Friends since…

The later 2000’s. The adults met at SJB when there were only 4 kids between the 6 of us. Now we have 10!

It was a lovely day for a walk at Bunker Regional Park followed by dinner out for just the adults. Lots of laughs, which were welcomed by everyone.

HBD #11 to Shecklet #3 ๐ŸŽ‚

Shecklet #3 turned 11 today! She celebrate with friends last night. We thought 2-3 would be able to come over, but we ended up hosting 13 girls! They watched a movie outside, ate pizza and dessert, and played nighttime games in the yard. It was SO good to see them do normal kid activities again. ๐Ÿ’•

Today there were gifts, Chinese take out for dinner, and pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.

CC race and cheering section

Todayโ€™s CC race brought us close to Aunt Larissaโ€™s house. We called her en route to see if she wanted to come watch. She was free, so she joined me and the girls to cheer on Shecklet #2. He improved his time almost 50 seconds over his race last weekend!

Visit from the Schmidtshow

My cousin and his family came to visit over the weekend. 8 kids, 4 adults, lots of laughs, and new memories made. The kids connected like they were old friends, which was awesome to see. The adults enjoyed sitting around the kitchen table and catching up over Crown Royal peach with sweet tea. We took in a Twins game (unfortunately, they did not win,) but it didnโ€™t matter. It was just great to get to spend time with family.

This is what family looks like.

Apple orchard visit ๐ŸŽ ๐Ÿ ๐ŸŽ

Shecklets #1 and 3 spent the day with Aunt Larissa while Shecklets #2 and 4 went with Jake and me to the lake to help take out and wash down the dock. Larissa took them to the orchard where Grandma Patti works each fall.

Here are some of the latest โ€œhow tallโ€ stats for 2021.

Duluth day trip

I havenโ€™t seen my aunt and uncle (my godparents) in over two years. A lot has happened to all of us during those two years. Seeing them today and being able to catch up in person was so good for my heart.

My aunt Deb gifted me a cedar chest that my grandfather made and several knitted items that my grandma and her twin sister made. I had asked her to write up a brief history of the piece, which will be a treasured piece of information about the chest that I will keep with it.

Here it is in its new location in our home.

Aunt Deb introduced me and the girls to diamond dots. (The peacock in the photo of the two of us was done by her.) She sent home three mini kits for us to try.

Pine Cones ๐ŸŒฒ

These enormous pine cones arrived from NV. Shecklet #3 and his Aunt Bri and Uncle Jason found them on a hike, Aunt Kari baked them when she was visiting Jason, and Jason sent them. They are amazing!

Family wedding ๐Ÿฅ‚

Weddings are often the only time we get a โ€œfancyโ€ family photo. Today we attended the vow renewal and reception for one of Jakeโ€™s cousins. It was a beautiful day and a fun reason to celebrate with family.

No, Jake isn’t shorter than Shecklet #1…yet. He’s leaning forward a bit in the above photo, so it looks like Shecklet #1 has passed him up.