Pokagan State Park: Camping Trip 2009

For the last 3 years, we have been going on a camping trip with other couples. It has really been a great time to strengthen relationships for us as adults, and also for our children. This year, the group consisted of Erin & Joel, Andy & Jenna, Blare & Janel, Grayson & Tara, and us. (If you're counting - that's 10 adults and 11 children!!! AHHHH!!)

Once again, we had a fabulous time! (minus the spider bites on Nick's feet, Jessica's sudden headache and 2 boys with diarrhea.) We enjoyed lots of yummy campfire food, a hayride, about 30 minutes at the beach (before it rained), more food, a pony ride, food, bike rides, s'mores, HUGE fires (thanks to Nick, Joel, and Andy), a little outlet shopping, more food, ladder golf, and just plain good talks!

Thanks again for organizing this trip, Blare and Janel!

Enjoy the pics!

An attempt at a group pic....

The 2 "big boys". They had such a good time together!

Carter and "his girls"

Mason and I

Again, Carter and the girls....where's Brett?

The "little kid" wagon - so cute! How many children can fit in a wagon? Ask Nick or Andy - they should know!

Here's all the kids "planting their seeds"...Thanks for keeping them occupied, honey!

Oops, this isn't the camping trip. This was August's playgroup. SO fun!

Looking forward to Camping Trip 2010!! Maybe Group Camp?? We'll see!

State Fair

A couple of Fridays ago (I know...a little late posting on this...o well) We decided to visit the State Fair in Indianapolis. Grandma Fiechter, Lynn, Darla, Jalen, Gabe, me, Carter, and Mason all went. (Joni & Kinzie couldn't make it b/c of a shower in Ohio, and Kara had to work) We went (partly) to watch Chase's girlfriend, Lindsey compete in the horse show. We had a great time!

Lindsey getting ready for the first round!

Mason enjoying his first ever state fair hot dog! (Yuck!)

After we stayed at the State fair for most of the day, we went over to our hotel, The Renassaince Inn. It was a gorgeous hotel, (purchased at priceline.com - highly recommmended).

We ordered pizza in and ate it in the lobby at this super cool table. Our entertainment for the night was a Pakistani wedding going on the the next room. So interesting to see their attire and how cultural the wedding was even though the are living in America. We were down there for at least an hour and many, many, many guests had arrived and the groom was already mingling with them but the bride had not yet arrived...strange, huh?

After indulging in our Monical's pizza (yum!) We got suited up to swim!

This is the face I'd get when I asked Mason to smile...argh....

Gabe and Carter

This is what Mason wanted in the morning...not mommy, not Lynn, or Gma...Just Car-Car ;)

This is Lynn on her favorite couch. Brad - you should buy her one! Especially with the polka dot pillows! :)

We had such a wonderful time together. God blessed me enormously with such a loving, caring, helpful, and fun family-in-law!

(I'm going to be catching up here on our many outings from the end of this summer...stay tuned!)

Basement Progress Update #3??

It has been a while since I've updated about our basement! I guess I'd call it: pure laziness! (and a lost camera for a little over a week!!!!)

Well, Steve has been working extremely hard and.............the basement is completely drywalled!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY! We hired a crew to come in and finish the drywall (as in mud and tape it) b/c if Steve did it all on his own it would take weeks! So we got a few estimates and decided to go with JDH construction. (I think that's what they call themselves...)

So here are a few updated pics...

Steve is working on the closet and the view is into the unfinished room

This is the closet again all framed up and 1/2 drywalled

This is the large room all drywalled

This is looking into the living room. That beam was supposed to be really skinny, but we didn't like it so Gma Fiechter suggested making it into a small wall - LOVE IT!

Well, this is it for now. Hopefully there will be another post of primed walls and paint colors soon! Also, check out my side bar and vote on our poll!!!!! We can't decide whether to do rounded drywall corners or square corners. The price is the same.

Get 'em while they're HOT!

The Dutch Delight 4 cookbooks are HERE!

Aren't they beautiful? Great job, Jenna & Brooke!

The cookbooks are $15 apiece and all of the profit goes directly to the
World Relief Sewing Group.

We are soooooooooooo extremely excited! Here are some exciting pics from the "delivery day".

These pics are fuzzy...I think Carter has been touching the lens...Argh...

Jane and I were so excited to break open that first box! All of our work - pd. off! ;)

I have personally tried several of the recipes and we've LOVED most of them! Thanks again to everyone who helped make it possible, either by submitting recipes, or helping with the production! We hope to make a nice profit for the World Relief Sewing Group.

It was great working with Fast Print, Inc. in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They did a great job helping us along the way, and the finished product looks fabulous! Thanks Dan and Dawn!

I know I have sooooooo many people to thank for helping us with this, but as I look at these pics I remember Sarah from Salt & Light for arranging someone to pick our books up (saved us $500 buckaroos!) Also, to Jim Fiechter, Gene Reinhard, and Eric Tonner Sr. for picking them up! Then to Brad & Josh Fiechter for "filling in" for our husbands when we were unloading! We thank you all and God Bless!

Happy Anniversary!

Today is Nick and I's 4th wedding anniversary! But this really means that we have been together for 5 1/2 years! I love you so much, honey! God has surely blessed our marraige ~ and I pray that He continues to bless us! You are an amazing Godly husband and father. Much love!