remember these geraniums?? I posted a while ago some clearenced pots of flowers I got that looked pretty sick. Well they are alive and well!

Thanks to our parents, for our anniversary Scott and his dad made me a much desired flower box for our front window. Thanks moms and dads!

The boys watched from the inside.

Finished product. Now we just need everything to grow and fill in!