Photo Friday {Northfield}

This is a typical night in Northfield, Minnesota.  At the Culvers.

Texas doesn't have Culvers.  That's a very sad thing.  But at least we have Chick Fil A.

I think these grandparents should be happy.  To get these 7 gorgeous grandkids out of their 2 children.

Their frozen custard is very yummy.  My fav is plain ole vanilla with raspberries.

I'm seeing a baby bird.

This one loves his grandma.

Uncle Bryan is their only uncle.

And Aunt Tess their only aunt.

1.... 2.... 3.... 

All 7. 

Thanks Northfield and Culvers for a great night!

Photo Friday {Mandy & Jesse}

Wedding bells are about to ring for Mandy and Jesse.

I volunteered to take their engagement pictures because they are trying to stick to a budget.

It's a strange thing.  Taking pictures of people who do exactly what you tell them to do, who hold still, and who have a never-ending amount of patience.  I'm so used to taking pictures of my kids.  This was a whole new world.

(this is where they always sit in church)

You know you have a quality couple when they want most of their pictures to be taken at church.

I'm still getting to know Jesse (and think he's wonderful), but I've thought Mandy was an old soul since I met her in her very early 20's.  

Whenever there's a way to serve, she's the first to volunteer.

She doesn't need to be noticed.  She's hard working.  I especially like her because she's a nurse and we can talk about dressing changes and catheters over dinner and it doesn't bother either of us.  

I could go on and on.

But suffice it to say, Jesse found himself a good woman.

Inside and out [Isn't she gorgeous?].

These were taken at the spot where he first told her that he loved her.

Lots of giggles reliving the moment.

Congrats guys!

Photo Friday XX

Don't you love your kids' expressions when they watch television?

They look so sweet and innocent.

In this picture, you can tell just how bad of a haircut his mother gave him.  I fixed that tonight, but we'll see how it looks when he wakes up.  Maybe I made it worse.

He watched Cars for the first time the other night and shrieked with joy for the first 15 minutes.

I think I could stare at those big brown eyes and blonde hair forever.  But he probably won't want me to when he's 13.  Probably won't give me a hundred kisses a day either.  These 2's aren't so terrible after all.

Photo Friday XIX: Facing the Giants.

The Giants.  The Mighty Giants.  We had quite a season (so did the SF Giants against the Rangers, boo!).  We were first place at the end of regular season play.  Then there was one playoff game we almost lost 3 times.  We played 3 extra innings.  As the home team, we had to match whatever points they scored.  It was so intense, this mother had to walk away for awhile, telling myself (out loud) that this is just little league and whether or not they win or lose does not matter in the grand scheme of things.  When I came back, they had won.  Problem solved.  Ultimately they lost in the championship game.  Asher burst into tears.  Graham was solemn and quiet.  We had been telling them all season, that win or lose, we do everything, including baseball, to show the world what God is like.  That's a hard reality to grasp when you are a very disappointed 7 & 8 year old boy.  But maybe one day it will sink in.  Here are some photo highlights...

An extra-fun Saturday when such important people in their life come to watch.

This was taken after all the tears.  Hard to muster up smiles for 2nd place.

Best buds.  Teammates.

It was a great season, boys!

P.S.

This is where he spent most of baseball season.

And this is our bathtub after a night at the fields.

Gross.

Photo Friday XVIII: Fall Ball Memories

Get ready for picture overload.  Some nights at the baseball field, just when I get over my exhaustion of getting everyone dressed and out the door, which includes LOTS of steps... like packing dinner, water bottles, things to keep Nathan occupied, each one's certain glove, bat, and helmet, diapers, wipes, and last but not least making sure that all these things are still in the car once you have put them in there because it has taken you so long to put them in there that the kids may have pulled them out and started playing with them again.  Whew!  Anyway, once we are there, I realize how precious these days are, and feel a little like the mother Mary, "treasuring up these things and pondering them in my heart."  Four boys.  Two teams.  They are growing so fast.  I know when I am old and gray, I will have forgotten about how long it took me to get in the car, and only remember these sweet images.

He always picks #7 because of Joe Mauer.

So fun that Daddy is his head coach this year.

Jopie quickly became the team mascot.

He did pretty well for being 3, almost 4.  His one flaw is that it took him about 5 minutes to run to first base, but he ran as fast as his little legs would carry him.

It take a village to get him in his catcher's gear.

But once he is there, he couldn't be cuter, or smaller.

His position most of the season.

Getting his championship medal.

Congratulations Orioles.  Undefeated (well, one tie) and winners of the ULL fall season.  I might have had more pictures but there was a monsoon approximately 30 seconds after this picture.

This will have to be a "to be continued" post.  Giants photos to follow!