Winthrop and other stuff

Last weekend we went up to Winthrop to visit Lena and her family.

It was a lot of fun hanging out with their family. We went mini golfing, toured the area, visited the Herman the German monument, had a Nerf gun war in the basement, and played a hilarious round of the noun game.

Matt and Lena mini-golfing

Benji, Lena's brother really wanted to go mini golfing and he was excited to show us the pigs on one of the holes. You have to hit the ball into the mouth and it comes out the other end... 

Emily with the two pigs :)

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Sunday was really nice. I really love the atmosphere of a small church, they are so welcoming. I also can now check off yet another church. I am one church closer to making it to all 100 or so. :)


 Monday I started a three day job. I helped Shay, a friend of my aunt, clean out her house. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot. Shay is a foster mom so, I was able to talk to her about that and meet her case worker. 

Thursday and Friday I got up really early and walked beans. It was so hot. Friday we ran out of water and had to quit.  We still haven't finished the field.

I love the sound of thunder. I'm so thankful to finally have cooler weather and rain. 

In Christ 

~Michelle

and the livin' is easy

It's officially summer! :)
Lately, I've been busy doing a whole lot of fun random things.


Last week I babysat for Cecily. She is so stinking cute. 

jammies :)

little cuddle bug

Last Thursday, I went with Wendi and a few of the other bridesmaids to get measured for bridesmaid dresses. :) So, on top of all of the planning and stuff for Matt's wedding and reception, I also get to be in on a whole lot of excitement for Wendi's. It's going to be a crazy next couple of months. :)


On Father's Day we went on the Parade of Homes house tours in Peoria. There were some really cool houses but I still favor old architecturally awesome houses. For supper we ate out with Grandpa and Grandma, Jake, Kendra, Kandace and Kacie. 


Kacie spent the week here so we spent a lot of time hanging out. On Wednesday, we went to the pool with Jenny and Cecily. 

hat, sunglasses, bumblebee inner-tube... adorable :)

After church, we celebrated Kendra's 21st birthday. 

Kendra, me, Kacie, Daniel and Wendi, Kristin

Showing off our glasses of water :) 

Other then that, not much has been going on. I never did hear back about a job, so I've been helping my mom. I have a six day cleaning job coming up and I plan on babysitting so, I think I'll keep busy with that and odd jobs around the farm. 


In Christ
~Michelle

For you, padre

Well, Happy Father's Day to a pretty awesome dad.

Though he's slightly embarrassing at times, :) he's a whole lot of fun and a great godly example. 


:) The green text color is for you. 


So dad, though I didn't get you a generic sappy Hallmark card, I hope that your socially constructed holiday is a good one. :)




In Christ
~Michelle

Here and there and all over the place

Two weekends ago Jake and I drove down to Taylor for Greg and Diana's wedding. I got to see all of my Oakville friends. Brooke, Katie, and Kaylyn were all there. :) The wedding was cute and funny. I love it when the father gives the wedding service.


Last week was VBS. I helped with crafts. It was great fun. I got to paint all of the 3-year-olds' feet and then stick them on a stool that they had painted. It was a little chaotic. :)


Friday, Kendra, Clayton, and I drove out to Kacie's Graduation. It was quite the weekend. Saturday, the day of the party, started early with way too many last minute details. Rita, Grandma, Grandpa, Loren Pearl, Lori, my mom, and two ladies from Leo were all running around like crazy. The party turned out great though. The food was awesome, Kacie took polaroid pictures instead of a guest book, and the was a whole keg of 1919 root-beer.

getting the root-beer ready 

The quilt Kayla made for Kacie

the family relaxing

Congratulations Kacie!

In Christ 
~Michelle

San Diego

Two weeks ago after Wendi told me she was engaged, I bought plane tickets to California with her, Kendra, and Hannah, and Breana flew in from Indiana and surprised her family.   I flew out on the 26th through the 31st and stayed with the Wagenbachs. It was a short trip but totally worth it.

Sunday we went to church in San Diego, walked around the Poway lake, and played volleyball after church with the Fulops. We stayed up somewhat late talking around the outdoor fire place.

Beautiful day at the lake

Washington girls

Cuddled up by the fire

Monday was memorial day. We spent the day at the Torrey Pines State Park  beach. It was so beautiful and rugged. In the evening some of Lillian's family came over and we ate wonderful food and took a long walk down their driveway and back up again.

the beautiful Torrey Pines beach :) 

Wendi, me, Kendra, Hannah...the four travelers

view from the Wagenbach's house

 Tuesday was once again spent at the beach. We were thoroughly fried so, Wednesday we just went shopping, out to eat for lunch, and cooked supper before church that evening. After church, we went out for frozen yogurt.   It was incredible.

Moonlight beach

cooking supper :)

All the girls :)  

(this is a terrible picture, sadly it is the only one with all of us)

frozen yogurt

We stayed up late talking and I bid my farewells. Thursday morning I got up early and Lillian took me to the airport. I wish I could have stayed longer but, on such short notice I'm just glad I got to go at all. :)

Beautiful view of the Grand Canyon from the air.

It was a great trip to spend much needed time with great friends and take my last trip with Wendi before she falls off the face of the earth or floats away in the clouds...either way. ;) I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends and that the Wagenbach's were willing to let four girls crash at their house for a week.
We weren't always quiet. :)


In Christ
~Michelle