{Craguns} One-Day Vacation

While on vacation we play in the sun all day long.

From Grandma to grandson everyone lives outdoors.

We dig holes to hide legs and turn ordinary plastic into king’s thrones.

Summer, sand, and sun all sing a song,

A serenade of no chores and sandy shores.

The only things left behind are the phones.

On vacation everyone is a kid again.

{Craguns} 2015

Every year, my cousins go to Craguns Resort on Gull Lake. I always get to go spend a couple days hanging out on the beach, playing with the kids, spending good times with family. This year I left my camera packed away most of the time, which was a refreshing break.selah_candace_rose_CRAGUNS_1 I spent more time talking with my cousins than playing with the kids. Late nights eating s’mores round the fire after the kids were in bed.selah_candace_rose_CRAGUNS_FISHERS Watching The Three J’s catch fish in all shapes and sizes!selah_candace_rose_CRAGUNS_FISH Watching a mama duck watch over her babies while they try to nap…selah_candace_rose_CRAGUNS_DUCK FAMILY And I played BINGO for the first time…and WON THE GRAND PRIZE!!!selah_candace_rose_CRAGUNS_2A mustang. 😀

What fun things did you do with your favorite people this summer? I’d love to hear!

He is Near

A few Sunday’s past, guest speaker Kyle Asmus spoke on Luke 24:13-35 and how God’s greatness is nothing without His nearness; and His nearness is nothing without His greatness. If you want to hear the message, click here.

Jesus Came NearThat same day two of Jesus’ disciples were going to the village of Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. As they were talking and thinking about what had happened, Jesus came near and started walking along beside them. But they did not know who he was. Luke 24:13-16

March of The Three J’s

How blessed we were this year for Katie and the boys to visit Minnesota first in February and then in March! The week was so warm that we shed our coats and sweatshirts and unpacked our sandals.

1Jordan is getting pretty good on the drums and Judah loves to cook! Judah made us scrambled eggs and helped make caramel rolls. Sam and Tyler came over many times to play with their visiting cousins. 2Just like February, March has some birthday to celebrate. 3While in town, it is always important to get the best hair cuts from Aunt Holly!hair cutsWhen the weather is nice and the snow is pretty much gone, where is the best place to find kids? At the park, of course!!parkWe went for a walk. We threw sticks in the river, trying to get them over the ice. The boys tried pulling up a tree. Jacob was so worn out near the end of the walk that he wanted to be carried to the car!walk1 walk2

How Time Flies

J3 is … three. How did that happen? It seems like this precocious bundle of laughs and lover of ice cream was just one. But I suppose things like this happen when a whole state separates us.

We had a day of joy, laughter, balloons, play dough, and ice cream to celebrate Jacob.

32Jacob LOVES ice cream. Near the end of eating the cake, he found the ice cream container left unattended…and finished it off! Good thing there wasn’t much left…cake5

The Three J’s Strike Again

Fun always happens in LARGE amounts when The Three J’s come to town. Jordan, Judah, and Jacob keep us busy laughing, playing and eating ice cream. Their last visit included Valentine’s Day, Jacob and Tyler’s birthdays, and President’s Day.

1Kristina was there vie Skype. We played with legos, making cities, train tracks, buildings, and ‘governments’ of the regular and special kind. The day before they left, we headed to a close hill and took the boys sledding! 76