How I Spent My Birthday

We took advantage of the beautiful day and took a trip to the Deanna Rose Farm. Since it's geared towards small children, the oldest 4 opted to stay home and do the dishes. Our kids have been there before but it was a new experience for John and I. It's a really nice place, there's animals to look at, pet, and feed.

Tractors to ride, ponies to ride, and yummies to eat. Best of all it's free.Guess who....Josiah doing the bunny ears again!

The reality hit me while watching young couples with strollers, chasing toddlers, that we are finally way out of that stage of life. And I don't miss it. I loved it while we were doing it, but we are now the parents of young adults and teens. My little guys aren't parented the same as when my oldest were their age. When our oldest kids were little we hovered over them and were so protective, I must have been a nervous wreck. So sorry kids. I'm still like a mother bear, don't be messing with my cubs, but we are so much more relaxed. For example, this horrible picture. I would have made them stay behind these flowers until they were all smiling like angels. Truth is...the sun was in their eyes and my camera battery was dead. I managed to eek this one more picture before it crashed. Thanks for the great day!

Peaceful Haven in Door County or Narnia

We stayed with a couple in Door County who let us take over their peaceful haven in the woods. When we pulled into the driveway Zach said, "We're in Narnia". It was truly amazing and what's even more amazing is the couple, Jack and Gail Haag, who built the entire place themselves, inside and out. They were very humble, generous, and made us feel so welcome. The kids were able to feed the deer, chipmunks, and Koi fish. Gail has trained the animals to eat right out of her hands.Chloe did it. Jack and Gail did all the landscaping of the ponds, building of the bridges, gardens with much detail. Jack has a knack for wood carving and building things. Gail has an eye for color and design. It was a real treat to enjoy the beauty of what their hands had made.

These are just a few of the birdhouses Jack has built. And Swingset.And the Church that's really a shed.We took advantage of the beautiful patio overlooking the pond and did our practice outside. Gail and Sarah. Jack was helping a Habitat for Humanity project that morning.

A headboard Jack carved. It would be impossible to show every detail of the work they have put into this house and the land, but we were entirely blessed by every minute of our stay there.

That was Then.....This is Now

Little did we know after honeymooning in Door County 20 years ago we would get the opportunity to move there a few short months later. That was then.....This is now.

We celebrated our 20 year Anniversary where we honeymooned. How fun is that? Our house hostess made this cake for us. She is a woman of many talents. More about that later.

While living in Sturgeon Bay we made good friends, Cory and Darla Dahl. Cory has pastored the First Baptist Church for 21 years, wow.

We ended up having our first babies together. The day they checked out of the hospital we checked in....to the same room. That was then...

We made our babies suffer through countless first time parents photo sessions. They were propped up as neither one could sit yet. At 6 months the fun didn't stop. I think she got his hair in that sitting.

They allowed us to do a simulated baby sitting 18 years later. This is now....

They're still cuties.

Door County ....... Part 4

Cave Point Park Our kind of park. Go climb and get dirty.

Dream big.....

Rod and Laurie, keep your eyes peeled. You never know where you might find a greeting.

Cleaning the sand out of the toes.

Door County ....... Part 3

Cana Island Lighthouse

A close up of the lens.

View from the top.

Door County ....... Part 2

Let's Go Shopping......

They Match

I managed this shop for a few months while I was pregnant with Zach....the smell of chocolate made me sick. I can't imagine that happening now. The store owner's employee policy was to try one of everything so you could tell the customers how good it was. I couldn't take advantage of that policy at the time.

Our little Chipmunk