Time to Relax

 After a crazy week of making rolls, cutting up a pig, making beans and decorating (and picking up food for the soccer/volleyball tournament plus working a shift), I decided it was alright to take some time and relax.  We were blessed this weekend by a visit from some wonderful friends.  The Bradys came all the way from Galesburg, IL to spend the weekend with us.  They came on their motorcycle so we had to go for a ride.

 The Raddant, Bohls and my dad all came with us to Eau Claire Dells.  What a beautiful park!  We stopped for ice cream as usual. 

Rhonda was very kind to not only take some pictures but share them with me. 

 It was so relaxing after all the hustle and bustle of the last two weeks.  My dad said we needed to ride to Tigerton as they were celebrating "Lumberjack Days."

They had a free corn roast so we had supper.  There was roasted and boiled corn.  Who would take boiled when you can have roasted?  It was so yummy.  We enjoyed ourselves immensely.  What a wonderful time we had enjoying the food, company and sights. 

Now it's our turn to go to Galesburg on the bike to go riding with Rhonda and Larry.  I loved having them here so much.  They are one of the biggest things I miss about doing the City of Joseph.

Reception Time

 What's a wedding without a reception to celebrate the happy occasion?

 Cutting the cake at the Gresham reception.

 Jeff licking the frosting off of Sammi.

 Dancing as husband and wife.

 Brock getting watermelon at the Muscatine reception while Larry holds him.

 Jeff dancing with the mother-in-law. 

 Some people throw a rowdy party that needs police intervention.  Actually, Clint and Ryan came to get some food.

 Jeff and Daniel on the dance floor.

 Adam getting a ride during the clean up process.

A line dance during Footloose.

                                                            Teeny and Ben.

 Adam and Jeff.  Adam wouldn't let Jeff alone.  He loved the high tosses into the air.

                                                            Cousins dancing.

 Shoe pile.  A lot of comfy feet around.

A bride and groom dance.

Family Picture Fun

 With the entire family being together in Nauvoo, we, the girls and I, figured it would be a perfect time for family pictures.  I planned on taking one when Erin got home from school, but then waited as Jeff was joining our family.  My 4th daughter, Sara, was kind enough to take these so I didn't have to set a timer on the camera.  Besides, I didn't have my tripod.

Pat wanted a new photo of the two of us.  This one is good, but I'm aggrivated by the fact that there's sun on my shirt.  We may take another one in our "dress up" clothes.

 Andrew needed a new picture for the wall for quite some time.  Sara took some nicer ones than this, but he had a forced smile on the others.  So, this will have to do.

 The Gourley's tried but the three kids weren't very cooperative.  This was the best of all.  At least the kid's faces are visable and no one is screaming.

 We needed a Papa and Nana picture with the grandkids.  This one turned out perfect!  I love this one!

 There's a great arched bridge which makes an interesting  place for photos.  It also makes a difficult place to photo with the darkness inside and the bright sunlight behind.  Still, I think Sara did a great job with this one.

 A close up of these beautiful people together.

It was a good time to be together despite the heat and mostly the humidity.  Bright sunlight is NOT the best condition for taking photos, but we made the most of it with finding shady places.  Who knows when the next time is that we'll all be together for a photo.  It might be a while. 

Little Oinker Bites the Dust

When Sammi and Jeff decided to get married I asked her what kind of reception she wanted.  She agreed to having roast pork as the meat.  Jeff Cerveny did all the work for us.  He picked up the pig and roasted it on the spit.  We went over on Tuesday evening during the pouring rain and cut up the porker.

 I think our Jeff likes to try new things.  He had a good time cutting up the meat. 

Here's Chop and Jim taking it off of the spit.

 A close-up of little oinker.

It sure tasted good on Tuesday night.  I'll be tonght it will be even better since it has been seasoned!

Happy eating to us!

Wedding Time

 A wonderful day in the temple with Sammi and Jeff.

 What a happy couple.

 All my kids doing the "Tom."

 I know Sammi and Jeff aren't very close in the photo, but I love the angle and the temple in the background.

 Looking at the temple from the 3rd floor window of the Cultural Hall.

 A walk down Parley Street.

 Sammi and Jeff's "bench" at the end of Parley Street.  This is where he first put his arm around her on their first date. 

 Jumping for joy!

 Everyone who attended or waited outside, except Liz who is taking the photo.

With the nieces and nephews.  Tough photo to get them all looking in one direction.

Seminary In-service

Seminary in-service is not one of those things I usually look forward to.  Now it's been made even easier as we can stay home and call in via phone bridge.  I thought about doing that this morning, but decided there wasn't really a reason for me not to go in person.  I'm so glad I did.  I gained some insights that I don't think I would have had if I hadn't been there in person. 

Let's say that I learned some things about Jonah as well as the atonement.  I'm no longer feeling quite so intimidated by the Old Testament.  I do think, however, that I'm going to have to spend a lot more time preparing this year than ever before.  Oh well, there is nothing to lose and everything to gain in spending time in the scriptures!

Vacation in the U.P.

There are so many things I could blog about.  My time at girl's camp or Sammi's wedding shower being at the top of the list, but instead I want to share my overnight vacation to Lake Superior.   Pat does a U.P. tour each August where he comes North to check on the buildings up here and he brings me along overnight.  This is our 3rd year at this campground.  We set up our tent on the shores of Lake Superior at a
campground.  Each year Pat states that he wished he'd brought along his swim trunks.  Well, this year he packed them.  I doubted that he'd use them.  I was wrong.

 This year he brought his swim trunks and waded in for a short time and then finally took the plunge.  I recall doing that as a kid.  My parents would let us do it because typically we never saw waves crashing on the shore and wanted to be buried in them or try to outrun them.

 He said it wasn't as cold as he thought it would be.  He said he's been in colder water.

 I saw this fungus growing just past our campsite onto the beach.  It's growing out of a fallen tree.  This "beach" isn't typical sand.  It is all rocks.  Very smooth rocks, but still rocks of all sizes.  I really took this photo so I could share it with Cheryl.

 The sunset was perfect from my lawnchair.  I took several, but this was easily my favorite.

 We went for a stroll along the shore and found a few interesting things to look at.  I set up the camera so we could have one last shot of the sunset with both of us in it.  I love spending alone time with my sweetie.

 Perhaps that's evident in this final photo. 

I know the night will not be too warm and I did bring extra covers.  What will be nice is the sound of the waves crashing on the shore all night long.  It is so soothing.  Back to the real world tomorrow.