happy days.

A couple weeks back, I had the privilege of taking my cousin and her fiancé's engagement photos... I really enjoyed the time with them. I thought there may be a few people who would really enjoy seeing pictures of Liesel and Will!

They make a pretty fun couple!

:)

While Dad and Mom were away...

For the past three days Mom and Dad went up North to a cottage for their 28th Anniversary.  While they were gone, I got to take care of the little ones! We had fun!

Yesterday we went for a picnic in the park.

We walked down by the river...

and went fishing (thankfully we didn't catch any fish... I don't think I have ever gutted out a fish before).

We played lots of games and did chalk and all kinds of other things...

This morning after we got everyone off to work I brought the 5 youngest to walmart to get squirt guns and bubbles...

we spent the morning having a water fight and blew lots of bubbles.

we all had lots of fun and so did Dad and Mom! I am sure that Mom will post pictures soon!

a visit from alaska...

Last week Auntie Marni and Bailey came to visit from Alaska! We had a great time together!

a random picture that got stuck in with the batch, but it is pretty adorable!

We had Grandpa Neal and Grandma Judy here, it was fun to see them!!

Bailey and Aunt Marni spent the night with us last Thursday evening... we all had a girl's slumber party in Hannah and my room...

Eli and Joel grabbed their spots on both sides of Bailey... :D

The mother/daughter picture of their trip. 

Girl cousins...

On Monday, Memorial Day, we had a great day gardening and playing outside... it was sooo fun, very relaxing!

Thankful for a fun evening!

We had a wonderful evening on Saturday. I think

Sylvia thought everything around her was there

just for her! She had so much fun!

Exotic birds....

I think Grandpa had just as much fun as

Sylvia. :) Tractors...Asher got a big ride.

A wonderful screened in porch, great food,

nice fellowship, lovely walk...an all around

pleasant evening!

An Afternoon in Duluth

Mark and I had the pleasure of taking Talia, Behn, Tovala, Asher, and Sylvia to Duluth late this afternoon.

While Mark had a meeting, we had the pleasure of exploring a park.

Behn and Asher found a rock that made a fun slide.

Due to their height, Asher and Sylvie looked for other ways to see Lake Superior.

We had a fun day, but we missed all of the rest of the brothers, sisters, and sister - in-law. Next time, I hope you will all come too!

Thank you for my Mother's Day present!

My dear children blessed me with a camera for mothers day! I have no ambitions to compete with Yetta's nice photography abilities but I am excited to to be able to take my own pictures!

We are pleased to set aside the academic book work of home schooling and dig in to the more practical side.

The boys found a flat enough spot to till a nice garden for me. I have lots of good help!

Asher is planting some potatoes.

Gardening

Noah is carefully preparing the potatoes. Each potato seed is to have at least two eyes.

I think Sylvie, Asher, and Tovola brought half the garden into the bathtub!

Eli and Noah put up a fence to try to discourage the bunnies and deer.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mothers... and most especially to mine! :)

We had a nice day; Talia made waffles for everyone for breakfast and Seth did the bacon... then we went to church... we went and saw Grandma Judy and Grandpa Neal and then came home and went for a walk in the park... (picture by Eli)

I had fun taking pictures of Mom with everyone...

and the boys... :D

When we went on our walk this afternoon Dad and Mom and Hannah and I did a three legged race... even though Hannah and I look behind in this picture, we did win! ;) (taken by Eli)

Then we played capture the flag! (taken by Mom - w/ my camera)

Tovala has a hard time going outside without falling down and scraping her knees and hands! :(

A couple weeks ago Dad and Mom had their 33rd anniversary of being sweet-hearts.

For Mother's day we gave Mom a camera... I think she likes it! :D I am setting her up to post on the blog too... so you can see more pictures from the time Mom has with all the little ones while we are at work. 

Happy Mother's Day Mom!! We all love you and are so blessed to have you as our Mom! 

Spring Time.

Today we went for a walk in the park and I found lilacs! They smell soooo beautiful, just like spring.

the trees are all budding...

and there are spring flowers blooming all over the place...

Softball begins.

Last Tuesday the boys had their second softball game... it poured! 

and there was sunshine.... it was a beautiful evening.

We all had fun sitting under umbrellas watching the boys play in the rain...

Eli, Joel and Noah are playing this year...

a lovely evening...

sitting in the clouds...

This evening a friend took Noah and I flying... nothing needs to be said other than, it was beautiful. I like sitting in the clouds. I would be happy to fly a plane any day.

the pictures do not give the sky justice... it is way more beautiful up there....