Life In The Northwoods

     A couple weeks ago we bought a new car. We had decided that a 2 door and a car seat were a combination we didn't feel like dealing with if we could help it. It is a 2004 VW Passat and the newest car we have ever owned. It's a pretty sweet ride and we named her Stella, because every good vehicle needs a name. I'm looking forward to the backseat having someone special buckled in.

    Today, Luke got back to work on the roof. This has been one long project and slowly but surely, it is reaching it's end. Just in time for the changing of the seasons too.

     The first day of Fall is here and gone and the world around us is welcoming the transition. The leaves are starting to change and the crab apple tree in the front yard has already lost most of its leaves. I had a giant pot of chili bubbling on the stove today and relaxed on the couch for a bit this afternoon with a cup of creamy, hot cocoa. It's delightful and I love it. Happy Saturday!

"Life fails to be perfect, but it never fails to beautiful."~Unknown

Our Little Family

The first time I went up to Jackpine and drove through the tiny town of Williams, I remember thinking that it would be funny if we someday moved to Williams and had a baby boy and named him William. Because then he could be William Williams from Williams. Well, I have no idea if this baby is a boy and no intention of naming him William if it is, or moving for that matter. However, last year we stopped at the sign to take a picture and I decided that when we got pregnant I wanted to do it again. Perhaps this will become our annual family picture. Anyway, Happy Wednesday!

(Photo credits to Benjamin and Keren Pope)

Jackpine 2016

      There are a few events that happen every year and they are always some of my favorite times. One such annual happening is Jackpine retreat. For 40 plus years, my church has headed North to Williams, MN for a weekend of camping and fellowship. My Love has attended every year of his life, with the exception of 2 years. Once when he was 4 and his sister the Lovely Keren Ruth was born, and then the second year of our marriage when I happened to be a bridesmaid in a friends wedding the same weekend. This just goes to show what a treasured time of year it is.
     I have gone every year since we got married, except the year I was in my friends wedding. When I first moved up North for school and was getting to know the Williams family, they invited my brother Jordan and I to go with them. We declined, something that looking back, I now regret. Anyway, adventures are always had.
    This year our campsite included us, the Popes, the Andersons, the Murrays, the Johnsons, the newly minted Millers(Polly and Isaac) and Irindee. Our combined forces produced tasty food and some good campfire laughs.
     It was cool for most of the weekend which is perfect Jackpine weather. It was rather misty on Saturday morning, but it eventually cleared off. It was lovely.

The Popes. Mr. Ephraim and his sweet snuggles. 

The Andersons

The Murrays.

The Millers

 The Johnsons minus Derek who had to work. (Martha is one of Luke's sisters.)

Irindee and Mr. Ephraim 

Next year, Baby Williams will be a sweet addition to the fun. 

Nieces: Margaret and Mara

Sometimes you just need to pull down a dead tree. 

Luke discovered that fruit snacks were the way into Ax's heart. 

Playing with a chainsaw is apparently a LOT of fun. 

Travis and Luke

Martha and Irindee

  

The Lovely Keren Ruth

 Spool walking

 Nettie 

Ax found an Ax

 Our cozy campsite

Benjamin and Mr. Ephraim

The new Mrs. Miller and myself

 The Edwards Family(Anna is one of Luke's sisters)

Heidi and Mr. Ephraim

Blue eyed wonder

Benjamin and Matt

Matt and Madi

Adventures!!!

"Nature is the art of God." ~Dante Alighieri

"The world is round so that friendship may encircle it." ~Pierre Teilhard de Chardin 

Roadtrips, Pianos, and Life

      I spent today in my classroom cutting out locker tags, laminating things, and getting bulletin boards ready for the new school year. Tomorrow is the 1st day of my 4th year and that is just crazy. I'm looking forward to it.
     This weekend was lovely. Friday evening, we hit the road, heading south to visit my grandparents. My Grandpa and Grandma Shearer gave us their piano and so we made the drive in Roscoe, our trusty truck, to pick it up. I am excited about having a real piano, not just a key board in the house. Thankfully, my Uncle Rod showed up and was able to help get the piano moved. It went a lot smoother than I had anticipated.

Strapping the piano in. We then proceeded to drive around the rest of the weekend with this as well as a bunch of other stuff strapped in the back. We were cool looking!

While we were there we also had a picnic at the Oasis with my Aunt Ramona and Uncle Dan, it was fun seeing them.

      On Sunday we headed to Rochester for a quick visit with my family and then my lovely friend Polly got married on Monday. It was the most unique wedding due to the fact that during the outdoor ceremony we could hear the thunder rumbling and the clouds rolling in. And then the skies opened up and a torrential downpour ensued with monsoon winds and it didn't let up. The party carried on in groups in the barn and garage and front porch. All together it was an unforgettable wedding. I am so happy for Polly and Isaac.
   We caravanned home with the Lovely Keren Ruth, Benjamin, and Mr. Ephraim. That was rather fun and we stopped in Saint Cloud for pizza. So, a good weekend was had, and now 15 students are ready and waiting for school to start tomorrow. That is almost double the class size I had last year. Adventures!
     Oh and last week, Baby Williams decided to make an appearance in the form of a baby bump. If you didn't know before it's pretty obvious now!

Happy Tuesday.

"Enjoy the little things in life because one day you will look back and realize they were the big things." ~Unknown