Summer in SoDak (that's slang for South Dakota) :)

Every year for the 4th of July we head to South Dakota to spend time with my side of the family.  All my siblings find a way to make it back to Aberdeen for a few days, and it's usually the highlight of our summer (despite the humidity and pesky mosquitoes).  This year, since our kids have become such great travelers in the car, we added on a side trip to Minnesota to see Paul's brother Dann and his family.  It was well worth the extra 12 hours in the car!  One discovery that has helped our road trips go so well these past few years is bringing along a great book on tape.  This year we found a gem called, "The Shadow of His Wings:  the true story of Fr. Gereon Goldman."  This book profoundly moved my heart and increased my faith.  Paul and the boys loved it too.  It was action-packed with war scenes, miracles, and the power of prayer.  I highly recommend it.

But I digress...  On to pictures!

My oldest brother Mike, his wife Shawna, daughter Elizabeth, and dog Drake.

My brother Steve, his wife Kristin, and boys Matthew, Daniel, and Ryan

My brother Jon, his wife Debbie, son Evan, and daughter Gwyneth

My awesome parents, Theresa and Pat

Another family shot.  

I remembered to bring my tri-pod this year and hardly had to use Photoshop at all!

I'm getting better at doing family photo shoots, but I don't think I have the makings of a professional photographer.  Too stressful.  But I am pleased with how the photo turned out this year.

Natey and Isaiah on the jet-ski with cousin Gwyneth...so cute!

Dominic learned how to water ski this year!!!

Great job, Dom!

Cousin Elizabeth was his coach---great job, Elizabeth!

Gwyneth mesmerized by her sparkler :)

Isaiah celebrating the 4th of July!

Having fun on the Storybook Land rollercoaster!

Coming to Aberdeen to visit family is like finding the gold at the end of the rainbow! :)

But you better watch out for giants coming down beanstalks!

More fun at the lake!

Paul and the little ones loved the jet ski!

Michael and Joseph with a big, nasty carp!

Michael spent the entire time at the lake fishing instead of swimming or skiing.

He is a die-hard fisherman like his grandpa Pat.

The little ones aren't sure what to think about the huge carp.

Michael helped Natey catch a walleye.

I got to visit with some treasured friends while I was back in my hometown,

which was a highlight for me.  This is my friend Cherie,

a dear friend and my high school religion teacher.

Summer fun in the sun is tiring :)

Uncle Jon took Isaiah and Gwyneth for a ride...

It was thumbs-up-awesome.

In Minnesota we got to stay with our other cousins and their new puppies!

Double prizes!

This is sweet cousin Kennedy.

Not sure who is cuter :)

Kennedy taking care of momma who is taking care of her puppies :)

Cousin Rowan surrounded by sweet, adorable puppies.

It's a good thing all the puppies were already spoken for, 

or I might have brought one back to Montana!

Even our cool teenager couldn't resist the cute canines :)

Isaiah with cousin Hollis at the pool.

Precious.

Paul and Aunt Rachel chillaxin' at the pool :)

Uncle Dan showing off his diving skills :)

A fun game of "war" in the water:)

Fun summer memories.

God is so good...

summer and every season of the year.

A Hail Mary for Michael

We dropped Michael off today for a week of leadership church camp at Legendary Lodge.  I think this is the 5th year that he's attended camp at Legendary Lodge, located on beautiful Salmon Lake, but this his his first year of leadership camp and his first year attending without his big brother Joseph.  Joseph wanted to go, but he had driver's ed this summer instead (growing up is a drag).  Anyway, Michael was more than a little bit nervous as the day for camp arrived; he even asked if it was too late to cancel and get our money back!  He also is still recovering from a flu-like virus, and isn't quite feeling 100%  So, please say a Hail Mary for our Michael, that he is able to give his anxieties to the Lord and receive whatever graces God has planned for him this week.  It was hard for me to walk away and leave him at camp today, but I need to trust that even though I can't always be there to take care of him, his Heavenly Mother can.  Yes, Michael is in very good hands.  Maybe it's me you should say the Hail Mary for!  :}

If you look closely, you might see a white cross on the top of the mountain.

The campers usually take a hike to this cross during the week,

and some of the over-achievers get up early in the morning 

to race the young, athletic priest to the top.

So far I don't think anyone has beat Fr. Lennamon, 

but I'm sure Michael would love to try! :)

Michael's little brothers following him to his cabin to help him get settled.

Michael is in the Coyote cabin this year,

and he was super happy to be one of the first ones to pick his sleeping spot.

He found a tiny room with only 2 bunk beds and saved spots for his best buddies :)

One final picture before we said our goodbyes to Michael.

The house will feel weird this week without him.

In a couple of weeks, Dominic will head to camp for the first time!

My babies are growing up!

Hopefully Michael won't run into any mermaids 

or the mythical "swamp monster" that they say roams the area ;)

Whirlwind Recap

Spring is always such a busy but beautiful time of the year around here.  I took tons of photos, but didn't have time to ever post them.  So, here is a whirlwind recap of the menagerie of memories we made this Spring...

Seeing the first bulbs silently burst out of the ground in the Spring made my heart burst for joy 

(and run for my camera) :)

Each new leaf budding from branches that appeared dead days before 

was like a declaration of hope and survival.

These raspberry leaves prove that darkness and ice cannot prevent the promise of new life.

I planted tulips last Fall to remind me of my holy Grandma from Holland :)

I was so happy when they actually came up after a long, cold winter.

Tulips can't help but make me happy.

I think I need to plant more of them :)

Spring also brought trips to the carousel for rides and ice cream for our Spring birthday boy.

Oh how happy my boys were to finally play at parks again!

Our silly monkey hanging from monkey bars :)

Got chicks?

We do.  16 to be exact.

We kept them indoors for a couple of weeks, 

which was fun to hear the "peeps" throughout the day... 

But soon they were moved outside,

growing faster than our grass.

It was fun to watch their new feathers and true colors emerge.

We bought all Americanas which lay the pretty blue-green eggs,

so we were surprised to see so many different color variations of their feathers.

Chicks are just fun.  Period.

Other big Spring news:  Nathanael learned how to ride a bike!

Boy he is cute on a bike.

Boy was he proud of himself,

and we were so proud of him too!

Spring also brought turkeys back into our yard.

This male turkey was sure trying to impress this hen 

(or protect her from the crazy camera lady).

He puffed up extra big, hoping she wouldn't notice his missing tail feather.

(how embarrassing) :)

The variety of colors is sure impressive.

Did you know that Benjamin Franklin proposed that the wild turkey be our national bird instead of the bald eagle?  Now that I can see them up close, I understand why.

Michael graduated into high school this Spring and even had to give a speech.

He did awesome, and we are so proud of him.

Memorial Day is always bittersweet for our family.

We remember our 3 sweet babies in heaven,

as well as Paul's dad and other family members who have gone before us.

The boys picked wildflowers to honor their siblings in heaven.

We are grateful for our 3 baby intercessors who are praying for our family,

and someday it will be such a joy to see their faces and hold them in our arms.

Divine Mercy Sunday happens every Spring.

One of my favorite feast days for a variety of reasons.

A reminder that no sin is greater than God's mercy.

Our first fishing trip once the weather got nice.

Michael caught a nice arctic greyling.

Our second fishing trip of the Spring,

Michael caught a bunch of brook trout.

This boy was born to fish.

We catch these at a stream near our house.  So much fun, not so much meat.

Good thing I'm a catch and release gal anyway :)

A sweet moment of Daddy bonding with his little boy in the sun.

Oh how I love those precious little fingers!

These are the memories that Spring is made of.

Now, on to Summer memories!!!