Esther and I joined Greg on his trip to Washington DC at the beginning of August.  What a blessing we have to join Greg while he is working in such amazing cities!

Esther finished 2nd grade this spring.  Her history for 2nd grade was U.S. History.  It was a great overview of how America came to be today.  What an awesome way to end her year in D.C. to see some of the things she learned about.  For Esther and I it was our first trip.  I can’t wait to go back!  So many things to see and we were only there for 24hours.

In our 24 hours, we saw the White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the Mall, World War II Memorial, Capital, and the Archives.

Greg contacted our House of Representative, Jaime Herrera Beutler, office.  They set up a tour of the Capital for us.  What an awesome experience.  Jamie was not there that day, but we got to meet her amazing staff.  Very interesting, they were very down to earth! They took the time to visit with us and it didn’t even feel like we were interrupting there day.  They even let Esther sit at her desk!

Favorite:

Esther: The World War II Memorial because its cool.

Chris:  The World War II Memorial, we went at night it was amazing to see it all lit up.  A very humbling experience.

Greg:  Having his girls come with on his work trip! 🙂

Our time was short, but glad we did the trip.  Even if my legs felt like there were going to fall off after walking 15 miles in 24 hours!

I love  making jam with my family.  This year was the first time I didn’t have to do every step.  It is so much more fun when their help really counts.  We did two and half flats of strawberries this year!  Excited to have those on peanut butter sandwiches, pancakes, and/or just by the spoonful!  (Shhhh…don’t tell my kids 🙂

Love these teaching moments with my kids!

-Chris

Our children received kayaks for Christmas.  They got to try them out for the first time in June!  They loved them!  It was so fun to see how quickly learned how to maneuver through the water with them.   I hope they see God’s creations in a different way on with these kayaks.

 

https://youtu.be/K8YxlqoFvkI

June 8th to June 12th we took a family lake trip to Northern Minnesota to Ox Lake.  It was a great week with my parents and my brother.  We had two boats for the whole week.  A little fishing boat and then a canoe.  We also rented a pontoon boat complete with a  tour guide for one day!  We caught a lot of fish this week!

In between fishing we would play games, do our nails, a puzzle, or just visit!

Then back to more fishing!

We also explored the lake as a family in the canoe!  No we didn’t tip the canoe.  But there was a lot of stay seated reminders!

Our last meal was of course a fish fry!  Our chefs did an amazing job! The fish was excellent!  Even the kids liked it!

Truly special treasure!

The bonding moments that happen around the camp fire are just precious to me!

Can’t wait to do more family vacations!

-Chris

What a joy to witness Esther’s first communion, April 14, 2015.  Her faith has grown these past few years.  I love watching God mold her heart to love Him more.

Greg and I wanted to make her first communion special.  We served it at our house with our small group.  Esther had to answer questions and read scripture with us to show she understood the meaning of communion.  I am in awe of what the Holy Spirit is teaching Esther about Jesus and His love for her.

The Elements

God’s timing is perfect!  The following Sunday Esther joined our congregation in taking communion.  The next month we served communion together as a family.  What an amazing experience for her and our family.

-Chris

This has been Jadon’s phrase he has been learning this past week in school.  He has really taking it to heart.  I overheard him today say “Grandma, you know what?  I don’t quit; I persevere.”  I couldn’t help but smile as I see God working in his life.

Today was a big day!  He read his first book!  I loved watching his proud face, as he asked “Esther, do you want me to read this book to you?”  Later in the evening, same face as he read his book to his Daddy over FaceTime.  Very proud of his perseverance.

Jadon started coach pitch baseball this spring.  Excitement is an understatement.  He has had a little set back though in batting, fingers got in the way.  Which resulted in being very timid.  We have been praying for courage and perseverance.  Today Jadon persevered.  He took some swings and made contact!  It was awesome watching his confidence come back!  I hope and pray that will continue to grow this season.

Jadon, don’t quit; continue to persevere.  Not only in school and sports, but more importantly in your walk with the LORD.

-Chris

 

12 years ago I drove from Grand Forks, ND to Spokane, WA all night and day with 5 other college friends.   I got off in Spokane to catch the Alaska flight to surprise Greg for his 21st Birthday!  I was so excited to be with my finance on his birthday!  All I remember is forgetting my ID in the car and eventually catching up with my friends so I could take Greg out for a drink 🙂

Greg, your birthdays may not always be full of surprises or adventures, but I sure do love you and the way you take care of our family!  Love that I don’t have to drive 30 hours to come celebrate with you.  Happy Birthday to my best friend!

