Weekend in Peshtigo

Last weekend we went to Peshtigo for my twentieth high school reunion. I cannot believe it has really been that long! It was good to see some old friends, but even better to spend time with my parents.

This is a picture of Luke on the way there. ..

This is a picture of Luke on the way home... we did soo much, he was TIRED!! (that is chocolate frozen custard all over his face...I thought I wiped it all off...oh well)

We started our trip by meeting my parents in Green Bay and we went to Bay Beach, an amusement park on the Bay. The kids had SO much fun riding the rides!

Jake hit a few balls in the batting cages.

Then John and Jake rode a go cart. (Jake's first time!) It was fun cheering them on!!

Grandma rode the Tilt-a-Whirl with the kids. . . Caroline's favorite ride.

This was one of Luke's favorite rides. :) We rode on a little train. (we had to wait sooo long in line for that!!)

Caroline and Luke got to ride ponies. (Jake was a little too big for that!)

We rode the bumper cars.

Luke loved the bugs.

The low swings were a hit with Luke and Caroline. Jake rode the high swings (no picture) and he didn't like them very much. . .I guess it didn't help that Grandpa said, "I hope these chains hold OK!" right before the ride took off! Jake was very happy when it was over.

All three kids enjoyed this slide.

The next day, we went to see some really pretty waterfalls up by Grandma and Grandpa's cabin. The rocks were kind of slippery because of a little drizzle. This is a picture of everyone being "careful".
On the way back to Chicago, we stopped at Kopp's in Milwaukee and got some YUMMY frozen custard.

Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa Eckstrom, for a very fun weekend!!

A Day at Pottawatomie Park

Last week, I took the kids to Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles. We had a great time miniature golfing and riding a pedal boat on the Fox River.

We love the mini golf course there. It is so pretty with a LOT of cool water features.

Luke was serious about golfing this time. :)

Jake was the hero and rescued one of Luke's balls.Riding the pedal boat was fun and relaxing. The kids did really well pedaling and steering. I was relieved about that! :)

We had some bread crumbs with us to feed the ducks. As soon as we started throwing them in the water, we had instant friends. It was so funny. . .about 20 ducks followed us around wherever we went. We felt like the "Momma Duck" leading all the babies. Too cute.

We had such a great day. . .we will definitely do that again!!

Brookfield Zoo

This week we took the kids to the Brookfield Zoo.

On our "staycation" we had a conversation about how wonderful and amazing God's creation is. Looking at the animals really proves how creative our God is. The kids were studying the giraffe's spots here.

It is a tradition of ours to get Dippin' Dots ice cream every time we go to the Zoo. (every time we see them other places, I say, "no, we get that at the ZOO". . .they are expensive)

What a special treat. . .the kids enjoyed every dot!! :)

Speaking of dots, that dot on Luke's forehead is a mosquito bite gone bad.

One of my favorite animals is the polar bear. So beautiful.
We are hoping we never come across one of these! We couldn't believe the SIZE of it!!

Luke and Caroline enjoying an apple snack.

We had a GREAT time!!!

Koslosky "Staycation"

On Saturday after Jake's big win, we decided to have a "staycation" in our backyard. We heard on the radio (K-Love) that "staycation" was a new word in the Webster's dictionary, so we thought we would give it a try. It was SO fun!!

Here is our tent in our backyard.
S'mores!!!!Night swimming with the pool light on.John had fun playing Sharks and Minnows with Jake and Caroline in the dark. (We put Luke to sleep early in the tent. . .we couldn't believe how much noise he slept through. . . .LOUD West Chicago fireworks. . . we plugged in a white noise machine and put it in his tent, but still. . .)

In the morning, we had pancakes by the pool. . . .yummm.
We had a wonderful "staycation" and can't wait until we do it again!!

It was a blessing to spend time together as a family.

Champions

On Saturday, Jake played in the championship game. . . and they WON!!!! What an exciting game it was. The Rockies (Jake's team) were ahead 5-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning and then the Mets got three people on base. Jake was pitching and there were two outs, two strikes and three balls . . . the pressure! He threw a strike and the game was over!! Whew!! What a wonderful way to end the season. I will miss sitting at all those games and will be looking forward to next spring when it all begins again.

ROCKIES!!!

Caroline had a paper trophy all ready to give to Jake whether he won or lost the game.

Jake and his baseball buddy, Caleb Larson, a little bit nervous. They both pitched in the game and did really well under all of that pressure.

John kept the book. He was a little nervous, too. : )

We are so very proud of our Jake and we consider it a blessing to have been a part of such a wonderful team.

Favorites on Fridays . . . Like Oprah's "O" List, But Not Really

Jake's Favorite Song: Who am I? by Casting Crowns

It didn't surprise me when Jake told me this is his very favorite song.

Who am I?

That the Lord of all the earth,

Would care to know my name,

Would care to feel my hurt.

Who am I?

That the bright and morning star,

Would choose to light the way,

For my ever wandering heart.

Who am I?

That the eyes that see my sin

Would look on me with love

And watch me rise again.

Who am I?

That the voice that calmed the sea,

Would call out through the rain,

And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,

But because of what you've done.

Not because of what I've done,

But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,

A wave tossed in the ocean,

A vapor in the wind.

Still you hear me when I'm calling,

Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,

And you've told me who I am.

I am yours.

I am yours.

Whom shall I fear?

Whom shall I fear?

I am yours.