For our family, the command to "go and make disciples of all nations" has lead us to a few months of travel! We are so thankful to all our friends and family who have encouraged us with words, meals and more during the last 2 months.
Viv & Sy guy in Green Bay
(2 wild ones with a spark in their eyes!)
One of my favorite memories from last month is visiting my Granny! This is where she lives.
In a former school house! Her complex is unique, inviting and fun!
Who says you a older with every passing year?
It was a cold day, but we decided to venture out anyway. The kids had a hundred questions about these holes in the windows of a mill that is about to be torn down. How does someone get the job of smashing windows? Do birds get in there? Why can't they use those windows? Etc. Hmm. I haven't thought of that :)
a pretty church
Two youngsters! Can you believe granny is over 80? One of her tricks is daily microwaved spinach and carrots. She also has a sweet tooth. Hmm.
Goofin' Around
Seriously now
(Lil is getting pretty good w/ the camera!)
what interesting lifestyles, down by the water
Granny being held by her dad- too bad she wasn't looking :)
I love these old pictures.
Hipster G to the G
Each trip back to the states I seem to get a few shots of mom pushing our joovy (stroller) in a parking lot usually carrying coffee. Cute.
tag team
Give August a ball and he will be happy!
(He says "da!" for ball, and for dad :)
We only went to visit Granny near Lake Michigan once, but pics r out of order. What an amazing horizon.
Can you guess who took this picture?
(hint: look in the lens on your right :)
glad for walks
and hats
and sand!
"Mom, do something crazy!"
Since we didn't get dirty enough at the beach, we decided to bring granny back to Appleton to show her how it's done.
I'm so thankful for Granny in my life.
She makes boring things fun!
not sure why Cade was in his jammies at 4:30pm??
all who saw wanted to join!
Except these guys...
too busy playing catch with the "da"
Meeting new friends never gets old (but saying good bye is never easy)
My favorite sisters in the whole world!
Currently this kiddo isn't so happy as those gums are filling in!
Last meal together with Phil & Danielle (and baby Reuel!) before moving out of our awesome apartment.
We miss u guys!!!
Granny climbing up the jungle gym
multiple times
What goes up must come down!
Mom and I took a break on the bench and let granny give a few more under ducks.
big, green, tree occupied, animal filled back yards are awesome
Gampy pushing Viv back at the Gremores
Cade missing his side kick Sam and the competition that comes with their friendship
meanwhile... Leila got something on her leg
Viv looked way worse in person, or should I say better? (dirtier)
This girl has been making me laugh. She has a pretty funny sense of humor.
Can't resist the 4 generation picture
bros
our babies
The boys took a road trip to see the Brew Crew!
Fun to have a boys night out!
senior picture shot
play play play
all lined up and ready for dinner!
Finally- pictures from La Crosse!
This was our second day in town. We made "jiao zi" (pot stickers) with the Minards after staying at their house. The kids were pumped! We haven't had any Chinese food for 2 months!
Malana was a natural!
Natalia also had fun making her dumplings
Faith being creative with her dough
A trip to La Crosse isn't complete without a drive up to the bluffs! It is still as beautiful as ever.
dry or wet!
A view from the bluffs of UW-L where Josh and I met!
Where's Waldo Vivo?
our traditional pose
(only kidding)
So many deer on the way down!
The kids and I enjoyed cheering for Faith and Malana as they played in a soccer game coached by Amber!
Go CRCS!
Way to go Faith!
Nice job Malana!
Monkeying around with the Minards
We had a fun night of reunion at our faithful friends the Wikkerinks
Wish we had more time to play!
For 2 weeks we stayed in the pretty basement of our generous and fun friends Erin & Dave Kujak (and their great dog Lambeau!).
We felt well cared for and also enjoyed all the space during our busy weeks of coming and going.
All slept in a row on the floor with the exception of August who slept in a nice sized closet in a pack n play. Perfect!
It was a pleasure to enjoy a picnic with old friends from our M.arried C.ouples B.ible S.tudy!
sweet baby
We were all married in 2002... 12 years later...!!!
(still missing a handful from the picture)
Chavalas boys and friend and Golackson kids
Surreal! These boys were our kids ages when we first met 12 years ago!
"Mom! This is where I learned how to pump!" Caedmon remembered swinging here on a previous visit years ago.
I have learned so much about parenting with grace and truth and joy from watching Kimberlee parent over the years and listening to her great stories.
going for a ride
It was super fun to visit with our friends Josh & Lyndsey- who also have 6 kiddos!
makes for a great game of football!
So Randa (in the middle) was Lily's age when we first met her! Now she drives, texts and is thinking about college!
We all enjoyed hanging out with Randa for a day!
"Mom!!!" "What?" "I love this park!" -Vivi
We spent Memorial Day weekend with our dear friends Maggie & Evan.
Not sure what the name of this place is called anymore.. Maybe Myrick Eco Friendly Park? Whatever the name, it sure is a fun place to play tag...
hide and seek...
and animal hunt!
"Quick, lets get into trouble while mom and dad aren't paying attention, think, think"
rats, now we have to be in the picture!
someone had to be telling a corny joke
2 peas in a pod
enjoying life with loved ones
water! where's my board?!
all the kids are mingling at our feet :)
We have way too much fun with these guys. Thanks Maggie & Evan for your sweet friendship blessed by our Father!!
So besides reunions with good friends (and there were more, just not time for more pics!)
we took time to visit the doctor and dentist,
make forts at Lambeau's house
and visit Dr. Dave's office- what an amazing Orthodontist! (I almost wished I needed my teeth straightened!) All the kids got "Good Patient Awards" and 10 free tokens to Chuck E Cheese which we enjoyed afterwards!
Where did Broady go?
Oh, just looking for Lambeau!
We were only a 5-15 minute walk (depending on attitudes) to a little animal farm.
We have an animal lover on our hands!
(Last night at our yummy fish & pork chop dinner here in Monroe, Cade said to Hadassah "Hey Dass, did you know you are eating animals?" What a stinker.
We are currently in Monroe and are being blessed by living in Josh's mom and step-dad's house. We plan to stay here for 3 months and are thankful for another temporary place to call home.
Josh's dad with Josh
A HAPPY early FATHERS DAY to our DADS!!!
Gampy, Ye ye & Papa, we love you all so much!!
