Kitten Adventure

It has been an extremely dry summer.  The first weekend in August, I volunteered to help at an outdoor event.  I took the kids along with me, as they would also be able to "help".  

Well - it was a rainy Saturday morning.  We certainly didn't want to complain about the rain - as we were very much in need of it!  

The kids and I were standing outside our car under umbrella's during this event.  The kids thought they heard a kitten me-owing.  Well - a little later they found the kitten crawl out from underneath our car.  It was one of the kittens from our house.  This little kitten must have crawled underneath the car to get away from the rain.  

It rode about 15 miles there and stayed safe.  

Of course it couldn't ride back home in the same place it rode to our destination...so - the kids found a bag and some cardboard to help keep the kitten contained, and also protect in case of an accident.  Allyson is a pretty good pillow to this kitten.  It slept most of the way home - until about 4 miles from home, then it was ready to get out and run!  It made it home safely.  

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.