Picture postcard from the Ozarks!

We're back from a fabulous four days at the Lake of the Ozarks with some amazing friends.... this is just a sneak peak - more pictures to come!!!!

Back to laundry duty....

Congratulations, Matt & Amanda!!!

Mr. & Mrs. Paden

This past weekend we headed over to Omaha to join family & friends in celebrating the marriage of Matt & Amanda Paden!!! Amanda is Todd's cousin.... who has lived all over the world (Uncle Henrik is in the Marines) and by God's hand alone landed at Grace University in Omaha and met her special guy there!! We are so thankful to have had the opportunity over the past couple of years to get to know Amanda and couldn't be more happy for the two of them as they begin their life together.

Carter has always adored Amanda and it was an honor for him to be the Ring Bearer in their wedding on Saturday! (Uncle Henrik was quick to point out that Todd was the Ring Bearer in he & Aunt Tammi's wedding when he was about 4!).

The wedding was also a great chance to catch up on family - it was the first time a lot of us had been together since our own wedding over eight years ago!! The first picture below is Todd's grandma with almost all of her grandchildren & great-grandchildren!! And the second is of Todd's mom with her two sisters (left: Wendy and right: Amanda's mom, Tammi) and their mom.

We failed to get a family picture of the four of us, but Carter did a pretty good job taking one of Todd & I with Turner :)

All in all it was a great weekend - we are so excited for Matt & Amanda and thankful they'll be staying in Omaha for at least another year!!!

Congratulations to the Padens - may God continue to bless you guys!!!

Celebrating our Independence!!

We spent our 4th of July on the other side of our neighborhood at our dear friends, the Engels.

The evening began with dinner…..

Which was followed by a very entertaining fireworks show :)

It included tank wars….

Smoke bombs… and children not quite sure what was going on!

Then came time for Sparklers….

And a break for a group photo :)

Then after a quick run back to the fireworks store (the daddies were having quite a bit of fun!!) and putting the younger kids to bed – we enjoyed ice cream cones and the real show!!

You gotta love holidays and a good excuse to get together!!
We truly are blessed to live in a free country - definitely take it for granted!!

Thanks for having us Engel family!!!

Fishing with Grandpa T

There's nothing more fun for little boys than going fishing with their daddy and Grandpa T.

This was the first time fishing for both of the boys and they haven’t stopped talking about it since they went back on Memorial Day weekend!!

A big THANKS to Gpa T for suggesting it and enjoying it alongside of them!! We love you!