Lost in the Maze

We had a great time at a corn maze with some friends this weekend. It was a beautiful day - a bit cool and windy but still nice. The maze was fun and challenging and the farm where it located was so pretty. Beautiful views, lots of cool old buildings and a variety of animals.

We went right over Audrey's nap time but she did great. She looked like her eyes were going to close at any moment but she stayed awake for it all.

I wanted to LIVE at this farm. It was so peaceful, simple and beautiful

Through trial and error, multiple dead ends and many laughs we figured out the maze! If you can call random paths, lots of mistakes and being completely turned around most of the time figuring it out. :-) So, after conquering (or I mean stumbling across the exit) we pulled our map out and explored a bit - trying to make sense of where we were instead of just randomly choosing paths. Map or no map, I never knew where I was - I just followed the guys. My exact location didn't matter as long as they knew and we were all having fun :-)

Looks like I caught Brock cutting through the corn! Hey Mr. that's not allowed!!

There was an added adventure for the kids. They were given paper bags at the beginning and had to find 5 people hidden throughout the maze with orange buckets of candy. After receiving some candy they would get their bag stamped. Once they collected all the stamps they had found all the candy givers! They had fun searching - and fun eating!

Our whole group - us and our friends Mike and Erika with their three boys, Kevin, Luke and Andrew. Imagine all of us walking, running twirling and giggling our way through the maze. Yikes!

These cows were HILARIOUS. We noticed right away how short and fat they were - it was so crazy looking. We proceeded to read the sign - they were miniature cows! I had no idea there was a such thing. Look at that cow - it is shorter than Hannah! They were really friendly and the kids loved them. They all had name tags on their ears so we are still hearing about Erica, Sophie, Darla and Lucy!

Oh look - there is Erica - she was the kid's fave!

Kevin, Madison and Isaac. I really loved the neat barn! I decided I better let the kids get in the picture too :-)

They had several big black horses (percherons according to our resident horse expert Madison). They were very cool to see!

All the kids minus the two littles - Hannah, Luke, Madison, Kevin and Isaac.

We all had so much fun and can't wait to go again next year!

A BIG Day

We ventured to Roseau, MN for the wedding of our awesome friend/former babysitter/"sister" Greta. It was so great to be a part of such an amazing day. Greta looked BEAUTIFUL, the day was bright and sunny (after a quick shower in the morning) and the wedding & reception were a true celebration. We have known Greta since she was 12 and have spent TONS of time together. She was a God send for us as a babysitter, also as a helper & encourager when we bought the theatre and worked like crazy to get it open and of course for me as a friend. She means the world to us and we are so excited for her to find such an awesome guy to spend the rest of her life with!
Isaac had the privilege of being the ring bearer and did an awesome job. After going through the rehearsal we were slightly concerned. He was really uneasy and shy and even started crying on his way back down the aisle. Thankfully, he did walked down the aisle, stayed up there the whole service and walked down with no problems. Half way through the ceremony he started to blink like crazy then wipe his eyes a bunch but he pulled himself together. I think he just got a bit overwhelmed. The flower girl was a little cutie named Kajsa (Kigh-su). She is only 3 days younger than Isaac. She was so funny - while waiting to do pictures she sighed and said, "this is hard work"

Isn't his outfit cute!! He was one sharp looking 5 year old!!Greta and Tom during the picture taking process. All the pictures were taken before the ceremony at a really cool outdoor place with lots of old buildings. They got them all done in 1.5 hours! Pretty impressive :-)

The wedding party consisted of:

(on Tom's side) Tom's 2 sisters, Kari and Rebekah and his two brother-in-laws, Ben and Jordan

(on Greta's side) Greta's two sisters, Erica and Ingrid, her sister-in-law Heidi and her brother Aaron
I loved the bridal parties attire - the deep purple dresses looked awesome with the orange shirts and the bright colorful flowers.

Greta's dress was SO PRETTY. It was elegant yet simple. It had a really soft sheer overlay with lots of embroidery down it. Heidi did her hair and it looked great too. It was all twisted up with simple white flowers in it. I am not sure I got a picture of her hair - that's a bummer!

Just the girls

and now for the guys

There was a really neat old church there that you could go inside. It was great to get some pics in there

Greta, Aaron and Heidi waiting for another picture. It was a cool pic - all the couples were scattered throughout the pews but mine didn't work out. Guess you will have to wait for the real deal from Greta (I am sure she will post them on her blog - right Greta!) :-)

I love this picture of Tom and Greta. It was not a posed pic just a glimpse of two people who are thrilled to have each other and are very much in love!

