Joel & Linda's Wedding

We went to Sonja's cousin, Darnelda's son, Joel's wedding yesterday.  Joel & Linda's wedding was on their ranch in Ackley, IA.  It was so beautiful!

Linda & Joel incorporated a tree planting ceremony in their wedding ceremony to symbolize their new marriage & the nurturing that will be needed to make it grow strong through the year.  It was lovely & they will always have that tree in their back yard as a reminder.

Karen, Mousa, Linda, Joel, Jessica, Joshua, & Sara

Linda & Joel Saleh

J.T. had a great time on the ranch.  We saw turkeys that "talked" to him, chickens, a very large pig, goats & bison.

J.T. found it was difficult waiting for cake time........

......but in the end it was worth it.....yum!  :)

Joel & Linda cutting the cake.

Mr. & Mrs. Saleh's 1st dance.

Lunch Cruise on the St. Croix River in Stillwater

Last Sunday we went on a lunch cruise sponsored by our church.  We had a great time!

J.T. & Great Grandma A eating lunch.

J.T. enjoying his cookie.

Uncle Todd, Great Grandma A, Nana, & J.T.

J.T. liked waving to the people on another boat that went by.

Labor Day Weekend Family Party

We had a family party at Leonard & Denise's house on the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend.  We picked apples so I could make some apple butter, played games, & celebrated Brenden, J.T., Nicholas, & Tyler's birthdays.

Uncle Todd & Maddie picking apples.

Nana & J.T. picking apples.

Luke picking apples.

Brenden, Andrew, Angela, Leonard, & Tiffany.......popcorn relay.

Kim, Jeremy, Maddie, Brenden, & Denise......popcorn relay.

Leonard (holding board), Angela, Justin, & Anthony.......water balloon toss.

Grandma A......water balloon toss.

Birthday boys....J.T. (2), Tyler (7), Nicholas (12), Brenden (11).

4th of July at Canal Park in Duluth

We were watching Evan, Luke, & J.T. over the 4th of July this year so we decided to take them to Duluth for the fireworks.  We spent a couple of nights at the Canal Park Lodge.  We all had a fun time!

Todd picked up his mom & we all walked down by the bridge to watch the fireworks.

We rented one of the double surreys from Wheel Fun Rentals & rode along the lakefront.

J.T. & Evan

Water fun at the Great Lakes Aquarium.

Throwing rocks in Lake Superior is always fun!

Free Indeed 2013

Maddie, J.T., Brenden, Tyler, & Nicholas joined us for the Free Indeed Celebration this year.  It was the last weekend in June.

J.T. really enjoyed his watermelon.  :)

J.D. is 16!

J.D. turned 16 on May 13th........so of course we gave him a car.................

...........and a gas card.  ;)

Up North for Our 7th Anniversary

We spent 2 nights in Grand Marais & 2 nights at the Grand Superior Lodge for our 7th Anniversary.

Todd on the shore in Grand Marais.

We stopped at the Temperance River on our way down to Grand Superior Lodge and walked down towards the lake.

Todd building a stone tower.

Sonja by Lake Superior

It is tradition to eat our anniversary dinner at Betty's Pies.  We always like to get chili cheese fries for an appetizer.  Yum!  :)