Vacant

 

I was working from home today and kept looking over at the exersaucer that was sitting empty in the living room. I often feel guilty for sending her to daycare when I'm working from home, but come on... like she'd let me concentrate. Granted she is an excellent baby who naps twice a day for a total of 4-5 hours and is such a mellow girl, I'd probably want to snuggle her all day and make her giggle as much as I can. A few hours - then my kids will be home again with me - right where they belong.

Snowbank Lake

We took Seth and Sam up to Ely for a camping trip with the boat. This is Snowbank Lake which is a gateway lake to the Boundary Waters Canoe and Wildlife Area. 

The water was a bit crisp for me but the boys jumped in. The lake had a 20+ foot clarity in depth which makes fishing more fun when you can see your catch trying to get away as you reel them in. 

This is one of my most favorite pictures of Seth and Sam. They were playing fetch with a dog who was getting ready to leave with his owners in the canoe. 

Finished!!

They did it!! They graduated!! 

 In three months Seth will be starting 3rd Grade

and Sam will be starting 2nd Grade

 

I'm so proud of what they have accomplished over the school year.

Homework was a challenge, but it was getting pretty smooth at the end of the school year.

I'm hoping September won't be as bad as the start of this school year.

I'm Watching You

While letting the dogs in for the night, something unexpected caught my eye.

What was even stranger, was that it was eye level on our storm door.

Not sure where he was going, nor if he ever made it there.

Dilemma

 

One of my friends from high school has a neighbor that is starting up her own photography business. She was offering a deal on facebook and we have never had a family photo session before.

 

I don't have a very strong fashion side, so I struggled with finding outfits where we all fit together without dressing the same.

 

I bought some clothes at Old Navy - then returned them

I bought some clothes at Gordman's - then returned some

I bought some clothes at Kohl's - then returned them some

I bought some clothes at Herberger's - and finally decided to keep them.

 

Thankfully I was able to pull the clothes together in the six days that I had to prepare.

Big Woods

We've lived in Randolph for three years now.

I never knew we were so close to someplace so tranquil.

 

There is More to it...

There is more to Memorial Day than just getting the day off of work and firing up the grill.

 

This is a day that we reflect back on all those who gave their lives for the United States of America. For all the men and women who never expected to actually be in the front line, but were prepared if they were called to duty. This is a day where we hold Nick closer and thank the Lord for protecting him while he served in Iraq.

Memorial Day for us is spent participating in a Memorial Service. Nick pulls together some of the cub scouts from our pack as well as Sam as a girl scout to participate in the flag ceremony and the Pledge of Allegence. Our kids will know what Memorial Day is about - which isn't just a day off to fire up the grill.