This pic was great! You would be surprised to know how long it took for the guys to "stagger themselves" as they were instructed. They were either all down, all up, or in a straight line. It was so funny :-)

Not only do we think Greta is the best - we also think her parents are too! Her whole family is awesome. Greta's wedding was not only a celebration with her but with them as well. Val and Sheldon have arrived to get their pics with the bride and groom.

Back at the church and guests are arriving in droves :-) There were nearly 375 people there! Madison was in charge of the gift table and she was in awe of all the gifts. She said she really wished she could watch Greta open them all and see what was in there. She also said she was pretty sure that they got at least a few of the same things :-) Funny little analytical girl. She was not happy with this picture of her but it was all I could get (there were so many people that I had to just take one quick)

Val and Aaron

Aaron and Heidi. I tried to get a picture of Erica and Ingrid but it didn't work out.

Isaac and Kajsa looking a tad uncomfortable. I was afraid when he saw all the people he would freeze but he didn't. He didn't smile like we instructed him but that's okay - he did great.

Sheldon's first experience with giving away a daughter.

Hey, I guess I did get a pic of the back of her hair :-) So pretty! I love seeing Tom in this picture - he looks so happy. They were both smiling like none other the entire day!

Our serious little Isaac. Such a strange departure from his normal silly, theatrical self :-)

I love how they are holding hands. They both did just what they were told - it was really cute.

I love this picture of Sheldon and Isaac.

At the reception shortly before Greta and Tom left.

Cleaning up the city center provided some comic relief, especially watching Ingrid and Erica trying to sweep up with this tiny broom. I couldn't resist taking a picture :-)

Hannah is always right there wanting to help. She also informed me that her dress was "just like Greta's" Of course the similarities stopped at the color but that didn't stop her from feeling very special :-)

I really like this pic too. Madison was with her friends nonstop so I didn't get a chance to take one with her in it.

The kids occupying themselves while we helped clean up. The are really studying those flowers :-)

It was such a beautiful celebration and a day we wouldn't miss for the world. Congratulations Tom and Greta!!!

Hiking to the "M"

Although Jesse and Denise and their family were only here from Thursday afternoon until Sunday afternoon we packed alot in. Saturday afternoon all 11 (12 I guess with the little guy or girl hitching a ride with me) headed for a hike to the "M". Brock and Madison had done it before but for the rest of us it was a new experience. The "M" is a huge (250 ft) M made of white washed rocks that was made in 1915 by MSU students. The hike has one side that is really steep and one side that is longer and winds through the woods. We took the steep way up and the windy way down. The entire hike is just over 1.5 miles and was very fun and even gave you a good leg workout. :-)

Madison and Andi at the base of the trail anxious to head up.

Berlin, Andi, Madison and Izyk
Alex and Isaac taking a break for a picture (Madison and Andi in the background). We weren't sure how the two Isaac's would do but they did great! No complaining and just kept going. Towards the end of the steep side we could hear Izyk S. muttering now and then, "I don't think I can make it". So cute - but he did it and was very proud of himself. Our Isaac was told by Madison before we started that she didn't think he could make it up himself (nice huh) so he cruised up with nothing but determination to prove her wrong. He was very proud of himself when he easily showed her! :-)

Jesse and Berlin checking out the view

Izyk found two walking sticks to help him out - two has got to be better than one right??

Up, Up, Up we go

Jesse, Denise, Berlin and Izyk seeing how far we've come

Two tired (but proud) boys after making it to the top!

Despite the fact that it wasn't real clear at the top it was still beautiful. This was the middle of March and as you can see we still had plenty of snow :-)

Madison and Andi raced up to the top and easily beat us all

The whole crew

The guys (and a sleeping Berlin) as we head down. Although the way down was not as steep it was very wet and slick!!! Quite trecherous at times :-) This huge rock face was so cool. We rounded the corner and there it was, I never expected to see it in the midst of just trees, shrubs and grass.

The "old man" of the group seems to be having a hard time. Not only did he need to rest on the rock but he needed two sticks to support him on the way down :-) Actually, Izyk decided that although he still wanted his walking sticks he didn't want to carry them anymore so Jesse became the keeper of the special sticks :-) Berlin looks so cute in this picture!

Rocks, Rocks and Rocks!!

Denise and I