The gift that has kept me giggling!

My new coffee cup with this special Norwegian saying.  I tend to say "Oi!" but was reminded of "Uff Da!"  We laughed as we read each event on the cup in which this phrase is fitting to use...

Ever since...I have been blessed with some big "UFF DA!" moments.

1.  20 minutes into our trip home...a needed bathroom stop.

2.  2am Wednesday as Teddy woke up complaining of tummy troubles...and missed his bucket with the first blow.  Even though he is nine, he can't handle his sugar...still!

3.   Teddy used his new ax to chop off the unwanted growth from the stump...such a helpful kid! 

As he cleaned up his mess...he got stung by a bee.

4.  Alisa had a bird unload on her head as she exited the van today.

What you can't hear...is her sister's howling laughter from inside the van. 

What you didn't see...her attitude previous to this incident...very fitting!

Uncle Paul and Aunt Gail...thank you for the fun cup.

The Norwegian roots came out

and we made our way into the Norske Nook for lunch with the birthday boy.

The Happy Birthday Boy!

So serious...studying the menus and checking emails.

Teddy was talking with an accent like the walrus on Woody Woodpecker.

Not sure if his look is due to our beautiful rendition of "Happy Birthday"

or the prospect of the piece of Snicker Pie.

Butterfinger Pie.

Peanut Butter Pie.

With a forkful (or two) of each pie to taste...I really couldn't pick a favorite.  Full tummies made for a very quiet ride home!  Thank you, Uncle and Auntie, for choosing this place and reminding me of our Norwegian roots!  It was delicious...and we can't wait to visit Grampy and Grammy again...to try another kind of pie!

A Happy Memorial Day

What a beautiful day!

A steak dinner shared with new friends.

An apple pie that brought much excitement!

Oh, my, was it good!

Just a picture to show that we were there...taking it all in! 

A delightful afternoon and evening spent at Last Chance Farm.

Go ahead, call them..."Caaa-bossss!"

Poor momma cows were laying down resting...

but they came!

"Come on, Teddy, come sit with me and you can see the cows up close!"

"You ever been kissed by a cow?"

"My Dad says that chocolate milk comes from brown cows, is that true?"

The four month old jersey cows...with the biggest brown eyes!

Our new little friend telling us that "the calves don't like flies...they go up their noses..."

Here comes the milk!

Enjoying the beautiful setting and weather.

Ashlynn taking time out to read to our new friend.

We watched the thunderstorms roll in over the fields.

It was a rainy ride home to Grampy and Grammy's...

 

but the sun broke through and God put a double rainbow in the sky!

Time visiting and talking and laughing...

and talking...and talking...

and enjoying favorite snacks with our coffee or tea...

and talking.

Celebrating a ninth birthday at 10:30pm

Sunday night after church fun...with family...

"You know, Teddy, it is kind of late...we could wait until tomorrow..." said Aunt Gail.

You can tell by his look...he wasn't going for that.

The requested ice cream dessert...

with nine candles!

Oh boy...where to start!?

Presents!!!

His new Bible with some special messages.

Another late night...all of us were feeling a little funny...

Taco frito is a yummy late night supper!

A special Saturday trip

We dressed up and headed to the Twin Cities for the evening.

After a pretty drive and a tasty DQ supper, we made it to the church that was hosting a Singspiration with my Uncle Paul and Aunt Gail.

We were excited to share this experience with Ted and the kiddos, as they have never experienced ANYTHING like it!  We are guessing at the actual count...Ted said there was a seating capacity sign of 600 something and it was pretty full.  So many faces from long ago...when I was a little girl... 

Singing songs from the chorus book...I remembered every one and my family didn't know some.

Hundreds of people singing from their hearts...with energy, enthusiasm, joy, and many tears...something our children have never before witnessed.

Every Sunday night for 1 1/2 hours for 16 years, Fourth Baptist Church hosted Singspirations for the teens...and anyone else who wanted to join.

The Meeting In The Air

When We See Christ

The Longer I Serve Him...The Sweeter He Grows

In God's Green Pastures

Amazing Grace

And Can It Be

A requested trio...Uncle Paul, Dwight, and Cheryl singing "No Other Friend".

Uncle Paul and Aunt Gail have been serving the Lord for over 50 years...the last 30 in Canada!

Testimonies...Scripture...music...shared for two hours...and then fellowship.

  It was a late night with a rainy drive home.

It was a full night of blessing and refreshment!  And we would do it all again in a heartbeat.

I am so thankful that God gave us the opporunity to participate in this special event!

We needed this!

"The hills are alive..."

with the sound of bluebirds, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, bluejays, orioles, rooster, the water fountain, children, and dogs.

Loved seeing these girlies working together in Grammy's kitchen!  "It's fun doing stuff for Grammy!"

Reminded me of my sissy and I!

This also reminded me of when we were kids...playing Gram's piano.  So many different things to see and do...and the kiddos went from activity to activity.