Meant to be

I dont often post photo's of myself in my blogs,
 but this time I will

Probably because I'm feeling so blessed to have such a special bond with these two young ladies.

My only daughter Brianna and her daughter Audrey.

I  often wish we could of given Brianna a sister, but then that would have meant she wouldn't have her brothers, and she loves her brothers. (and I love my boys) So when I found out she was having a girl, I was thrilled to know she had a little girl buddy... a daughter.

And what would Audrey have done if she didnt have Uncle Brice and Gavin, unthinkable!

This makes me smile....a lot

Jumping of the pontoon

She's only 2.... 

and she wanted to go out to the raft with her mamma to 

"jump in"

 So they floated out together with life jacket on

She couldn't get up there quick enough

as soon as she cleared the ladder... 

She launched herself off the pontoon

into her mamma's arms.

She loved it... 

and even went under the water without a sputter.

The first words out of her mouth after she came up...

"again"

 That's just what she did...

She went again and again. Such a joy to watch.

She's a water bug just like her mamma was and still is. 

It made my day to see another generation jumping off the pontoon

On the way back in to  shore. They stopped  and did a "fist bump"

Pine haven

Vacation continues.... I love this place. 

So many memories.

Love

Morning in Park Rapids

Quiet streets, full of cars by afternoon

there is parking in the middle of the streets

BEN FRANKLIN.....  Not many of of these left

 The famous "cuzzin's candy store"

Always our favorite stop for fudge and taffy

I found this in town....

ESPRESSO BAR (in my glory)

Came out with a 

Large Sugar-free Chocolate coconut Latte

mmmmmmm, the best   :)

Gav & Audrey

I hope to soon post some fun happenings from our week at "camp"

but here a little something till I can find the time to "Blog"

We are just having so much fun  :)

My son Gavin and granddaughter Audrey. 

Same picture, different years.

They are such good buddies

Words

In my home you will see many frames, plaques and photo's that have words on them. 

Some I have purchased others given to me by friends and family.

Words

Words that I aspire to

Words that i believe

Words that I try to live by

Words that I covet

Words that sustain me

Home is where your story begins....

"as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases

His mercies never come to an end

They are new every morning

Great is His faithfulness"  Lamentations 3:22-23

Family 

Faith*family*friends

"Blessed by the grace of God" 

(My)  "Blessings" 

"Hope" 

Live ~ Laugh ~ Love

Prayer

FAITH is when you close your eyes and open your heart

This and that

For Mother's day this year Brianna chris & Audrey got me a

 sweet little plant in a blue ceramic tea cup. 

I thought it was adorable and a nice accent to my deck

Well... that little plant has grown out of it's own skin and needed to be replaced.

Overgrown and pathetic

reminds me of Charlie browns christmas tree 

 My new replacement plant

A mum to get me through fall

I am the Keeper of the yard and quite proud of the fruits of my labor

for me that's a health weed free, green yard

 I  Picked this little birdie up at Kirklands yesterday

My pretties in the deck corner

I cant remember where I got this wind chime, but I really like it.

 It's made out of wood so instead of the high pitched dinging sound

 it's more of a muffled clunking sound.

 It's a peaceful sound  :)

~~~

Well it's now 9:00 pm, it's dark our here on the deck, but there's not a mosquito to be found and I'm enjoying the sound of my sprinkler in the back yard .
The crickets are keeping me company as well. 

It feels and smells like fall tonight...

I'm in heaven

Buddies

He was a "hands on" daddy.

Always thinking of fun things to do with the kids

and it's no different with his granddaughter.

 Audrey adores her grandpa. 

Tonight they had some one on one time while her mommy and daddy went on a date and

 grandma was out with the ladies. 

First stop, Menards to make some returns

(and play in the ball bin of course)

Second stop, IBM park to play

Back home again they continued to play 

Spotting Audrey for a "back flip" 

after the "back flip" she went on to do about 10 somersaults in a row

She makes me dizzy  :)

Been waiting all summer....

Our summer vacation for 22 years

Pine Haven 

One week from today, I'll be walking that familiar path to the beach.

 Fellowshipping with life long friends

Watching these two ... making memories

Kayaking and canoeing 

and... not sure what to call this (only Gavin)

watching my kids ski (that's Brianna)

Enjoying my brother and sis-in-law's boat

 Reflecting on great memories, fun times, family and friendships

Looking forward to  a good time....cant wait

Bridal Shower

My oldest niece is getting married in September and today 

"The aunties" gave her a bridal shower

The Aunties with the bride to be

Megan, the bride to be

(My Brother's daughter)

Mom of the bride (cindy) pouring water

Yummy food

My sis in law Michelle hosted the event

everything was beautiful 

Michelle

The girl cousins

Megan, Jensen, Alex and Brie 

Hanging out

Michelle, Brianna and Jensen

Megan's grandma (left) and future mother in law

They seem to be enjoying one of Megan's more intimate gifts

Megan got her husband meat beater 

Megan surrounded by family

Sis in law Kate, cousin Alex and Brianna

 Megan and Brianna are cousins only 4 months apart.

They tend to giggle when they are together

The bride to be with her banner of bows

Love you MJ... Cant wait for your big day :)