Inaugural Corn Capital Days!

Thanks to my Lingl cousins...the kids and I got to experience our Inaugural Olivia Corn Capital Days! What a day! Kicked off the early morning running a 5k with Jolene, then park festivities, parade and supper with the kiddos and cousins. I continue to be impressed with these amazing small town celebrations! Another great day back home!

Powerful Event of Relay for Life

The kids and I (along with my Mom for her first year) attended the Relay for Life event in Redwood for the third straight year.

Although it wasn't held at Gilfillan Estates, it still was such an incredibly powerful event.

The kids enjoyed making the bags for Great Gma Chip and Papa Steve, survivors of our family.

And for their 3 great grandfathers who've left us for Heaven...Gpa Shorty, Gpa Any and Gpa Raymond.

Tugs at your heart!

Was a special night with the Madsen clan.

Kiddie games, silent auction, DJ and music, hula hoop contests and much more.

Great times!

Will never forget our loved ones who've gone before us and am so thankful for the survivors.

KEEP FIGHTING!

Derby Days Rocks...

Catfish Derby Days never disappoints...we experienced almost everything in 48 hours from 2 street dances, 5k race, volleyball, bean bags, kiddie parade with Timberwolves theme, big parade, climbing wall, tractor pull, sand box, softball, water fights, good food and good friends. Very thankful.

Jake ran his first 5K (ever I believe) and finished in 30 minutes, which was his goal!

I had the privilege of running with Jolene and Jody...we took home 1st, 2nd and 3rd place honors in our age bracket! Was a HOT run. Will never forget running and completing this race with Jake. 

Landed on a random vball team this year but LOVED playing with them! Took 2nd to the tall Hutchinson team...not too shabby for the first time we 6 played together. Competitive and fun!

The kids did a great job decorating the wagon for the kiddie parade....fun.

It's DERBY DAYS!

Roslyn completely faced her fears! Her first try up the wall she was scared and with a lot of persuasion from her father (20 feet below on the ground), Roz found the strength to keep going! She hit the buzzer at the top of the wall both tries! So proud of her!

We finished up the festivities with a water fight. Thank you Franklin Fire Dept...this was the "cool off" we needed before heading to a family reunion!

Happy 70th Birthday to my Incredible Father...

Happy 70th Birthday to my HERO, my dad.

I'm honored to be your daughter.

Thank you for all the sacrifices you've made for our family and country.

So proud of you and the career you've had!

Redwood area is fortunate to have you here practicing law for 40+ years!

Roslyn wrote this poem all by herself for her Papa.

Made me cry...Roslyn has a heart of gold!

Carrine LOVES to color and make signs now!

For only being 3, she stayed the longest at the table making Dad's sign.

So sweet...notice the basketball at the center? :)

So true...thanks for being an amazing Papa to your 6 grandchildren.

Love you more than you can ever know dad...Happy 70th and many, many more ahead!

Small Town County Fair....

The small town of Redwood Falls continue to amaze me this summer with all that it has to offer for families in the area! Had a blast last Friday at the Redwood County Fair with my parents and the kiddos. Kids were at the perfect ages for the fair!

Making Memories!!!

Richmond Days Parade in the Rain!

We didn't let the rain stop us from partaking in the Richmond Days Parade!

Was a beautiful evening leading up to the parade at Great Gma Stang's.

Even baby Drew got to enjoy a little bit of his first Richmond Days outside.

Once the rain started coming down harder though, our kiddos got crummy and the four of us climbed under our red umbrella! Tight quarters but totally worth sticking the parade out in the rain.

Making memories with the cousins!

Was a beautiful rainbow at Great Gma's after the rain stopped and the skies cleared.

Another great small town celebration in the books!

TGIF!

What a week! Had a blast meeting the SHREK Cast this week! Looking forward to watching "Shrek the Musical" next week with the kiddos! Roz and Carrine love Pheona! Or as CC would say,
" I just looooooooooooooooove F-E-O-NIAH!"

Can't wait to stop by the Fair today. Hopefully see Smiley the Clown (good thing Jake's not with, - he's scared of clowns still to this day), Mickey Mouse, farm animals, good food and $1 rides!

Then it's back to St. Augusta for the Richmond Days celebration this weekend.

Going to feel good to sleep in our own beds the next couple nights.

TGIF!

Prayers...

Prayer is Powerful...

Danube Fun Days Never Disappoints!

Another amazing weekend in the books!

Thank you Danube Fun Days for a great time had by all!

Kids continue to love their Tractor Pull events...CC had her best pull yet on Saturday!

Roz does it mainly for the Dr. Pepper...and she loves getting Andray's pop too :)

Especially during a sad time in our Criminal Justice profession, always honoring the PD, the US flag and our Veterans! Thoughts and prayers go out to all people affected by Dallas shootings and riots in St. Paul.

"Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God"

Small town parades are the best!

Face painting at it's finest! Roz was so excited to be a tiger!

Our beautiful little butterfly!

The face painters were incredible at DFD.

Looking forward to Richmond Days parade this upcoming weekend!

#MNSummerDaysAreTheBest

Gass Girl Reunion in the Books!

Another great Gass Girl Reunion is in the books.

Was a beautiful gathering in Ramsey Park. 

I love these 3 ladies so much!

Family is Forever!

Ramsey Falls is a must see!

Ran into a couple that drove out from St. Paul just to see the falls.

God bless the USA!

Enjoyed my rare one-on-one time with my Goddaughter, Miss Amelia Mae!

Such a honey!

Played some mean games of bean bags!

The 4th generation had fun making Mermaids and one Mer"man" ;)

It always amazes me how we can go months and years without seeing the distant cousins, but we all pick up right where we left off. Fun to see the 4th generation mingle together!

Thankful for every day I get here on earth with Gram and her sisters!

Happy 4th of July...God Bless the USA!

Happy 4th of July to all Americans!

Thank you to all Veterans, military personnel and their families, and all those who have fallen for our FREEDOM!

Got to run a 2-mile race this morning in small-town Morton, MN this morning with a great crew! Andray left us in his dust this morning - so proud of all the kiddos! They ran hard!

So pumped for the kiddos! Andray finished in 11th place and under 20 minutes!

And the girls within 24 minutes. Pretty awesome for their little legs!

Got to watch an impressive small-town Parade as well this morning while we cooled down :)

Very thankful for this family time.

As my dad's 70th birthday approaches this month, the 6 grandkids painted Papa Larry their own flag, complete with top-half of footprints. Was just missing Isa this weekend, so will complete later on this summer!

Complete with signatures on the back...so sweet.

Best of all, Louis William Frank has the same initials as my Dad...LWF!

Pretty special. 

Thankful to all Veterans, especially my Dad...you're my HERO!

#GodBlessTheUSA