Lake Carlos with the Grochows!!!!

Outside of Lake Beauty Bible Camp our absolute favorite place to camp is Lake Carlos State Park in Alexandria! It's just awesome and we were blessed with a great weekend up there with some of our favorite camping buddies the Grochow family! Weather was a bit uncooperative in the wind department but overall we had another amazing weekend! Great food (thank you Erick & Carrie!), great conversations, some of the best fishing the guys have had up there, swimming, giggles, & those camp fires, ahhhh!!!! Just love it! Some pics to share!

Captain Olivia! Reporting no accidents during her watch!

Carrie, Erick, & Liv oh how we love you so!

A Reese shot, so very rare to capture these creatures all in one photo, in the running for the endangered list :)!

Taking the boat to the landing, we all rode in it and the other campers thought we should have been throwing candy, must have looked like a parade float!

The story: well Conner as you know is quickly falling into a love for bugs like his cousin Seth, so when he brought us some tent worms & called them caterpillars we had to set him straight. No, these aren't to be cherished as the park showed lots of damage to the trees from them chomping on the leaves. Needless to say he went from caterpillar saver to conservationist or tree lover. The kids took their fishing nets and filled them with the worms only to drown them at the boat landing docks. Not dramatic enough? Well then they collected them in bottles, filled the bottles with water, then rolled & played key away with them. Now I feel sorry for them, almost!

Partners in crime!

Beach time!

Heads Up

Heads down

This is what relaxation looks like

Don't be fooled, that water was COLD!!!!

Getting some sun, like he needs it!

She's a that point when entering the water for the first time, hate it too peanut!

Go Liv!

Splashin', been waiting a long time to do that!

These two were fierce in the water - cold? What cold? Remember not caring when we were kids?

Walking tacos, Conner's favorite!

The chefs in action

This is what a time out looks like when your camping.... yep it happens!

Great form girls!

How they spent 90% of their time!

Thankfully they only spent 1-2% of their time doing this - playing video games!

Again, thanks for another incredible weekend of fun!!!!!

Weekend of Baptisms/Dedications & Fathers!

Well in true fashion we rang in the weekend celebrating as many loved ones as possible. Above is a small montage of photos from the weekend, only wish my camera flashed a bit more, many opportunities were missed :( Saturday we enjoyed a beautiful baptism of Kyla & Keegan at our Grandma's lake cabin, the weather held out, it was just spectacular! Grandma's gathered flowers from the many gardens and being down by the lake just made it all so picturesque. The ceremony was touching, Brienna even had a prayer, she was thrilled! That night we even squeezed in a birthday party for Conner, transformer cake of course! He received so many wonderful gifts, what a lucky little man he is!

Sunday we were treated to an incredible service at First Covenant in Willmar but the icing on the cake was Abbott's dedication! To have both Gma Reese & Gma Grochow there as well was equally awesome, we are so blessed to have been a part of such a moving weekend, watching these three special children introduced and promised to the Lord, couldn't have asked for a more perfect weekend.

Top that off, as if you could, with a b-day celebration for Conner on the Thole side AND last but not least - FATHERS DAY!!!! Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's in our lives, you are so paramount to us, we look to you for guidance, cry on your shoulders when we're sad, seek your strength when scared, revel in your abilities to fix all things, & cherish your big bear hugs! Love you all so much!

Field Trip Day to Gale Woods Farm

This week Conner's class went on a field trip to Gale Woods Farm which is part of the Three Rivers Park District & just happens to be run by Daddy's cousin Tim Reese! Knowing that he was going Steve gave Tim a heads up, we also told Conner that if he sees Tim he should give him a big hello from all of us! Well it's Friday and he's still talking about how cool the farm was and that he got to have his picture taken with Uncle Tim! The preschool was so awesome and took this for us in addition to making a craft frame to put it in. His favorite was the baby sheep. He also came home with a wool spun bracelet which has been a challenge talking him into taking off at bath time, he doesn't want to part with it. Thanks to Uncle Tim for such a memorable day, you definitely made a huge impact on Conner, you're right up there with all the super heroes, no easy feat!

Happy Birthday Conner - Space Aliens Style!

This was the first year we embarked on a "friends" birthday party for Conner, hadn't had one until now largely because we feared what it would look like. We've enjoyed so many calm, frilly, well-mannered, little girl birthday parties with Brienna's group of friends that we knew a party of strictly 5-6 year old boys would be very different. The venue was selected in order to stave off a posse of said boys from running amok in our home, trade off was that we would have to control all those little monkeys in this place of fun and folly.

We started by inviting all of the boys in Conner's preschool class, mistake number one, why you ask? Because in doing so all the boys that, according to Conner, pick on him, sit on him, hit him, or make faces at him ALL rsvp'd right away. It got to the point that I just stopped telling him when we received a positive rsvp because he would just cry about how he didn't want this boy or that boy at his party even if he was going to be bringing him a present. Little did we know the inter workings of boy parties, the great guests always respond late in the game. Just days before the big day, we received, at last, word that his bestest of friends would be there, life was much happier.

