35th Birthday

Thanks to all my family and friends that helped to make my birthday a special day.  

I enjoyed Chinese for lunch at work and then went out for Mexican with the girls for supper.  

Dana treated me to a pedicure after we ate.  

Hotel Getaway

We were only home for a day and then the kids and I were off again - only this time to Des Moines for a work meeting.  The kids went along and stayed in the hotel with me and had a blast swimming.  

 We even had some visitors during our stay - so fun to see Reese and Piper and play with them in the pool.  

The Color Run Minneapolis

This July, during our weekend vacation to Minneapolis, we included plans to participate in this run.  

I started training in March, as I am/was not a runner.  

Running went well.  I had run 2 previous 5k's already this summer, so wasn't too worried about the running.  

Dana and I went to pick up packets the day before.  Wow - what a lot of people.  

We woke up early to get to the Minnesota/St.Paul Fairgrounds - the location for the run.  

We were signed up to run in the 8:00 time slot.  We found out at packet pick up that they would sent 1000 runners through the start every 5 minutes.  Wow!  

 Here is our group of gals - all nice and white before the start of the run.

 A packet of color to throw at the end.

 Look at all those people - we were in wave 2!  

 Getting a little colorful!

We did it - look at all that color!  So much fun! 

Our group all colorful!  

What a fun experience!  It was so much fun!  I am glad I decided to give this adventure a try!  It was fun to train (yup - you read that right - fun!) and I am still running!  

4th of July

This year, my 4th of July started out bright and early.  I traveled about 30 minutes to a neighboring town to run in a 5k road race.  My friend from work ran along with me.  

We did great - by great I mean we finished the race and only walked for a little bit in the 3rd mile.  Our finishing time was 36 minutes 19 seconds.  

Next, I went home, showered, and Grandpa Wayne took the kids to a spot near our house to fish.  

 4th of July was hot, but being by the water to fish was fun!  

Caden and Dad waiting for a bite.

Allyson caught one!  She loves to show off that she can hold the fish by herself.

 Look at the expression on his face - this is one of the bigger ones we caught.  

 Holding the fish by himself - showing off the size.

Allyson is working on taking out the hook by herself. 

We have quite the little fishers on our hands.  They love going to this spot, as there isn't much waiting, you put your worm on, cast off, and within a short time, you have a bite.  Such fun!   

Sibling Love

They really do love each other!  

Water Fun

Caden had a friend over for the afternoon, and they kept busy playing outside with water and playing Wii!  

The boys played very well together and were good sports to let Allyson in on some of the fun.  

Summer Ball

This Summer, Allyson played girls softball and Caden played Boys baseball.  

I love this picture.  It shows her true feelings of the game.  (* note shoe untied and visiting with the coach*)

 Allyson's softball team

Caden batting...

 Caden as catcher...

 Caden's baseball team.  

Renaissance Wedding

Broc's sister got married in early June.  The wedding had a renaissance theme, and guests were invited to dress accordingly.  

The kids were asked to be in the wedding.  

 Our family - all dressed up

Grandma Mary and the kids

Submerged by Dani Pettrey

Submergerd by Dani Pettrey (Alaskan Courage Book 1)

WOW!  This book was a spectacular read from page 1!  I loved how I was able to follow the story line, easily, while the book held my interest all the way to the last page.  I love a good romantic suspense book.  Add to that Christian Fiction, and this book is the perfect combination of my favorites. 

Baily Craig returns to her home town in Alaska after vowing to never return.  She has a past she has moved away from, and has changed her life around for the better.  Baily thinks the people that knew her in Alaska  still think of her past.  Forced to return to her home town in Alaska after her aunt dies,  Baily has no choice but to face some of the people in her past.  She only hopes to face them quickly, tie up some loose ends with the death, and get back to her normal life.  

While in Alaska, some mysterious things happen, that Baily learns the death of her aunt may not be so accidental.  When Baily was younger, she and her aunt Agnes enjoyed studying Russian history.  Aunt Agnes taught Baily many things about this history during the time Baily lived with her.  

One particular person that Baily is fearful to face while back in Alaska is her ex-boyfriend Cole.  After overcoming that fear, Baily and Cole find a way to work together.  With Cole's expertise in diving, and Baily's knowledge in Russian history, the two become forced to work together to  find out more information about the death of her aunt, and how the other mysterious things are related.  

I can not wait for book 2 to read more of this series!  

Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Need You Now by Beth Wiseman

Need You Now by Beth Wiseman is an excellent read.  It is a story about family and some real issues that families can face.  This story is about a married couple Brad and Darlene and their 3 growing kids.  They have recently moved from the city to a small town and are living in a house that Darlene grew up in.  Darlene has been a stay at home mom for years.  After their family's move, she begins to question her stay at home mom role.  Her husband has a successful job and is about to make partner.  The kids seem to be adjusting as well as can be expected to their new school. 

Darlene decides to take a job outside the home at a small school working with special needs children.  Darlene's job has her working one on one with a special needs girl.  She loves the improvements she sees in the girl, and this makes her feel successful and needed in her new job.  

Meanwhile at home, life is always interesting.  Brad and Darlene's son has a new girlfriend.  Grace, their middle daughter doesn't like to cause problems, but has made a new friend whose choice of clothing is not what Darlene would like their daughter to dress like.  Add to this - their neighbor next door, Layla, is a movie star.  As Darlene and  Layla become friends, Darlene finds opportunities to witness to Layla about God and His love.   

Darlene's job pulls her away from her family for an evening event.  Layla and Darlene go to the event for the school together and meet up with the father of the special needs girl that Darlene works with.  

Through the course of the story, Darlene and this girl's father find themselves together at different times.  

Without giving away some of the surprise turns in this story, I do want to mention that I found it very interesting and certainly planned by God that Layla and Darlene become friends.  Each woman has the opportunity to witness to the other in their time of need.  

I would highly recommend this book for a great, quick read.  

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.