Sunday, August 14, 2011

David's Baptism

Wow, it's such a huge honor when we get asked to be Godparents, and this year we were ecstatic to be asked twice! First as Kyla's and now David's, we just adore our nieces & nephews so much, all of them! It's such an amazing process to us, gathering together, committing as parents, godparents & extended family to raise & help these children grow in their relationships with the Lord. Truly one of life's most awesome moments.




Auntie getting some cuddle time with David Terrance

The "big kids" table, always filled with giggles....

Evie having some delicious lunch afterwards


Luke thinking the same thing, I admire you my brother for as much as you can eat, you're still rail thin - what gives? I want that gene back cuz you apparently took mine!





So cute, but try & get him away from Grandma once she doesn't let him go easily and no wonder!

Mike's parents (his namesake David, Mike's Dad), the Hiscock's, Father Dean & our parents.







Evie giving her little brother a blessing of her own...






Mike's sister, Terra and her husband joined us as Godparents for David





Brie was chosen to help hold the oils for the blessing, she was quite tickled to be a part of it too!












The little man of the hour, sound asleep, well at first anyway!








Thank you Mike & Becca for the honor of being David's Godparents!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Schroeder with the Grochows & Wendlandt's

Yes we were just here last weekend but this time were lucky enough to have the Grochow's & Wendlandt's join us! We planned this in the spring and really looked forward to connecting with Adam & Linnea, Erick & Carrie and of course their cute kiddos! Needless to say Brienna was in heaven chasing after little Adley, she is just so adorable and has really mastered this walking thing. The rain only visited a bit over night Friday and stayed away the rest of the weekend. We got to spend some great times at the beach and sitting around the campfires enjoying Adam's extensive music collection, loved all of it! We're already looking forward to a repeat next year!



Toss Across Champions Brienna & Liv - yep they beat out teams Mommy & Adam and then Carrie & Daddy!


Moms Mug Shot!


Who can forget Tulip - darn cute & just hysterical, we had such a blast watching all the antics...



Adorable! Both of you!

This just adds to our random montages designed to memorialize for Brie & Conner that Mommy & Daddy are very silly & a ton of fun. So when you're teenagers & think we are so mean with all our rules just remember, we love you and we're still those silly fun parents from your childhood!




Oh what a crew we are!

Another ADORABLE family!


ANOTHER one - yep they just keep coming!


Conner looking for any bug he can dig up, outside his obsession for rocks is bug hunting. Daddy says as long as he doesn't drag a snake over to show us, he can search away! I big second that from Mommy!



Beach time, & she was mesmerized by everything! Brought back fun memories of my kiddos at this age, where does the time go?

Liv & Conner spinning & spinning, made me dizzy taking the photo! Remember those days as a kid but it was with my tire inner tube - remember those?

Such a doll, never gets old watching this little gal!




Beach Beauties!


Conner all wrapped up like a burrito! We literally have a shot of him in this exact position at every camping trip we took, after a good swim who doesn't want to cuddle up in this blanket sized towel.





Racing into shore, Carrie leads followed by Brie & Liv in a dead heat.....

Chillin out in deeper water, I guess they are past sitting on the beach making sand castles stage!

Conner lovin' the water as usual, dual purpose actually he can swim AND look for rocks.....





Time for a Cheetos break!




Going for a walk...


Taking Tulip for a walk...


Liv & Adley playing at the play ground



Oh lest we forget Conner's obsession with climbing, that day he came to us & said his skin is peeling off. Kind of alarmed us until we saw it was his hard earned callouses on his hands letting loose a bit. One of the drawbacks to constant monkey bar use I guess....




Why do you grow up so fast?

Lovin the swing, hating getting out, not a pretty sight!


Here he goes again...

I want to push her, no I want to, no it's my turn.....

Oh did we mention he loves to climb?



Saturday, August 6, 2011

Reese Family Campin' Solo

We really loved every camping trip we've taken so far this summer but this one was just us. We headed to Schroeder Campgrounds near Annandale MN. This is a campground that Steve's Gr & Gr Grochow used to camp very often, in fact there is a sweet lil lady that still runs the place and remembers them both! We mention them every time we go and every time she recalls how nice they were. Well, what can we say, it was a weekend of rain, and more rain. We did however make the best of each deluge and the sunny spots in between. The Knaus' joined us for some beach time in the sun and then a great meal spent under the tent & canopy while it poured. It was a great time and man the laughs we had, the kind that make your belly & cheeks hurt. Yet another spectacular and memorable weekend camping!



Toasting the end of the rain, for a couple hours anyway! Daddy, Zach, & Lisa

The kids hiding out in the camper waiting for the rain to stop so we can roast marshmallows! Brie & Katelyn up high, Conner & Carter below...

Be still my heart... you two just make our hearts sing!

Brienna with her Shirley Temple & umbrella! Oh yeah, we go all out camping!


Conner & one of his major food groups - hot dogs



We let the kids roast their own hot dogs this time, they thought it was huge & to understand this I'll use the 3 bears analogy: Conner likes his barely cooked, Brienna's just right, and Daddy's way over cooked. This way everyone wins!


See this in action, notice Conner's is WAY over the fire, just getting warmed. Brienna is perfectly poised while Daddy's is directly in the inferno! Funny that this is how they prefer their marshmallows too!


Look what I caught - what a whopper!


Brienna's catch, not touching it yet, that's a work in progress right Brie?


We spent Saturday morning fishing as a family, what a hoot that was and the competition to catch fish got pretty heated..... next summer I think we'll be ready to hit the tournament circuits!


Good one buddy!


Daddy showing Conner the ropes, very important initiation process going on here...


So glad we all enjoy fishing... can't wait for our first Canadian trip!






And just that quickly the rains came....


and it we mean it RAINED!!!!



Rain or shine, they sure do know how to have fun! Luv u kiddos!