Hello everyone! It's been awhile! I wanted to post these pictures that we took when we went to visit in Minnesota for T.L.'s birthday but I couldn't figure out how to get stills from some of the video I took. I got some great video of the girls, Bean and Bug, swimming in Lake Superior! It was VERY cold, but they were very brave! Well, adventurous anyway! I will try to get that done and post them later. In the meantime, here are some from that day:

Bean and Bug were showing us their backpacks that were all ready for school.

Bug's frog notebook!

J.A. had given T.L. a special kind of corn snake for his birthday!

You can see it a little better here. ("I don't like spiders and snakes...." That's MY song! :))

Bean and Smidge having fun!

Bean and Smidge playing with the baby seat.

Grandma coloring with Bean and Bug.

The girls kept getting phone calls from their friends wanting to know if they could walk to school together, etc. They were pretty excited to go!

We went to the beach by J.A.'s parents home. The water was cold but it was beautiful!

J.A.'s injured ankle! She had sprained it pretty bad and had to have it wrapped.

T.L. and Grandpa kayaking on the lake.

The sun was very warm and it felt good just to bask!

Heading out again in the kayaks. J.A.'s parents let us borrow them for the day!

Smidge having a great time in the sand!

Yes, she DID get wet in the frigid water!

And here's the proof!

She and Bean BOTH went in and under the water to swim for short spurts, just to say they could! I was impressed!

Returning from the short trip on the lake!

Then it was MY turn! T.L. was SO patient teaching me how to maneuver a kayak! It was GREAT fun!

Dr. Grandma (J.A.'s mom!) checking out the injured ankle while Bean buries herself in the sand!

T.L. was pleased with his gifts and VERY pleased with this one! We gave him a new Packers shirt!

We had a great time, as usual! We can't wait to see everyone again soon. We plan to have a family photo taken again next weekend. It's been 2 1/2 years since the last one. Smidge and the new baby weren't even here yet, so it is definitely time to do it again! Will share those when we get them!

I hope you're all staying positive in the midst of all the negative things that have been happening! Remember that what you hear on the news is very rarely, IF EVER, the truth! Remember John 17:17: Sanctify them by thy word; thy WORD is Truth!

Have a wonderful and blessed week!

Shalom in Him!

Robin