Well, I found some wifi :-)!!!

Public libraries are good for many things....

The sky is so blue up here you can't believe! The kids are having a blast swimming in the lake all day and playing with Annie (the neighborhood dog that is the coolest ever!!).

Randy and Jeff have been fishing, we even grilled some Walleye the other night, yum! The weather has been unbeleivably beautiful and it's just all around awesome up here.

Catch you later............

Ok, one last thing............

Three batches of Colie's delicious homemade granola. check.
Five boxes of Mom's Best Cereal, mmmmm. check.
One gi-normous bag of rolled oats. check.
One huge bag of flaxseed meal. check.
Gobs of carrot, bean, and spinach baby food (Gage still loves this stuff). check.

Breakfast at the lake. Covered.


Houston, we are ready for take off and here is the luggage to prove it. Remeber this is a family of six for three weeks:

Goodbye!!!!

We're headed north for our annual summer vacation to the lake. If I'm unable to get internet service up in the woods I won't be posting for the next three weeks! So, enjoy the rest of the summer, we'll be back........

Two Months

Our Addie girl is two months old today and just growing like a weed! She is either all smiles or all crying depending on when you catch her, we just LOVE her!!!!

Happy Birthday Colie!!!!

Happy Birthday to my fantastic sister Nicole!

I love that I can call you any time of the day and just start right in on why I was calling. No need for ten minutes of "pleasantries" just dive right in: "Can you get me the number for Red Robin asap?". I love that you are not afraid to give your opinion, though sometimes it can tick me off :-). I love that I can talk to you about ANYTHING and you'll listen.....and give your opinion :-). I love that we are raising our kids at the same, but I wish we lived closer together. I love your passion for exercise and hope you continue to rub off on me. I love the way you just "roll with it", especially with three boys! I love that you can open any jar in the kitchen, take down John and Mike, and remove hinges from a closet door, but can still cry while watching Anne of Green Gables. I love that you put up with my hypochondria and remind me I am crazy :-). Most of all I love that God blessed me with such an awesome sister.

We love you and Happy Birthday!!!!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxo, Randy, Liz, Ashlynnie, Ryde, Gage Man, and Addie

My favorite Gage thingy right now.

Finally, he said it. "Hold you momma, hold you." Though it sounds more like "holdjoo". :-) It is one of my absolute favorite phrases of toddlerhood.

Since the moment they could walk it's been like a mantra to them: "Do you want mommy to hold you?". So ofcourse when they learn to talk it's no wonder they choose that phrase instead of "hold me".

I can still remember the first time Ashlynn and Ryder made their request and I just figured Gage wasn't going to go through this phase. So glad he is.

Just today he asked and I pretended like I didn't quite understand him so he would say it again.

It totally melts my heart.

I need this.

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

Proverbs 29:11

Ok, so when you are packing for a three week trip for four kids including an infant, this verse comes in handy. Now, I just need to walk around repeating it to myself all day long. We are leaving on Saturday and I am racing with the clock to get organized and figure out what I need to bring and what can stay home.

I will try really hard to post some updated pics of the kiddos (especially Addie) before we go. :-)

I'll try.

A little behind.

Ok, I know we went to Mimi and Papa's a few weeks ago , but here are some photos. I'll post the rest later :-). We had a great time!!!!



Adysen with Mimi and Papa



Ashlynn learning the "real" way to play cards.



Marilyn with Adysen and I.



Marla, Phillip and Rilynn with my gang.

Six in a row.

Nights that is. Yes, Adysen has slept the last six nights in a row, averaging from about 11 to 6.

Thank you Lord.

The poor little thing even has the cold that Ryde, Gage and I have been battling. How could she possibly escape it when they are kissing her with there snotty noses all day long?

First kid, you never let anyone with sniffles come close. Second kid, still fairly protective, anyone with obvious snot would not be kissing. Third kid, super snotty still not tolerated at mere weeks of age. Fourth kid, two super snots, oh, they just love her so much....Isn't that cute? :-)

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!!

I know, I know, but I just had to use that picture. It jut goes to show that you are just the most awesome Grandpa in the world! Who else would wear Ashlynn's "Princess for the Day" tiara while playing baseball with Ryde?? Gotta love it!

Dad, thanks for always being available at the ring of your phone. Me and my silly home improvement questions still haven't stumped you, though you may wonder sometimes what I am thinking :-). All of my life I have been convinced that you could answer any question about anything and you know what, I still think you can. I love you so much and am so happy to see you celebrate another year with mom, us seven kids and TEN grandkids!

I hope your birthday is filled with fun and you better get to play a round of golf soon! I miss you and wish so much we all lived closer together.

We love you!!!!! Randy, Liz, Ashlynn, Ryde, Gage and Adysen
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Happy Birthday Lisa!!!!

Happy Birthday Lis!!! Thanks so much for all you do for our family! You are a dependable, organized, compassionate, thoughtful, helpful, loving, generous, let me call you and vent :-) (I suppose that translates to "good listener") and all around AWESOME cousin.

I'm glad we're only eight hours away from eachother, though you know we would like to be closer!!

Have a fantastic day and try not to work too hard (though I know you can't help yourself!). We LOVE you!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Randy, Liz, Ashlynnie, Ryde, Gage and Adysen
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Getting ready, the cost.

Countless bottles of water filled up at the sink: Unknown addition to the water bill.

The above water transported from the sink and dumped down the shower: environmental impact (cost to the environment) unknown.

Being able to get ready and have your two year old entertained without being loose in the house (more than likely to cause unrepairable damage): PRICELESS!

Happy Birthday Gage!!!!

Happy Birthday to my spunky, energetic, happy two year old!!


Gage, I love the way you dance to anything with a beat: the ice cream maker, the sewing machine, the washing machine and any type of music. I love that you wake up every morning and say "happy", I love the way you just jump into the pool with confidence that I will catch you every time, I love that your favorite place is outside, I love the concern you have for your new baby sister when she is crying, most of all I love to hear you say "love you" to mommy and daddy with your sweet kisses and hugs.

What will two bring (besides hopefully potty training :-)!)? What a joy to watch you grow!!

The Fourth.

A fantastic breakfast with Randy's parents. A nap for all so we could stay up late for the fireworks (though only Ashlynn seemed to take one). Hot dogs, chips and huge slides in the church parking lot. Sheridans for dessert (just for you Uncle A). Watching the fireworks from the balcony at Grandma and Grandpa's. Hearing the kids oohhh and ahhhh.

Arriving home with four sleeping kids in the car and asking Randy what the game plan was, you know, who will get who. Without missing a beat, his response:

I'll get the lawn chairs.

Gotta love him....

Had a great fourth!!!

Happy Birthday Ashlynn!!!!

Happy Birthday to my first baby girl!! How can you be six already??? Daddy and I are so proud of you!

I love to hear you walk down the hall from your bedroom singing; I love your curly hair, though you try endlessly to straighten it; I love that you would sit for hours and let me read to you; I love that when you want to try something new, you quietly say a prayer and charge forward; I love how ardently you believe that Jesus answers your prayers; I love you Ashlynn, every little detail!

Looking forward to loving year six.......