Kickoff to Summer

Anna and Lucy - that's a laugh, not a cry!
How cute are we?

Rockford had a small town parade and carnival for the Kickoff to Summer. Lucy had a great time watching the parade and eating dum dums with Aunt Mim and Cousin Tallie. Our friends, Brian, Jen and Anna joined us. Anna and Lucy had fun on the rides!

more randoms!

working on the computer with Daddy

Big cheesey smile

helping Mommy make molten chocolate lava cakes (yes, there is a whole stick of butter in that dish!)

sampling some of the good stuff!

Sunny Days

How cute are these girls?! I had Tallie for a day - we took a long walk downtown Rockford and along the trail. We ended up at Epic, a local coffee shop, for a treat (cookies for the girls, coffee for me!) I love to see them running and playing together.

Dog Whisperer

Cesar - you just have to love this guy. We don't get many channels, but I've become addicted to National Geographic. Mainly because of this fella. I've even gotten my niece, Tallie Rose, into the Dog Whisperer. Because of this man, I "may" want to try dog ownership one day. Under one condition - it has to behave like my childhood dog, Gretal, or Benson, who belongs to our friends the Thorntons. (We miss you, Benny!)

Thank you, Jesus!

It's one of those things that just keeps coming back. You know what it is - we all have one of those "things" that always tries to steal your joy. Just when you are running fully toward Jesus and just enjoying life, something - or someone - tries to steal your joy. Today I just leaned on a song that was ringing through my head and just so happens to be Matt's (=amazing man) favorite song (there are many reasons why I love him!) It's also the second song on our playlist. Thank you, Jesus, for being my identity, changing me, and making me joyful!

In Christ Alone
In Christ Alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid ground
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of god in helpless babe
this gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save
Till on the cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground HIs body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Upr from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

AMEN! :)

Whip It!

Pause the music below before watching video. Also sorry for the sideways shot!

Lucy loved the Kiddie Whip - she went on it twice and would have gone on it more had we not pulled her away. :) She looks like such a big girl in the video - screaming and laughing on the ride.

Knoebel's

Driving with Nanny in the cars

Fishing with Momma

Riding the Beetle Bugs - TWICE!

Riding the carousel a few times too!