-Chris

We had a chance to fly with Greg and Don this month.  This is a rare opportunity and I wanted to seize it!  I usually try to find a quick trip with long layovers.  This was not the case for this trip.  What can I say homeschooling keeps us busy 🙂

On February 12, 2015 we met up with Greg and Don in SEA to head to OAK for the night.  We had been watching the loads, now there were three seats available and we needed four seats for us all to go.  I remember praying LORD either we all get on or none of us.  I could have sent Esther and Jadon with Greg and Don.  I wasn’t sure what I thought about that, knowing it is not easy to travel with kids and they were working.  God answered in a huge way!  There was a mechanic traveling to OAK to send out the OGG flight the next morning.  That happened to be Greg and Don’s flight.  He overheard us talking and offered to sit in the cockpit so we could all get on!  What a huge blessing!  As we were putting the kids to bed that night.  Jadon says to Greg “Do you know why we got on that flight Daddy?”  G: Why Jadon?  J:” Because I prayed.”  It was that simple for him.  He gave God the glory.  Oh my Mother’s heart was so proud to see him learning to trust the LORD, and teaching me to give him the Glory.  It really is that simple.

We all made it to OAK and were joined by Ferol to head to OGG (Maui) the next morning.  Again the loads looked good and there were seats, but at the airport the next morning there were rumors of another airline sending over passengers to Alaska.  AKA our seats we needed would be gone 🙁  I tried hard not to worry and put it in God’s hands.  After all he took care of us last night.  We had an agent who saw what our family was trying to do.  Right at the cutoff time she gave us the seats.  Praise the Lord!  What an amazing experience!  The flight attendants loved that we had our whole family on board and announced it to the cabin.  It is something that is really rare.   I loved that we got to be there to experience it!

We were off to OGG for 24 hours.  What would you do in Maui for 24hours?  We chose the beach, Big beach actually!  The kids had an amazing time playing in the waves.  Well all except Rahab who wanted nothing to do with it.  We also went to Greg’s favorite breakfast spot, Kihei Cafe.  YUMMY!  It was really windy the next day so we hung out at the pool and watched the Whale parade from the Grandparent’s balcony view.  It was a quick trip!  In fact as we were waiting for the van to head back home.  The incoming pilot asked Jadon if he liked his trip to Maui.  Jadon told him very sad and grumpy “My daddy only to me to Hawaii for a day!”

Now the real adventure begins!  One flight left, SEA.  As we were driving to the airport we checked the loads to SEA. it didn’t look good at all.  Of all the flights on this trip this was the leg I was least worried about.  It had plenty of seats even that morning, not any more.  When we arrived at the airport the TSA line was enormous.  The Greg & the crew went through the Crew line, he was working after all.  Which left me and the kids to go through this line.  The kids were extremely tired and didn’t want to push bags and get to the gate quickly.  I kept thinking please don’t leave without us.  We finally made it to the gate with lots of coaxing and patience.  Considering what we made our kids do in the last two days, they were doing amazing!  Getting on the plane didn’t look any better at the gate.  We needed five seats this time and there were only three.   We sent Jadon and Esther with Grandma.  I was so bummed to miss this flight.  The kids and I were going to get off in SEA and drive home.  Greg and Don were going to continue onto PDX.  I found out later the kids did not sleep one wink on the way to SEA.  When they landed they were extremely tired.  They made it on the plane to PDX and slept the whole 45minute flight!  They were out and not wanting to be woken up for anything.  I felt bad for Greg having two tired/crying children as he was leaving.    He did have Grandma and Grandpa to help him though.

Rahab and I were left behind in Maui.  The thought did cross my mind to stay longer.  I was being frustrated about the whole thing and trying to figure out what do next.  Then a huge blessing came.  I got to document the take off!  It was pretty cool to watch my husband and father-in-law do what they love.

Rahab and I hopped on an empty flight to SJC.  We got to spend the night with Vawter’s and see their new house!  It was quick stay, but so good to see them.  Rahab and I made it to SEA the next morning. 2-15-2015

We had an amazing trip.  We were all very tired, but glad we did it!  These opportunities are unique and limited but so worth it!

-Chris

 

Papa Les, my step Grandpa, was inducted into the North Dakota Auctioneers Hall of Fame.  I was very thankful to attend this banquet.  It was a great way to remember Papa Les.  He is the grandpa I really remember on my Mom’s side.  I loved listening to him auction things off!  I can still hear him.

It was awesome to see all of Papa Les’ family.  I haven’t seen most of them in years.  It brought back so many memories of going to the farm growing up.

Rahab and Esther were apart of the horse race dice game!  It was amazing to see how quickly money was being raised for the Auctioneers Association!  Each horse was bought any where between $300-$900.  Then each rider was also another $300-$900.  Each horse and rider stood behind a number (1-6).  When their number was rolled they moved up a square.  It was fun to see the girls be involved.  Rahab won, it was a close race!  Whoever bought the horse and her as the rider spilt the pot.  Oh and the horses came home with us!

It was a great night to honor Papa Les with my family!

-Chris

We made a trip out to MN to celebrate Mike’s 30^th birthday. It was a surprise bowling party! I love bowling especially with aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.  We met at a bowling alley in Minneapolis. It was fun surprising Mike.  Happy 30th Birthday to the best brother!  Love you Mike!

After bowling we headed over to the hotel. With lots of food, candles and an amazing group of people to celebrate Mike.

My kids especially enjoyed the pool. 🙂

-Chris