Minnesota Visit- Liza Turns One!

We departed July 24th for Minnesota.  Driving our Ford Escape Hybrid for the first time on the interstate we set out with a goal to see how good the gas mileage could get.  This required slowing down up every hill and accelerating slowly.  What is normally a 10.5-12 hour drive turned into 16 hours!

Ok so it wasn't all due to cautious driving, we did stop to play and see some people along the way.  Oh and the gas mileage?  34 mpg.  Not too shabby.

Saturday the 25th we drove to Bemidji for the Birchmont golf tournament.

The picture below is from the qualifying round.  My sister Cydney, me, my college golf teammate Brittany, and my sister Heather.  None of us won unfortunately but we did manage to have a wonderful time.

These pictures are from the Birchmont website.  That's Tuff getting ready to tee off.

In green, my MN neighbor Brad, me in background, my brother Derek in black and Tuff in red.

My dad.  He won this year's masters division!

While at the Birchmont, we celebrated Liza's first birthday with family and friends.

The birthday girl with some of her loot.

Post mini cupcake "smash."

The picture below is from the birthday party preparations.  Liza's cousin Milo, who turned one the previous month, is explaining what a first birthday party is.

Liza and Grandpa.

My parents stayed in a cabin on Lake Bemidji and hosted the party.

MN neighbors Bobbe and Sarah.

While in Bemidji my friend Rachel drove over to see us.  Love her and her littles.

Speaking of Rachels, we got to enjoy breakfast with another beautiful Rachel!  Both Rachels were in my wedding party.  This was in Detroit Lakes on Big Flyod Lake.  Minnesota is the 'Land of Lakes.'

Most days were gorgeous and we played on the beach.  That's Liza and my college golf teammate's youngest Ainsley.

Liza, Tuff, Grace.

Keller and Liza.

Grace's first big boat ride.

After the tournament we only had two days back in Staples, where my parents live.  Grace pictured below posing as a golfer.

Keller pushing the girls to the pool.

Shawnee, our niece came along to Minnesota with us.  This was at our neighbor's pool.

 Milo and Liza.

Sisters and their babies.

Uncle Greg holding Liza.  A baby girl would look good in your future!

We headed back to Montana August 4th.  This time driving the Ford Escape "normally."  27mph.  Again, not too bad.  As if you haven't had enough, here is one more picture of our now one year old.

Hot July

We started off the month of July with my brother Derek and family traveling from Minnesota to visit!

Derek, Lukas, Soren, Bjorn and Mari.

Grace instantly took to Uncle Derek and held his hand at most every opportunity.

The minute they rolled into town, after traveling 11 plus hours, we went to a spray park!

Mari and the cousins.

Soren under the grizzly bear.

Do you see him under there?

Fourth of July the Wrights, Hasselbergs and Harris family drove to Laurel for the parade.  Super HOT (notice umbrella for shade) but fun for the kids.

Later that day we joined the Celebrate Freedom festivities. 

And of course sparklers back at home.

Everyday my brother and family were in Billings, we explored the field by our house either hiking or biking.  

Grace and Matt.

Family and God's creation; great way to end a day and the Hasselberg's visit.

July 11th and 12th Tuff preached at all three Faith Chapel services.

His sermon was titled Overcoming Fear.  You can watch it online here:

Overcoming Fear from Faith Chapel on Vimeo.

Mid July our partners in ministry, the Handall family, came to the area for ministry.  Usually it is only Yas, but this time he brought his entire family.

While in Montana, we let the Handall's use our blue Yaris, we lovingly named Luke Skywalker.  Remember last June, on the way back from our Minnesota vacation we hit a deer and totalled our green Yaris, Yoda Yaris?  Well...the Handall family hit a deer on the way back from South Dakota and totalled Luke Skywalker.  Yup.

Crunched.  Everyone safe!

And we have a replacement.  Chevy Cruze Eco, no name yet.

And on the same day our car was totalled, July 16th, our little Liza Love walked!

Additionally in July we had our first garage sale, partnering with a few other people.  I loved it.  A lot of work but it was really fun meeting people, giving them a great deal and making money.

Tough selling the furniture when the household sits on them, especially Luna on Elmo.

The picture below wonderfully summarizes our July.  Another glorious hot July day Grace and I on an adventure walk.

July 24th we journeyed to Minnesota.  That journey will be posted soon.  Until then...