On the road again…destination: LaCrosse, WI!

The kids and I could hardly contain our excitement as we loaded up the car to visit Andrew in Wisconsin! Six weeks without him and we were all missing our man!

Gunderson-Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse paid for a hotel for our family for two out of our three night trip. The program fits really well with Andrew and he thoroughly enjoyed his time in LaCrosse and at the hospital!

The kids went wild when they finally saw Andrew!

The weather was beautiful for our sight-seeing weekend in LaCrosse.

Like a bee to honey, Andrew quickly evaluated the climbing routes.

The kids loved this bridge. And of course all the time with dad!

LaCrosse has a great children's park with “nature-viewing” trails next door. The trails took us through a beautiful marsh area where the kids loved counting turtles and ducks.

We had a fantastic time hiking, playing, swimming, eating ice cream, watching trains, walking, and the best of all, just being together as a family!

My adorable Princess and Firefighter!

Please excuse the plethora of Halloween photos of my kids… but seriously can’t help myself. Too cute!

The trick-or-treat crew!

Schwanna carve a pumpkin?

Had BS over for some pumpkin whittling and BBQ sandwiches. Good times! Elizabeth was more interested than years past but her personality shined through… she picked out one. seed. at. a. time! Alex, who I thought would dive right in, was very reluctant. After having to wash his hands each time he stuck a finger in the pumpkin, he decided to be done early.

And from Allison and Amy’s house comes my favorite Halloween pumpkin picture:

WOF 2009 Top 10 Memorable Moments

For my birthday weekend, I traveled with my small group plus some to the St. Paul Women of Faith Conference. Had a fabulous time with my ladies and at the conference! Below is the list Christy and Carrie came up with as our top 10 memorable moments. Maybe, just maybe, the number one moment comes from yours truly…

1. Directionally challenged drivers..."Rapid City here we come!" "Ahh...we're in the ghetto of the cities right now!" “What?! Another road closed?!?”

2. Yes, I do believe that my "Girls Next Door" t-shirt is JUST the thing I should wear to WOF!

3. Christy and Carrie's McDonalds drive-through or should we say "drive off."

4. Our death defying seats at the Xcel Energy Center.

5. "All the single ladies...."

6. Allison's hiccups.

7. IKEA!!!!!

8. "It's time for the cocoon!

9. Our friendly little Iowa friends in the van behind us while we waited to get off the exit to the Xcel Center

10. Late night bucket game fun

I love you ladies; you are all beautiful! Thank you to our amazing God for an amazing weekend, great friends, and His never ending, never failing promises.

See you all next year??