My CuddleBugs

 Some favorites of me and my girls.  Taken in November 2012.

 Svea is squeaky clean and quite cozy.  A delight.

My Siblings

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church celebrated Mom and Dad's 33 years of parish ministry and Dad's retirement the end of June.  It was an incredible weekend for our family, and for me personally, it was a snapshot of my childhood in some ways.  I grew up in that church and was loved by so many people who encouraged me and nurtured me. 

Mat's family flew in from Seattle and we all had such a GOOD time together.  We spent Friday together at our house, Saturday at Becca and Rory's farm, and Sunday at church and then Mom and Dad's house.  Here is a favorite picture taken in our backyard:

 And a cousin picture:

These cousins love each other so much.  I have a short video of my three girls sobbing as we drove away after saying our goodbyes.  I won't post it.  But I cried too. 

Summer 2013 Family Vacation: Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp, Colorado

We planned to go to Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp in Colorado for Family Camp last summer so we could see our friends Deb and Brad Abbott.  (And we were all excited to experience Family Camp again - It's been two years exactly since we moved back to MN).  However, forest fires near Sky Ranch caused camp to be evacuated and Family Camp was cancelled.  So we went this summer instead.  Brad and Jedd worked together at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp in Montana and Brad married my friend Deb.  :)   It was so good to reconnect! 

I sent out an invitation to 20 of our family friends last winter to see if anyone wanted to join our family at Sky Ranch.  And faithful friends, Matt and Maren Schneider and their boys Adam and Micah said "Yes!".  It was SO MUCH FUN sharing this mountain experience with them.  We felt very blessed to spend a whole week together! 

Admittedly, I am still stuck between having a camera (which I unknowingly brought along with a full memory card), and a phone with a sort of decent camera.  Also admittedly, I don't yet know how to import pictures from my phone onto the computer so I can post them here.  And finally, I relished turning off my phone for the week (no cell service in the mountains) so I rarely had it with me when there were great photo opportunities.  I will plan to update photos once the Schneider's share theirs with me.  Here's what I have in reverse order (shoot!):

 On the car ride home.  Mara and Sonna entertaining each other and Svea studying her books.

 Saying goodbye to dear friend Deb.

 One of our favorites - Hannah - from Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp came to work at Sky Ranch this summer!

 Jedd and I did an 8 mile hike.  It was gorgeous.  Next time I want to reach the snowy tops!  (Do I look like a golfer?  I am not a golfer.)

 One year old Micah and Svea enjoying each other at campfire.

 Jedd and I enjoying each other at campfire.

 Fun time together in Fort Collins with St. Olaf friends Joni and Evan, Matt and Maren.  So fun to have our kids together.  We have our 15 year class reunion in 2014! 

 Our family stopped at Mt. Rushmore on the way to Colorado.  We took a leisurely morning exploring Keystone, SD.  We stopped for some souvenirs and fresh taffy.

 This was the view from the Lodge at Sky Ranch.  It was neat to be so near the changing weather. 

  The girls made fast friends at camp.  After half a day, they were so comfortable and seemed like they had lived at camp before.  :)