Jamaica Reunion!

The Saturday before I flew back I had the opportunity to join in on the JDV June teams Jamaica reunion! It was fun getting to see everyone and to enjoy a fun evening of just hanging out.

volley ball was played

and washers

and bags
(yes I know this is another picture of a washer game but I didn't have one of people playing bags)

then more volley ball under the spot light when the sun went down.

I got in a few games of bags but mostly I was sitting around catching up with those I love:)

to finish out the evening we had a bible study and share time of how we have grown since that trip this past June. It was so encouraging to see how God is continually working in the lives of those I love. For me, I thought it was cool how this was the group that started off my summer. They were there to encourage, support, and love me. To help give me the kick in the pants, and spiritual boost I needed to get through the craziness that was to come. And I made it! Praise God:) through 2 months of back to back teams, a wedding, then a month of nonstop go back in the states. To finish off my stay in the states I once more got to gather with those I love at the JA reunion and felt there encouragement, support and love for me once more.

Thank You Jesus for my Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

Eureka Fest

Saturday Morning some of us

Ran....

and some of us rode...

To Eureka Fest!!!!!

We checked out the different booths

Listened to what the sellers had to say,
then we got balloons animals!

Colt with his monkey

and Jax with his Elmo hat that was just about as big as he was. We didn't have any trouble spotting him in the crowd:)

I love it!

Sunday

I was thankful that on my last Sunday in the states my family could all go to church together. We all went to Ryan and Nicole's church for Kensley's dedication.

Kens' dedication

Then afterwords we all went back to Ryan and Nicole's for the afternoon. Once our stomachs were full the boys and I got down and wrestled out some energy.

Trying to hang on to two flailing boys:)

Jax getting my face while colt tries to sneak away...

and come step on my face...


Good times had all around!
Thank you God for opportunities like these!

Friends!

What have I been doing this past month?
Enjoying a social life!

Hanging out with Ryan and his family

Meeting up with Sarah for Lunch

Catching up with Amanda as she crashed our JA reunion

I was blessed to spend I think just about part of every weekend with the beautiful Jenn

I loved hearing how God is moving and working in Megan's life.

Fun times with Freda (aka my sister Kristen)

Sunday morning pictures before church with my other family the Ringgers

Praising God for a few hours to catch up with Sadie one Sat. afternoon and meet her husband for the first time.

Loved my time with Meg and hearing about her ministries! What a blessing!














This is where I would have put the picture of me and Janice IF we would have remembered to take one.:(

And there were many more... I just didn't have my camera with me or those visits were posts themselves:)

Praise Jesus for Great Friends!

The Lakes

After spending the weekend in Leo catching up with friends and going to Blake and Tashi's States Wedding Reception I headed up to northern Indiana to hit the Lakes with Matt and Tamara (and her family). I first went up to the lakes last year and it has become a place I look forward to going to now. Its SO relaxing! No expectations just lay around the water, or go out in the boat... do what you want to do... Its Fabulous!

I got there Monday afternoon and after hanging out with the Rabers for a while we headed out in the boat.

Tamara showing her skills while her nieces and nephews watch

After we took the boat out Tamara and I took the kayaks out. Later Matt and Jessi came by on the jet ski. I had my camera with me so thought 'perfect Matt can get a picture of me and T'. While I was trying to give my camera to Matt the hand off didn't go very smoothly and I ended up in the water tipping my kayak. I got it turned over but then Matt wanted to get the water out of it and the crazy process began:)

Jessi and I trying to be a counter weight while Matt lifts up the kayak on the jet ski to dump out the water that got in....

all of us now in the water then when that didn't work:) I was laughing so hard I was NOT much help at all.

Finally we got the water out, I got back in, and T and I took off back to the cottage.

Monday Night Blake and Tashi, Brad and Kates came up. Tuesday morning they were up early and out on the boat wake boarding. I stayed back at the cottage. Tashi was still sleeping and I was MORE then okay with taking my time to wake up. Plus I am a weakling and it was still to cold for me to go out on the boat:)

I was so thankful for a quiet morning to wake up slow, and catch up with Tashi.

We then walked down to Toms where we met the rest of the group coming in to grab doughnuts after a few hours on the water. We then all jumped onto the boat to enjoy a beautiful day on the water.

Tashi and I enjoying doing nothing while we float on a piece of foam:)
SO RELAXING!

I loved getting to spend time with these girls. I love them so much!

Thank You Jesus for perfectly relaxing days with Great Friends!

Great Wolf Lodge

One of the first things I did upon my arrival back to the states was head up to Wisconsin to go on a family vacation. We met my Aunt, Uncle, Cousins and their kiddos there and it was so fun and great to see them.

Lots of stories read while hanging out in the condo.

Kensley was a babe and did great through the weekend.

Jax enjoying the pool.

Colton Loving the water

Jaxon showing me his 'guns' :)
Love It!

Colt being a little model. I'm surprised the kid stopped long enough for me to get this.

Praising Jesus for Great Family Time!

Back in the States

Last week early Tuesday Morning we got up, loaded the bus, picked up Bunny our driver then held on and tried not to get sick as he very quickly drove us to the airport in Mobay. This was the only picture I got of the gorgeous morning. I put my camera away before I got too car sick trying to focus on taking pictures while Bunny was driving:)

This little stud was waiting with my Dad and Ryan at the airport when we arrived. What a fun surprise to be met by Jax, and it was fun listening to him chatter all the way back to Goodfield.

I also got to meet Miss Kensley for the first time and as you can see I was VERY excited. She is such a good baby and I have loved the time to hang out with her.

Colt has changed so much and its been so fun to play with him and see all his new tricks. This kid is so stinking smart and almost impossible to get a picture with. Especially when I am trying to take it when it was just us two... but in a cuddly moment I was able to quickly snap one!

Praising Jesus for Nephews and Nieces!