Chicago bound!!

Here was the group of us, who made the trip down to Chicago in honour of my dear brother's and cousin's graduations from Mid America Reformed Seminary. It was a great road trip, although very quick!! My big regret is that my built in flash is busted, and although I had my bounce flash with me, I didn't have replacement batteries. So I don't have any good pictures of the graduation itself, which I am really sad about. Here's what I do have from the trip, completely out of order! This was as we were leaving:

We are so very thankful for Steve and Matt, and excited to see how God will lead. What a weighty calling it is to pursue the ministry, we pray that God will give them everything they need.

pardon my crummy pics of such an exciting event.

it was a beautiful, stormy sky that night!! This is the church where the graduation ceremony was held.
sweet, sweet Brian and Liz. SO kind of them to come all the way out.

How our family just LOVES this family. :)

the following pictures were taken at the picnic in the park, a dinner hosted by the graduates (Steve & Matt I think) for all who came to celebrate with them. It was great fun!

Sweet Sierra





Family friends from Wisconsin, who go way back in our family history. Mr. & Mrs. Ebbers (above) were great friends of my dad's family.

Wonderful Pastor & Mrs. Bout, so kind of them to come, too.
So nice to see Jeremy again! Too bad Kev wasn't able to be there (the graduation was on a Thursday night, unfortunately)

my back seat buddy (and her doting parents who must have sore necks after long trips :) )
the beautiful seminary! I had never been, it was so nice to visit. They hosted a delicious lunch on Thursday for all of the graduation guests.







Thats it for my pics, what follows are Louise's. Breakfast at the Marriott, always a hit, this one we could make not only waffles but waffles with chocolate chips and nuts and whipped cream (I know, that is nasty for breakfast but it was actually quite fabulous). There was also eggs, sausage, potatoes, vegetables, fruit and everything else they usually serve!
More delightful guests..

Steve's "hero" Pastor Anema & his family :)

Mom & her maid of honour (from Mom & Dad's 1975 wedding)

Dear cousin Matt & his amazing fiance, AnneMarie...I had hoped to do a post on their wedding from this past weekend but am running out of time now. NExt time!! What a beautiful couple!! So thankful for the way God provided.

the end!! Have a great week, all!!

ps. a BIG THANKS to those of you who took care of my kids so that I could go. I was so thankful to be able to be there!!

the ZOO!!

Zoos are amazing...to look in one field and see a rhino, a lion in the next, a tapir in the next (!?), a polar bear swimming around in circles and all kinds of animals in between!! "What an amazing Creator", is the theme that was going through my mind. Also, "poor animals"...especially the giraffes, who were cooped up in a tiny little cement pad and licking the rusty fences... no pictures of those!! Thankfully that was a temporary arrangement, I checked with the zookeeper. :)
First stop: Rhino
We went with our homeschool group, and stuck with Tim & Charlene & Sharon for the day.
what an interesting thing this is!







this looks rather heavenly but it is because my lens was all foggy, going from extreme cold to extreme heat. It was cold that day!!



The hippo was one of the top animals on Jaden's list. That and the arctic fox, for some reason. Anyways, he saw the hippo and said "Hippos aren't pink, they are grey!"...kind of funny that he supposed the real one to be wrong. :)


they have the grossest tails.






We LOVE Bethany!! happy birthday, sweet girl.










you can see Tim's reflection in the bottom pic, this thing was right up at the glass staring at Kevin. :)
Josh LOVED them.

another weird animal. :)


if you went to the Tundra Trek you probably saw this. The poor thing swam around in circles over, and over, and over again.

Timothy is quite a laugh to take pictures of. He has some crazy poses (most of which are yet unposted). Such a little Ralph. :)

I find camels to be quite hilarious. something about their teeth and lips, and the way they hold their heads up high. :)


tiring day for the little people...and the big people. :) What a LOT of walking!!

two cuties. :) What a great day!! NExt, up (eventually)..pics of my trip to Chicago!!