This is Minnesota camping

 What a beautiful string of days God blessed us with on our camping trip with the Kracht cousins. After three days straight of thunderstorms, we didn't experience one drop of rain and the mosquitos were nothing compared to our weekend prior. The Sechlers, able to join us for Sunday afternoon and evening, were the icing on the cake!

P.S. Luke, you're lucky I didn't post the awesome picture of you in your shades...

The last wheels to go

...training wheels. NO. MORE.

Summer when

You know it's summer when you eat every evening meal out on the deck, the pool is used every day and nights never seem to end...is it bedtime yet? (No, not for me, for the kids!) I had to capture this moment with the neighbor girls who stayed for dinner tonight, another dip afterwards (including 45-minutes of belting out camp songs, and sealed the deal with s'mores. 

With such gorgeous evening weather, it's time to hit the trails. Better do a double take, Aliya has ditched the training wheels and graduated to a 16" bike! As I pedaled beside her tiny little body, I thought to myself, you're too little for this! We are so proud of her. (Auntie Kayla, if you're reading, email me the video to share!)

Summer...go!

Sometimes I don't know what I'm thinking! About a month ago, realizing that our trampoline either needed a new tarp or be scrapped, I had the "brilliant" idea to ask the girls if they'd rather have a pool or a trampoline. (Seriously, what would any child choose?) Somehow, we passed the idea by dad and as we lugged the box out of Walmart, I had the biggest dose of pool regret ever. Then, spending an entire Saturday leveling ground and setting up, the knot in my stomach gets bigger...what was I thinking? It was priceless to see everyone pulling their part during set up, picking up rocks, moving dirt and stomping the ground. Madi did more dirt removal and Breanne more "hospitality" keeping the workers hydrated and fueled. A day or two after set up, filled with ice-cold water, Derrick dares Madison to go in the pool. He was kidding, but before he knew it, she came out with her swim suit on. "Numbingly cold," was her comment. Now, as I watch the girls in the pool, enjoying each other, and listen to them thank God for pools, the regret fades.

 Last week, we spent an afternoon at the Children's Museum in St. Paul. The girls had a blast and gave it a thumbs up, however, Aliya and Breanne think "grandma's children's museum" is better (Brookings, SD).

 After the museum, we met up with Derrick, Bryce and Kayla to explore the Minnehaha Falls Park in Minneapolis. A unique park nestled along the Minnehaha Creek and Mississippi River.

 It was a great adventure and wonderful way to officially begin summer vacation.

The gardening is going well so far this summer. Madison's cabbage plant is HUGE! Seems the cooler weather is conducive to growing cabbage. In the background, you can see the first two blossoms on the potato plants. 

Last Saturday, we went camping with the mosquitoes. They were awful...the best options were sitting in the campfire smoke or tent. However, the girls had a blast biking, learning how to build a campfire, sleeping in the tent, making breakfast for us.

Wedding Joys

 Last weekend, we celebrated with Uncle Bryce and Auntie Kayla as they wed in Parker, SD. It was a gorgeous day and an event that pointed to Jesus. We were thankful to join in the party. Aliya was honored to be the flower girl and was confident and joyous most the day.

 She made a new friend, Alisha (one of the bridesmaids) and loved spending time with her throughout the day and evening.

 Of course, as any 4-year old would, she had her moments of hurt feelings, "ouies" and fatigue..mom and dad to the rescue.

 Ring pops to follow the ceremony were a hit! And full of sas!

 Following the festivities, we were able to spend time with the Kracht cousins and grandma and grandpa Kracht. Madison was able to meet her 4-H pigs and help clean their pen. Uncle Lucas tried to convince her to dig in with the pitchfork, but mom and dad persuaded her to let Uncle Lucas use the skid loader.

 It was such a joy to see 3-generations in the pig pen maneuvering the herd and learning about their diet.

 With such a big weekend, came much fatigue and much "sucking" by our favorite little girls, coupled with moments of silly deliriousness.

 Back at home, Aliya caught her first fish in the backyard pond. Daddy had to about drag her out there, but her mood quickly changed as he coined her the fish slayer!

 In Derrick's words, Madi and Aliya were having fun catching fish all night and along comes Breanne and tells them how to do it. That's our Beaver!

Celebrate!

 This week we celebrated a year of preschool accomplished! Aliya thought she should get the celebrate plate. Mom thought the teacher should get the plate. It is amazing to look back and realize how much Aliya has learned this year: many, many memory verses, letters & sounds, rhyming, opposites, days of the week, months of the year, seasons, science experiments, writing, Bible truths and some great friends at CBS just to name a few. At CBS, we have been blessed to have women of faith coming alongside mom and dad, teaching Aliya the same truths we teach at home. Her class got to sing for us one of the last weeks of the "year" and I got pictures of her and favorite friends, Esther and Julia.

 Ms. Mary & Ms. Maren were a huge blessing to Aliya this past year! Just ask Aliya to sing one of her memory verses for you. Mom's favorite is to the tune of "Jesus Loves Me": "Christ lives in me. Galatians 3:20."

 Our closing class activity (besides celebrating with strawberry shakes with sisters & daddy) was coloring hot rocks. Way fun! And the teacher got a paper weight besides.

Spring has finally arrived. On the first nice weekend, the McGrails arrived from Montana to laugh at our girls sporting tank tops and shorts in 60 degree weather. You don't remember how warm 60 feels after a really long winter! The garden is in, and we're wondering if it'll get it's first rain shower any moment now. 

Mom is ready for preschool to be over. I don't know how teachers do it! We have had fun learning an assortment of safety lessons. Police Officer safety ended up with an adorable craft. 

Yesterday, we happened upon an ECFE event where children 5 and under got to climb up on firetrucks, dump trucks, police cars, buses and more. Aliya loved it! We'll try our best to persevere and finish up preschool with a family outing to a 3D IMAX movie on the 20th hopefully.

 Our visit from the McGrails was a blessing for all of us! Even the big girls, though there weren't kids their age to play with) loved having them visit. Sarah and I got to paint pottery and go out for Thai. Derrick & Doug had the first campfire of the year while the moms were out and got to enjoy a Twins game on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon.

 Madi is completing her guitar lessons. It's tricky to learn a new instrument. You can pray for perseverance for her (especially since we'd rather be playing outside). She was excited to start playing chords at last night's lesson.

Breanne had a successful first piano recital. I got to accompany her on her two pieces. Even I had butterflies. The recital ended with cake and punch. Not sure how the cake ended up as a mustache, but take pictures first, ask questions later!