Just a Glimpse of Our Summer Vacation 2013

 

Jake and the kids and I enjoyed the past week at Lake Norway with my family. We lucked out with great weather, however the lake water had swimmers itch - so needless to say the little swimming we did get to do had its consequences! Many more photos to post, but so thankful for my time with Jake and the kids and my family as we celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. Felt very blessed this week.

 

 

A very Happy Belated 43rd Wedding Anniversary to my parents...thanks for all the sacrifices you make for our entire family and for showing us that hard work pays off in a marriage. We love you both!

 

Carrine was such a joy at the lake this week. My brother Aaron called her a "part-time" baby, she's so laid back and easy going. We are truly thankful for her - a great addition to the family. Can't wait to post more photos, lots to share!

8 Years Ago Today...

 

8 years ago today I married my best friend...there is no one else that I'd want to share this roller coaster of LIFE with! Also, a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Jake...he's finishing his Master's of Science degree today from Concordia University, St. Paul! So proud of you!

Lots to celebrate...very thankful!

Gussie Days Was Awesome!!!!!

 

Gussie Days was a lot of fun this weekend for our family and exhausting. Our kids ran in their first race this weekend....the 2013 Gussie Gallop!

 

 

Andray heading towards the finish line in the 1K race. At first he was in the back of the pack with Roz and I, scared to run. After about a third of the race, he let go of my hand and took off!

 

 

 Andray finished 1st in his age group - so proud of him.

 

Roslyn and I caught up to her friend Carson - I was so proud to watch those two finish the race together. I know it was only a 1K race for youth, but it's still a rush heading towards the finish line and hearing people cheer on your kids!

 

Rozzy finished 1st in her age group as well!

 

Our neighbor Will won the entire 1K race - what a stud!

 

Carrine was as small as the t-shirt that Roz and Andray got -they both got ribbons as well for finishing the race.

 We had a lot of fun outside with our friends during the day. Summer is finally here - was hot enough to get the pool out!

 

 Carrine's new nickname - BUBBLES!

 

 Our Sun- Bathing Beauty  - complete with the smallest flip flops that I've ever seen - thank you Brenda!

 

Not sure what Roz loves more...her new red sun dress from her Godmother or string cheese!

 

The boys taking a break from the pool for a mean game of "Cars" UNO!

 

Capped off a great day by heading up to the beer gardens with good friends! Sunday was fun and busy too after mass playing at the festival with the kids. We are all extremely exhasuted, but got a lot of quality family time this weekend! Another great Gussie Days in the books!

Traditions Continue...

 

Last week I was fortunate enough to head to my Gram's farm and visit for a while with Carrine.

Our family's tradition is that every grandchildren, and now great grandchild, take a bath in Gpa Shorty and Gram's basement sink. Carrine loved her bath!

 

 

 

Was just precious watching Carrine look up at Gram.

 

All squeaky clean - thanks Gram!

Carrine Is All Moved In!!

 

 Carrine is officially sharing a room with Roslyn now - and  both girls are pretty excited!

 

 Hard to believe "CC" is already sleeping through the night and is out of the bassinet and our closet!

It's nice to have both girls just across the hallway from us.

 

Roslyn's exact words when she saw Carrine's crib in her room... "Wow Mom, this is soooooooooooooo cool!"  Hope she still thinks that it's cool to share a room with her baby sister 10 years from now, ha!

 The girls' special baby and baptismal gifts on their shelves.

 

A special THANK YOU to Jake's Gma Rausch for making Carrine a special hanger to match Roslyn's and Andray's - a very special heirloom for our kids.

Happy Father's Day!!!

 

Happy Father's Day to my husband Jake - I couldn't have ever dreamed of a better man to raise our children - thank you from the bottom of my heart!

 

 

 The kids' gift to Jake.

Andray got to go golfing with Jake and Papa Steve today for the first time - can't wait to hear all about it!

 

A special Happy Father's Day to Jake's dad Steve and my father Larry - you are two of the most amazing men we know, thanks for being the BEST fathers to us and BEST Papa's to our children.

Hope you all had a great Flag Day on the 14th - thanks to my dad for serving our country. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed! So proud to be your daughter Dad!

Happy 37th Wedding Anniversary Mom & Dad!!

Happy 37th Wedding Anniversary to Jake's parents - they are true examples of what marriage is all about!

 

Have fun celebrating!

Happy 3rd Birthday Easton James!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday to our #1 nephew Easton James...we love you Little Man!

Our Boys' & Girls' Weekend was Fun!!

 

I had a great weekend with my girls while Jake and Andray camped a couple weekends ago.

 

 

Sisters are BEST Friends for LIFE!

 

 Roslyn trying to see if she still fits in the baby bouncy chair...not quite!

 

 Roz got to have a long-awaited slumber party with her big cousin Isabel that weekend too!

They had fun together.

 

 Isa loved holding her baby cousin - she even got to feed Carrine for a while.

 

Andray truly enjoyed his Boys' Weekend with Jake camping out at El Rancho!

Thanks to Sarah and the girls for helping watch him while Jake worked!

 

 Talk about being in Heaven for Andray - riding in the tractor with Uncle Eric.

 

Andray with his big cousin Skyler - making great memories.

Thank You Angie!!!!!

 

I dropped Andray off at Angie's Daycare for the last time this morning - talk about bitter/sweet!

Jake and I are so grateful for all that Angie has done for our kids and our family - her home is truly a 2nd home for Andray and Roz - I'm going to miss the comfort and love of her place for Andray next year!

 

 

 

This is the card and photo frame that Andray made for Angie - too sweet.

We love you Angie!

Let The Summer Games Begin!!!

 

I'm pretty sure the kids are going to LOVE having their Dad as their t-ball coach this summer!

 

 

Even Baby Carrine had her Twins apparel on for the first night of t-ball.

 

 

And they're off... 

 

 

 One of my favorite shots of Coach Dad with Roz.

Andray needed some extra coaxing from Coach Dad to get running...but he loved it!

 

Andray and his buddy Carson were sent to the outfield and started watching the other field! Hilarious. 

 

 

Now the boys are watching the correct field! Two peas in a pod!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Batter Up!

 

 

 Jake is teaching the kids to be lefty's! Uncle Aaron and Auntie Rachel will be proud!

 

 

 

 

 

 Roz admiring her base hit!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our defensive gal...

 

 

 I think Roz looks like a "Farm Girl" in this photo!

 

 

 By far my favorite photo of Roz with her "Coach!"

 

The kids were excited for snack after practice!

 

 

Good times with friends!

 

 

Baby Carrine got her first bug bite at the ball park! Jake said it'll toughen her up :)

 

 

 Looking forward to a fun time at the ball park as a family this summer.