The package sounds really great, an hour and half maximum of playing games, eating pizza, cupcakes & ice cream and then open presents all for one low price, great huh? Well let me tell you, that is the longest 90 minutes we as parents have spent in a long time. I sent Steve to the store the night before to find something, anything that we could tie around the boys' necks to identify them as being a part of Conner's party. Mind you this place can hold up to 5-6 different b-day parties at one time so nightmares about knowing which child is under our care from the others spurred this on. He came through with flying colors and arrived back home with glow in the dark necklaces - they were a hit! So were the games, food, cupcakes and Brienna. Yep, she ended up being the gal with the golden touch as she won game after game & lots of tickets for a lot of the boys. We kind of, well not really, felt bad for many of the parents when they came for their sons only to find out Brie had won over 900 and even 1,000+ points! Off to the toy counter with all their points where they spent LOTS of time picking amongst some of China's best. He he he he he......

Conner in the end had an amazing time. He had 90 minutes of showing off, being wild & crazy, teaching everyone his great monkey impersonation by climbing on all the walls in the place, hiding under the tables, etc..... All we asked was that he was a good and gracious friend, we were happy to see him succeed in that, good thing we have years to work on the rest!

Happy Birthday to our Little Alien!!!!!

Going backwards here, gift opening was quite frantic with all the "cools" "awesome's" and "that rocks" from the audience!

A Space Alien hug and photo op - what more can a kid ask for right?

Anton & Sawyer did hid under the table when the Alien came around, not big fans apparently, or they just wanted an excuse to explore yet another nook of the place.

One of Brie's jackpots! Don't leave home without her!

Side 1 of the table, Anton, Cameron, Hunter (Conner's best bud) big sis Brie

Side two of the table, Sawyer, Aidan, Conner & Drew (missing one, Nick, must be under the table)

Game time!

Why are kids so drawn to these spiky ball things?

The line up - minus Aidan, he hates cameras he told me, feel so bad for that Mommy! Patiently waiting for the tokens to be handed out!
Our dynamic duo being silly before the crew arrives, this is the calm before the storm!

Happy Birthday Conner

Can it be true that you are SIX!!!!! Every parent marvels and marks upon how quickly their kids grow and never more so than on their child's birthday. It's a right I think we are given as parents because we vividly live and see the progression of life each year, yet we swear it seems like yesterday that we held them in our arms for the first time. Well it's achingly true, the day when you came into this world is seared into our memories, we waited (and not so patiently) for nine months to meet you. When we learned they needed to get to you immediately via emergency C-section we felt..... joy, we knew the Lord was watching over you, not a second of that time was spent worrying. Little did we know all this was because you are uniquely you and we believe it was all his way of giving us a heads up! For Conner Alexander, you do not take the road well traveled. Instead, you are bulldozing your way through life atop a huge monster truck transformer sporting the most brilliant smile, contagious giggle, and spunk that both scares and delights us. You will be the super hero you mimic and idolize, you will befriend many with your tender heart, and most importantly you will hold close your heavenly Father who was so very kind to bless us with you! We love you beyond belief, unconditionally, and are so proud of the little man you're becoming, you have the best Birthday Ever!!! Can't wait to see the mountain passes you will pave in the coming year! Love you now and throughout eternity, Daddy, Mommy & Brie!!!!

Manchester United - Go Dragons!!!!

Wow it is so much fun watching Conner start his first year of soccer, brings back the same awesome memories of when Brie started. Still, all those little boys with their cleats, shin guards and socks running after the ball is just so darn cute...

The start wasn't so auspicious, even with Daddy as Asst., Coach it didn't stop our little man from refusing to participate at the first practice, he sulked and cried while sitting along the sidelines the entire time. Yep, proud moment there. He came out strong though at practice number two and was so proud of himself as he scored a goal! We're so proud of you Conner!

Practicing running with the ball through the cones.....

He shoots he scores!!!!!

They just can't help piling up on the ball, it takes years to get them to understand the concept of spreading out so this is such a cute shot, they just end up standing there kicking one another....

Brie's Camping Birthday Party!

Evelyn & Kylie - playing toilet tag!

Sleeping beauties, the blog on the floor next to Jenna is Stacy, you practically have to throw that girl in the lake to wake her up!

The headlamps doing their duty as they search for all the change Steve strewn throughout the grass, a little exploration before bedtime! Jenna getting some help from Conner!

The whole group!

Jenna the Sparkler!!!!

Happy Birthday Brienna! A butterfly she's not afraid of, sorry Brie, we'll never let you live that down!

It's a free for all, no one's safe!

Jenna & Kylie teaming up for the.....

Water balloon toss

which lead to the water balloon fight!

The boys did such an amazing job dealing with all these girls!

Another game favorite, the human knot!

The slipper kick, anyone wanna guess who won? Evelyn our amazing goalie! She actually held back because she was afraid of hitting the camper across the road, yep, she's that good!

Kylie is the clear winner of the most creative head lamp - watch out world this gal is border line genius, no kidding she is incredible.....

Brie & her soccer buddy Isabell playing badminton

Conner had to suit up, strictly evasive measures with all these girls around

Perfect mode of transportation for this group!

Great choice on the menu Brie, pizza from the local pizzeria, no cooking & an easy clean up, that's my girl!!!!

Down time in the camper, Liv brought string so they were busy braiding bracelets! For about 15 min's anyway...

Olivia, Isabell, & Evelyn

Brie & Kylie with their floaties stuck on their bums!

Jenna soaking up some sun and warmth, the water was a bit cold still

Kylie, Brienna, Isabelle, & Olivia

This rock is normally NOT in the water but halfway up the beach, just gives you an idea of how high the water is at Baker Park! Incredible!

Evelyn, Jenna, & Stacy taking a beach break before heading back in!

Brienna getting a push from Jenna, their attempts at floatie surfing!

Happy Birthday Brienna, we love you very much!